MetaFilter

Tax Tip: Incorporate and pay yourself with dividends. That's how you get around the "contract employee" tax burden in Canada.
posted to MetaFilter by blue_beetle at 8:54 AM on October 3, 2014

If you take a job that says, "We will pay you as a 1099 employee", and you don't know what that means, then you damn well better figure it out, to make sure that you understand your responsibilities, and what you will and will not be getting from the employer.
... and god help you if you're an immigrant, a single parent juggling multiple jobs to keep food on the table, or a part-time student who's already busy with a courseload and doesn't have time to read up on... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by bl1nk at 7:35 AM on October 3, 2014

This is like some guy telling you how he won an argument with the television one time.
posted to MetaFilter by Segundus at 4:51 AM on October 3, 2014

I finally got a chance to watch this properly (downloaded HD clip instead of on my phone), and my God, it is so much deeper than I first thought. It isn't just weird for weird's sake, or a snarky jab at the show's decline. It's profoundly tragic and horrifying.

It's clearer once you make out what Homer Homar is saying. When his consciousness first arrives in the year 10,535 ("Epasode Numbar 164,775.7"), he calls out: "FAMILY... MEET ME... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Rhaomi at 12:18 AM on October 2, 2014

Historically there would have been a bloody revolution in this nation by now. But the 1% have studied their history and figured out how to keep the poor -and now the middle class - docile and living a life resembling one of wealth while ensuring a penniless death - easy credit.
posted to MetaFilter by any major dude at 10:45 AM on October 1, 2014

Funny story! We had one of those loans, like, 10 years ago or something? Something like that. Anyway, we had one of those sub-prime loans for the car with a remote shutoff. We forgot a payment. They shut it off. Suddenly the car wouldn't start and I was stuck in a parking lot somewhere.

We didn’t realize what had happened and had it towed to a mechanic. He said “there was a problem with your remote starter, it was keeping the car from starting.” We said “we didn’t... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by edheil at 9:59 AM on October 1, 2014

A new model is needed to understand addiction

How about this one?
posted to MetaFilter by Obscure Reference at 6:29 AM on October 1, 2014

I found this weirdly moving.

It reminded me of the Jonathan Lethem short story "Five Fucks".
posted to MetaFilter by painquale at 1:16 PM on September 29, 2014

Whittaker:

Ugh, what's that piano piece in the memories section? It's on the tip of my tongue.

I believe it's Chopin Nocturne Op.9 No.2.
posted to MetaFilter by Nerd of the North at 2:31 PM on September 29, 2014

I should want to cook him a simple meal, but I shouldn't want to cut into him, to tear the flesh, to wear the flesh, to be born unto new worlds where his flesh becomes my key.
posted to MetaFilter by dr_dank at 12:07 PM on September 25, 2014

I'm still amazed that Jack Handey is a real person's actual name.
posted to MetaFilter by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:44 AM on September 25, 2014

Interesting thought experiment: What if for a month or so (maybe even a year; whatever time period you want) the divisions of law enforcement charged with arresting and prosecuting white collar crime switched places with the uniformed officers across the US. Sort of a law enforcement Wife Swap, if you will. I have a feeling the net effect would be quite positive.

"But sir, we can't arrest him! He supplies high-quality pot to half of New York! There'd be riots... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by TedW at 5:42 AM on September 26, 2014

For a little reality check, there were 1.24 million road traffic deaths in 2010. (Edit: estimated and projected deaths, that is)

Maybe aviation is safe enough, and we should be applying those resources elsewhere?
posted to MetaFilter by underflow at 8:27 AM on September 20, 2014

One of my favorite comments, by kyrademon, reproduced from a very long thread: In the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Trajan, my legions were attacked by the Calibri in the hills of Helvetica. The canny tribesmen made their assault before we could reach and lay siege to the city of Gentium, thereby rendering useless our trebuchets and high towers.

My couriers soon reported that the Calibri, as was their normal habit, had assembled a force of light cavalry, clad in... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Shohobohaum Za at 5:08 PM on September 8, 2014

The machine perspective: They're Made Out of Meat

"They're made out of meat."

"Meat?"

"Meat. They're made out of meat."

"Meat?"

"There's no doubt about it. We picked up several from different parts of the planet, took them aboard our recon vessels, and probed them all the way through. They're completely meat.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by jaduncan at 2:20 PM on September 16, 2014

I want tech companies to get their shit together before they make the leap from just being on screens to being everywhere around us.

One of the things that has occurred to me in the course of discussing self-driving cars is that, instead of waiting for you to make a reservation to hire a car for the day, car rental companies could partner with other businesses and send the cars out to follow people around and shout suggestions at them of possible... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by XMLicious at 4:13 AM on September 16, 2014

There should also be laws requiring photo-id inspection for anyone going to prison. It would cause irreparable injury to send the wrong person to prison, after all.
posted to MetaFilter by If only I had a penguin... at 12:11 PM on September 13, 2014

The class war is never over-- the rich need the rest of us to create the capital that they accumulate. If we refuse to do that for them effectively, they melt like March snowmen.

