12/21/24
December 04, 2004
New Members: As the new member count is climbing the behavior of new members seems to be declining.... [mi]
posted by geekyguy to navel gazing at 11:50 PM - 88 comments
Well, I for one loved the one man melt down.
posted by NoMich at 11:59 PM on December 04, 2004
Some of the new members are exceptional, but yeah, there are a couple of morons. I remember when pivo showed up, he posted about six front page posts and a hundred comments the first day... now he's a fantastic old-timer. I have hope for reforming the LRODs out there, but it's not going to happen if they think we're "just hatin'."
posted by dusted at 12:56 AM on December 05, 2004
Don't ask me. All my experience is with medicine journals. Maybe I was a little harsh in that thread, but I still felt that I was addressing a valid (if minor) concern, and it wasn't met with any sort of reasonable response. The occasional meltdowns can be funny, but their authors tend to produce much more noise than signal. Still, this is what passes for sports discussion in most of the world. I get the feeling the most significant thing we can do is up the s/n ratio by posting well ourselves.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:12 AM on December 05, 2004
I agree, there should be more women with bare breasts...
posted by StarFucker at 03:35 AM on December 05, 2004
Dusted makes the, (second), most pertinent point, (behind SF) - I'm sure we were all just cranked with enthusiasm when we first joined SpoFi, but if any attempt to quietly point out, for example, that four FPP on the same subject at the same time isn't great, is treated as a personal attack and responded to as such, (shouting "You just hatin'" with fingers in ears), then there's not much hope. Thankfully, my own enthusiasm is tempered by my dominant lazy gene. While I have you, though, John, I have this fungus between my toes...
posted by Mr Bismarck at 05:03 AM on December 05, 2004
There's definitely something in the air this morning. Beatings will continue until morale improves. If you're a new member here, SportsFilter has generally been more friendly and laid back than sports message boards. Try to avoid the urge to playa hate. As for old members, please avoid MetaTalk-style callouts in threads, especially when someone's etiquette is the issue. Unlike MetaFilter, we don't want the behavior of individual members to be a topic of discussion, because that always turns into a Pacers/Pistons game. Tell the founders by e-mail and we'll deal with it.
posted by rcade at 08:35 AM on December 05, 2004
That's all very well rcade, but where do we go when you're being an arse? This is nowt compared to the shitstorm going off at MeFi with the opening of the membership. I'm sure our glorious founders will wield the banhammer if anyone gets really out of hand. Anyway, take a chance to poke fun at the n00bs. That is, after all, what they're for.
posted by squealy at 09:05 AM on December 05, 2004
I'd just like to announce that my behavior will be declining with the increase of new members (-1:1).
posted by yerfatma at 11:28 AM on December 05, 2004
Under normal circumstances, you could go to the six other founders when I'm being an arse (I prefer the term asshat). However, I run the money and am about to run the server. I'm also the only one reading the admin board lately, from the looks of things. So that's a potential trouble spot for the future -- my fighting moves are unstoppable. I used to wonder what MetaFilter would be like with a less centered person at the helm ...
posted by rcade at 12:33 PM on December 05, 2004
SpoFi has jumped the shark.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:07 PM on December 05, 2004
You want some admin help rcade? I'm sure some of us old-skoolerz would be willing to help. Any clue where this influx is coming from? Did SpoFi receive some press lately? Seems higher than normal.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:15 PM on December 05, 2004
I'd bet the traffic is coming from people just doing searches for big sports news (like the Atest thing) and eventually finding their way here, and want to discuss it. The one thing that gets me about LROD is his/her constant defense of "don't like it--don't read it!", while totally ignoring the community standards. Why can't we say "If you don't like the community standards--don't post on the community board!"? I say this knowing full well that I've never posted a damn thing. No leg to stand on and all that.
posted by LionIndex at 03:32 PM on December 05, 2004
One drawback of the open front page of SportsFilter (or MetaFilter) is that new users are completely on their own when posting on it. If you don't know (or don't care to know) the community standards, you can get hammered. I've thought that it might be a good idea for all posts to require two sponsors -- the original submitter and a second member who approves it. The seconding members would be people who've been here a year or more, or some system like that. That way, if a new member like LROD gets criticized for a front-page link, there will be at least one old member around who can defend the decision to choose it.
posted by rcade at 04:32 PM on December 05, 2004
FWIW, I don't mind the cut-n-paste news posts so much, but the Artest multi-posting was pretty annoying. LROD seems like he's trying to become our Postroad.
posted by LionIndex at 04:37 PM on December 05, 2004
I hate Postroad...
posted by StarFucker at 04:45 PM on December 05, 2004
Postroad is my hero...
