If anyone could flame from beyond the grave, it is he. Erik Naggum was a young programmer and Usenet philosopher who exemplified the new breed of smug Lisp weenie. His hatred for Perl, C++ and XML fueled his Olympian rants. He was cruel, but smart; he was articulate, but he used arguments ad hominem; he left a trail of scorched earth, but he had devoted friends. I didn't know him, but I enjoyed his expression of free thought. He died young after years of torment; R.I.P. [more inside]
posted by e.e. coli on Jun 21, 2009 - 72 comments

Like a hole in the head, like an old Onion link, like an outburst of cholera, MetaFilter needs these custom-made Flames. But some of them are hilarious. And anyway, as has been posted before, we didn't start the fire. [Flash needed for this latter golden oldie. Via Linkfilter. NSFW.]
posted by Carlos Quevedo on Apr 20, 2003 - 8 comments

Are Your Posts Perchance Too Mealy-Mouthed And Polite? Do you have difficulty getting your points across? No problema! Have The Burn Maker translate your drippy hippy sentences into flame-throwing heat-seeking missiles that will get you the attention you crave and deserve![I wouldn't be surprised if this has been posted before - but I certainly couldn't find it...]
posted by MiguelCardoso on Apr 7, 2002 - 82 comments

World's Greatest CEO? Comparison shopping site MySimon.com had its namesake character animated by Blur studios, and placed into a live-action commercial where he goes to a party and tells everyone how much cheaper they could have gotten various items in attendance. Apparently Frank DiMauro of Chapel Hill, NC didn't like the commercials and told the CEO of the animation studio who really could've cared less what Frank thought. I wish all CEO's had the nutz to reply to jerks like this guy. (Thanx to the Digital Pimps at BadAssMofo for this story and link).
posted by suprfli on Jul 1, 2001 - 30 comments