There is no "war," merely cycles of power. Treat people well enough, and they'll tolerate capitalism's raw deal. Let your greed and hubris go too far, and the little people will bristle and eventually they'll force a change. Then the people who own the means of production start boiling... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Mayor Curley at 8:58 AM on September 13, 2014

You know, if we're going to go down this path anyways... Can anyone explain to me what the actual point of having cops at schools non stop during school hours is? A lot of schools that aren't of the "omg dangerous we have and totally can justify and need metal detectors!" variety have them, to the point that it's just regarded as a normal thing now i guess.

My school didn't have cops or shitty rent-a-cop security guards and we were fine.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by emptythought at 6:25 PM on September 11, 2014

This, so much this.

"Walking is the Western form of meditation: “You’re doing nothing when you walk, nothing but walking. But having nothing to do but walk makes it possible to recover the pure sensation of being, to rediscover the simple joy of existing, the joy that permeates the whole of childhood.”

I walked 350 miles this past summer and 200 miles the previous summer and it is absolutely joyous.
posted to MetaFilter by bluesky43 at 8:33 AM on September 6, 2014

The best thing to do during a mandatory psychiatric evaluation is to keep quiet. They are only going to use your responses against you if they don't like you. Just keep quiet. Don't even move your head for "yes/no" answers.

Call a lawyer as soon as you are able to and wait quietly.
posted by Renoroc at 3:38 PM on September 1 [1 favorite −] Favorite added! [!]

I really don't like the fact that I've... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 3:54 PM on September 1, 2014

The next logical step for anti-choicers will be to petition to have fetuses legally classified as corporations.

Well if they're going to be people, they should go first class.
posted to MetaFilter by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:14 AM on September 2, 2014

It sounds like you have flaky friends. This is not an IT problem. I'm closing this ticket.
posted to MetaFilter by uncleozzy at 7:47 AM on September 2, 2014

Some basic principles everybody should agree on:

1) it costs you nothing to ask before reclining if somebody is bothered or hurt by it
2) If you need to recline because you'll be in pain otherwise, tell the person behind you
3) The same for if you would be in serious pain if somebody reclined their seat
4) Engaging in an action that cost somebody else serious pain is a dick move
5) The responses to 2 and 3 will tell you... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by MartinWisse at 9:21 AM on August 27, 2014

The real question is why the fuck do airline seats even recline anymore? The recliner mechanism must cost money and add weight; why don't they just dispense with it?

It's a pretty good scam when the airline can sell you a seat that's too small for you and get you to blame one of the other passengers.
posted to MetaFilter by straight at 8:46 AM on August 27, 2014

I do not understand the obsession over that last scene, at least from those agonizing over whether he died at the end of it. I thought it was pretty obvious that we were being shown how Tony has to live his life. Every person that walked through that door could be an assassin or it could be a member of his family. It was presented perfectly, who cares if he dies or not at the end, that isn't the point.
posted to MetaFilter by zzazazz at 10:36 AM on August 27, 2014

I would boycott BK, but I already do, because I have taste buds.
posted to MetaFilter by entropicamericana at 11:45 AM on August 26, 2014

Best comment from the original source: "What do we pour on people for concussion awareness?"
posted to MetaFilter by TheWhiteSkull at 9:37 AM on August 20, 2014

This is too much like warfare to be beautiful to me - lights coming in at that speed to a city? Seen enough footage of urban bombardment that I can't escape a shudder.

Which is a shame.

A long time ago, I was at an event in the top-floor bar at the Park Lane Hilton, overlooking Hyde Park, late one evening in London. It was a busy event and I'd had a couple of beers and talked to people, but it was also a PR event and I'd had enough of beer and... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Devonian at 4:47 PM on August 19, 2014

Cats! They don't love you like I love you
Cats! They don't love you like I love you
Ca-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ts
Cats...they don't love you like I love you!
posted to MetaFilter by Iridic at 3:10 PM on August 19, 2014

I prefer slangoliers.
posted to MetaFilter by The Great Big Mulp at 3:11 PM on July 24, 2014

So about 12 years ago or so, my partner-at-the-time worked in development for the Museum of Broadcast Communications and they were having their 15th anniversary (I think), and as part of the "gala event", there were many celebrities (there was also a hall of fame induction) in attendance and they were all going to be introduced to the waiting crowd as they walked to their tables.

And since Don Pardo was there, obviously, he was going to do the announcing of... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by MCMikeNamara at 8:11 AM on August 19, 2014

I think it's a bit overblown, partly because I've not not read much Shapiro. Quite a few great authors--including those that contributed great memoirs and diaries--had prolific social-media habits via post and calling cards. Sometimes daily correspondence took up hours of the writer's life. We forget that prior to the telephone, there was an entire etiquette demanding short written responses in acknowledgement of life events, announcements of having arrived in the same city, and status updates... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by CBrachyrhynchos at 1:34 PM on August 18, 2014

This is really only a distinction if you believe in free will.