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:58 PM on December 05, 2004
If the Locker Room becomes the new MetaTalk, we're lost. That said, LROD has demonstrated a willingness to engage, and I think we need to capitalize on that. Requiring a "second" on posts would be Front Page Poison. I think we can live with a member who copies right out of AP.
posted by rocketman at 06:18 PM on December 05, 2004
Growing pains. I'm sure as we get bigger we'll start to get members who are use to more, um, typical sports discussion. They'll learn, or go away. We've had several members who joined and posted without seeing the need for a link, or linked back to their own site, and I don't think they're around any longer. The cream rises, I'm hoping.
posted by justgary at 08:41 PM on December 05, 2004
I'm with justgary. Besides, just don't respond. Though I can't say I always rise above it.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:31 PM on December 05, 2004
In my defense, I posted my first link three months after I got here, and have only posted three in the 14 months I've been here (I always get beat to stuff I would post, guess I'm too slow). 6-ish comments my first week. I think I am being confuesed with someone else, but I appreciate the fantastic old-timer compliment if it still stands :)
posted by pivo at 10:22 PM on December 05, 2004
Shit, maybe it was Weedy... my memory sucks. You can keep the compliment anyway.
posted by dusted at 10:42 PM on December 05, 2004
dusted, it may have been lilnemo or forksclovetofu. I was thinking the same thing. They started out super-enthusiastic but "non-compliant with community standards" posts. I don't think I saw any assholish comments from them, just lots of posts in a row, or GIANT posts. And their hearts were definitely in the right place. We joshed them, they took it with good humor, and have gone on to carve out their own unique niches (Sport or Not?), and contribute to the richness that is the SpoFi. So, I say let's not add any barriers. A few cutting remarks from the old grumps, a n00b-bashing session in the Locker Room, rounded up by some Monty Python jokes and, of course, Ralph Wiggum-isms, and everything will be right as rain. This festive season, I ask everyone to just step back, take a deep breath, give everyone a little benefit of the doubt. And I raise my glass to you n00bs, you old-timers in training. Cheers.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:03 AM on December 06, 2004
I think i'm going to cry...
posted by StarFucker at 02:11 AM on December 06, 2004
Fuck it, dude, let's go bowling.
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:21 AM on December 06, 2004
You brought the fuckin' Pomeranian bowling?
posted by dusted at 11:21 AM on December 06, 2004
This is not Nam. This is bowling. There are rules.
posted by mbd1 at 11:33 AM on December 06, 2004
I told that kraut a fucking thousand times I don't roll on shabbas.
posted by lilnemo at 01:05 PM on December 06, 2004
I didn't bring it bowling...It's not taking a turn...I'm not buying it a beer. It's a show dog; with fucking papers.
posted by LionIndex at 01:08 PM on December 06, 2004
Three thousand years of beautiful tradition from Moses to Sandy Koufax, you're damn right I'm living in the past!
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:14 PM on December 06, 2004
Hate to break up the quotes, but I couldn't resist. It still brings a tear to my eye. ahem. resume... Fucking Quintana--that creep can roll, man--
posted by lilnemo at 01:16 PM on December 06, 2004
Eight year-olds, Dude.
posted by yerfatma at 01:52 PM on December 06, 2004
lilnemo: Eight nine posts? Shut the fuck up, Donny!
posted by dusted at 02:08 PM on December 06, 2004
you're out of your element
posted by garfield at 02:17 PM on December 06, 2004
D'ya have to use s'many cuss words?
posted by lilnemo at 02:27 PM on December 06, 2004
What the fuck are you talking about?
posted by LionIndex at 02:36 PM on December 06, 2004
Don't be fatuous, Jeffrey.
posted by dusted at 02:41 PM on December 06, 2004
This is what happens when you FUCK a STRANGER in the ASS, Larry.
posted by lilnemo at 02:41 PM on December 06, 2004
My art has been commended as being strongly vaginal. Which bothers some men. The word itself makes some men uncomfortable. Vagina.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:59 PM on December 06, 2004
You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don't wanna know about it, believe me.
posted by rocketman at 03:02 PM on December 06, 2004
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm once they seen Karl Hungus.
posted by lilnemo at 03:03 PM on December 06, 2004
It's a complicated case, Maude. Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what have yous. Fortunately I've been adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug regimen to keep my mind, you know, limber.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:13 PM on December 06, 2004
I'm as Jewish as fucking Tevye.
posted by lilnemo at 03:15 PM on December 06, 2004
Where are all these quotes coming from? It's unpossible!
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:04 PM on December 06, 2004
You're out of your element Donnie worldcup.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:23 PM on December 06, 2004
Where are all these quotes coming from? It's unpossible! Obviously, you are not a golfer.
posted by mbd1 at 04:30 PM on December 06, 2004
As the new member count is climbing the behavior of new members seems to be declining Hmmm.
posted by gspm at 04:47 PM on December 06, 2004
AM I THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO GIVES A SHIT ABOUT THE RULES?
posted by yerfatma at 05:01 PM on December 06, 2004
Hey, relax man, I'm a brother shamus.
posted by dusted at 05:21 PM on December 06, 2004
Phone's ringin', Dude.
posted by LionIndex at 05:38 PM on December 06, 2004
Hey, relax man, I'm a brother shamus. You mean, like an Irish monk? Is that some kind of Eastern thing?
posted by LionIndex at 06:02 PM on December 06, 2004
Nihilists! Fuck me. I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos.
posted by sauril at 06:04 PM on December 06, 2004
I'm Performing my dance quintet--you know, my cycle--at Crane Jackson's Fountain Street Theatre on Tuesday night, and I'd love it if you came and gave me notes.
posted by lilnemo at 06:11 PM on December 06, 2004
Yes, Walter, I think there is a hidden message here. It's "FUCK YOU, WALTER, LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!" Yeah, I'll see you at practice on Wednesday.
posted by jbou at 06:11 PM on December 06, 2004
You pull any your crazy shit with us, you flash a piece out on the lanes, I'll take it away from you and stick it up your ass and pull the fucking trigger til it goes "click".
posted by lilnemo at 06:15 PM on December 06, 2004
Hey! Careful, man. There's a beverage here!
posted by pivo at 06:38 PM on December 06, 2004
He fixes the cable?
posted by mbd1 at 07:09 PM on December 06, 2004
Dammit Worldcup, I googled one quote and it came back Big Lebowski. Get a grip on yourself! You weren't even trying! *dramatic mock slap across the face*
posted by jerseygirl at 09:06 PM on December 06, 2004
we interrupt this quotathon to bring you the following link dump. strikes and gutters: part one, two, three, four, five, six
posted by goddam at 09:10 PM on December 06, 2004
Baby Jebus! I go to Vegas for three days and look what the fuck I come back to! Let's all grab our own asses and get some composure, okay?
posted by billsaysthis at 11:56 PM on December 06, 2004
Aw, c'mon billy*, can't we have a little lovefest for the only movie I own on both VHS and DVD? *done intentionally to antagonize, since I wasn't in Vegas Now: Keep your ugly fuckin' goldbrickin' ass out of my beach community
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:38 AM on December 07, 2004
They peed on my fucking rug.
posted by dusted at 12:59 AM on December 07, 2004
The Big Lebowski was painful to watch. I've seen Beau Bridges play too many long-suffering drunken fools. Good gawd.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:39 AM on December 07, 2004
I've never seen it. But now I must. It sounds like my dream film.
posted by JJ at 04:00 AM on December 07, 2004
I've seen Beau Bridges play too many long-suffering drunken fools. I've got some terrific news for you. Unless you're going to hate on Jeff Bridges too (and then you probably hated Lloyd as well). And that I won't stand for. The Dude is one of the few original characters (well, I'm sure he has predecessors, but still) in American Film. And Jeff's also got a solid body of work behind him. Or did you forget Thunderbolt & Lightfoot? Am I to understand everytime a thread is micturated upon in this fair site, you're going to be pissed?
posted by yerfatma at 06:52 AM on December 07, 2004
JJ - i recall reading an article on a Big Lebowski festival of sorts in the Guardian last year. which might further whet your apetite for a film that holds such reverence for many.
posted by gspm at 07:18 AM on December 07, 2004
C'mon! No quotes about having to hit the ATM?
posted by NoMich at 08:02 AM on December 07, 2004
...across this line you do not -- also, Dude, Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature.
posted by mbd1 at 09:38 AM on December 07, 2004
goddam, thanks for the linkage...
posted by garfield at 11:57 AM on December 07, 2004
C'mon! No quotes about having to hit the ATM? "Brandt can't watch though. Or he has to pay a hundred."
posted by yerfatma at 01:24 PM on December 07, 2004
That's marvelous.