I'd say I do, but then, it's not really my choice, is it.
posted to MetaFilter by mrgoat at 6:07 AM on August 18, 2014

I think this is going to make it easier for me to fight cravings for shortbread and muffins. Its like I'm fighting against the will of an occupying army.
posted to MetaFilter by Slackermagee at 5:17 AM on August 18, 2014

Also, I always wanted to start an indie band called The Life that sang about the importance of proper footwear for lower leg health.

"You know this band The Life? They'll change your shins."
posted to MetaFilter by drjimmy11 at 6:12 PM on August 14, 2014

Christ. Every cop nation wide needs to be wearing a camera at all times.

"But Rialto's randomised controlled study has seized attention because it offers scientific – and encouraging – findings: after cameras were introduced in February 2012, public complaints against officers plunged 88% compared with the previous 12 months. Officers' use of force fell by 60%." - Guardian... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hypersloth at 2:53 PM on August 12, 2014

In Defense of Black Rage:
Why are police calling the people of Ferguson animals and yelling at them to “bring it”? Because those officers in their riot gear, with their tear gas and dogs, want a justification for slaughter. But inexplicably in that moment we turn our attention to the rioters, the people with less power, but justifiable anger, and say, “You are the problem.” No. A cop killing an unarmed teenager who had his hands in the air is the problem. Anger is a perfectly... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by scody at 2:15 PM on August 12, 2014

Calico is a project designed to make 40-50 year old billionaires stop aging. Anything else they discover along that road is nice but ancillary to their primary goal.
posted to MetaFilter by 2bucksplus at 7:29 PM on August 12, 2014

According to the last visit to the vet, my cat's name should be It Hurts When IP.
posted to MetaFilter by louche mustachio at 11:39 PM on August 9, 2014

It's not really hysteria if the cops really are going around killing people for selling cigarettes.
posted to MetaFilter by ryanrs at 6:28 PM on August 9, 2014

but.. but.. no Josh Saviano, nor any explanation why ?!?!?

In his biographic profile at Morrison Cohen LLP, Joshua D. Saviano, Esq., B.A. Yale 1998, does not deign to mention the even name of the "Emmy-award winning television show" in which he co-starred during his first career as a child actor, before he embarked on his true vocation, corporate intellectual property law.
posted to MetaFilter by Doktor Zed at 12:06 PM on August 8, 2014

Went there for the first time in 1978. Was a little bit under the drinking age. The waiter asked me how old I was.

When I was about 16, I tried to get served at a local college party. They had students checking IDs and giving wristbands. The guy asked me "How old are you?" I said, 19. "When were you born?" "19 years ago!" He thought that was funny, and gave me a wristband.

stay in school, kids
posted to MetaFilter by thelonius at 12:52 PM on August 4, 2014

Hmm-- just click and hold, then move the mouse around. BOOM.

Is it weird that this is the first example I've seen that really brings home how much javascript has improved in speed? :)
posted to MetaFilter by Static Vagabond at 8:25 PM on August 3, 2014

The amount of harm done to the United States by its own intelligence community is worse than what our supposed enemies have done. If they are not getting paid directly by Al Qaeda, they are missing a good opportunity.

We killed 100,000 people and wasted 2 Trillion dollars because there were no WMD.

We tortured people.

We obliterated the Fourth, Fifth and Eighth amendments.

We destroyed our moral... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Repack Rider at 7:22 AM on August 2, 2014

So we are pretty confident that new energy, new devices, new materials, and new ways of communicating or computing are not in the cards.

I don't know where you got that idea. The search for the Higgs Boson is extremely important because it's an attempt to understand what mass is, and why different particles have mass, and how much.

Which could lead to us learning how to do controlled conversion of mass into... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Chocolate Pickle at 11:12 PM on August 2, 2014

I'll take a shot.
It's possible that science and technology offer diminishing returns on investment or even endanger the well-being of the planet.

Animals wreck the environment too. Thousands of times in our planet's history, one species has destroyed another just doing what it is that they do.

Unique among animals, we are able to do this on a large scale, jeopardizing many species at once.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by JHarris at 8:41 PM on August 2, 2014

Few foreigners have seen the crater in the heart of the Karakum, one of the world's largest deserts, although Turkmen authorities are hoping to change that as they seek ways to bolster tiny visitor numbers to the former Soviet republic.


Here's a thought; they should build a highway to the crater to improve access. They could call it...well, you know.

(Or else the Bon Scott freeway)
posted to MetaFilter by TedW at 7:58 AM on August 3, 2014

This is funny, on many levels.
posted to MetaFilter by quarsan at 11:13 PM on July 28, 2014

In addition to public sector revenue, for the private sector, there's basically a substantial industry already waiting in the wings and real money is already being spent to build out the infrastructure. The delivery service I use is about to expand to add statewide overnight deliveries. You can be sure that the capitalists funding this have bigger things in mind. These people are already making so much money that it kind of staggers me to do the math on their business even based on some likely... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by feloniousmonk at 7:24 PM on July 27, 2014