posted by LionIndex at 01:27 PM on December 07, 2004
wunderbar
posted by garfield at 02:07 PM on December 07, 2004
Fuck it, I'm watching this movie again tonight. In fact, I think I'm going to leave work right now to do so. I'm sick as shit anyway.* * - just in time for my trip to Key West.
posted by NoMich at 02:39 PM on December 07, 2004
Sorry but I saw TBL and for the most part its wonderfulness went whoosh right over my head. I mean, I thought it was an okay movie but not on the level that many of you seem to put it. So, of course, I never recognize the quotes when they appear here or on MeFi.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:23 PM on December 07, 2004
I thought it was an okay movie but not on the level that many of you seem to put it. Well, you know, that's just like, your opinion, man.
posted by LionIndex at 03:48 PM on December 07, 2004
I never recognize the quotes when they appear here or on MeFi That had not occurred to us, Dude.
posted by mbd1 at 03:58 PM on December 07, 2004
bill, ever visit maryjane's joint? ever paint the town green? ever toke the bhange? TBL's appeal has a strong correlation to anyone who answers 'dude?! of course' to the previous questions. it is also stylistically retro-chic in a 'i dig neon-lights' kinda way.
posted by garfield at 04:04 PM on December 07, 2004
and it has a Busby Berkley-esque musical number dream sequence with viking horns and flying... what's not to like?
posted by chris2sy at 04:30 PM on December 07, 2004
bill, ever visit maryjane's joint? ever paint the town green? ever toke the bhange? TBL's appeal has a strong correlation to anyone who answers 'dude?! of course' to the previous questions. I've done those things (long, long ago), but I don't think that has anything to do with my enjoyment of the movie, since I certainly didn't enjoy the herbal experience. I do like that a lot of things in the movie happen for no real reason (i.e. what do the Stranger and Jesus have to do with anything?), and that there's really no point to the whole thing. You don't learn anything from watching Lebowski. It's just a really dumb movie about really dumb people, that's done very, very smartly. Note the occurrence of items from the movie in the dream sequences, and the re-using of lines. It's almost as intricately detailed as a Wes Anderson movie, but it just seems harder to notice that.
posted by LionIndex at 06:56 PM on December 07, 2004
Lebowski sucked...
posted by StarFucker at 07:29 PM on December 07, 2004
See? yerfatma: Sorry, I was hating on Jeff, not Beau. Beau is fine (we actually don't see too much of him). And Jeff was great, I think, in shows where he isn't a doddering drunk. Like say, in that horse racing show, what's the name? And, man, you had to LOVE Lloyd for his turns in Airplane (the only show to make me piss my pants). But Big Lebowski sucked. Really. I just didn't like it. Doesn't mean you all don't love it. I just didn't like it.
posted by worldcup2002 at 08:05 PM on December 07, 2004
The Big Lebowski is the Coens' take on Sam Spade/Raymond Chandler, where The Dude is the detective. It makes the movie that much weirder, that much better. I think rather than just dope smokers, it takes a certain worldview to appreciate the movie.
posted by rocketman at 09:46 PM on December 07, 2004
Saw an ad last night for a new Wes Anderson movie, where Bill Murray and Owen Wilson are trying to hunt a shark or something. I can't remember the name...but it looked good.
posted by mbd1 at 07:49 AM on December 08, 2004
mbd1, Life Aquatic
posted by usfbull at 10:49 AM on December 08, 2004
Dudes, you are really tripping me out.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:16 PM on December 08, 2004
The Big Lebowski is the Coens' take on Sam Spade/Raymond Chandler
I'd say that The Big Lebowski is the Coens' take on Robert Altman's 1973 The Long Goodbye, which was his modernized, pot-heavy, LA take on Sam Spade/Raymond Chandler. (It's more trippy and less funny.)
posted by kirkaracha at 12:15 PM on December 09, 2004
Well, that makes me want to see The Long Goodbye even less (Elliot Gould? The '70s had some great ideas about shaking things up, but that ain't one). My favorite Chandler book.
posted by yerfatma at 06:41 PM on December 09, 2004
I'm certain that we have some, (many?), new members who are well behaved and make thoughtful posts/comments are able to take criticism without turning a thread into a personal pissing match. But what about those that can't? I feel like a place that I used to go to get a feel for what others thought about sports and the politics around them has been taken over by neighborhood bullies that if you even try to politely correct them they get extremely irritated and the thread gets derailed. . . I'm also certain that I am just venting but I hate to see members like rcade/DrJohnEvans/yerfatma get attacked by . . . who the hell are you?