12/21/24
August 02, 2006
There aren't limits...: but maybe there could be. This is gonna sound a little nutty, but is it altogether out of the question to think of amending the posting guidelines to suggest brevity as a virtue?
...or at least, if what you write contains nothng sports-related?
posted by lil_brown_bat to editorial policy at 08:04 PM - 71 comments
I respectfully bow out. I find Hugh's example far less egregious because it suggests some attempt at a thesis, an outline and a plan, but maybe that's just where my sympathies lie. Then again, I may be burnt-out by trying to have a reasonable discussion here.
posted by yerfatma at 08:26 PM on August 02, 2006
I don't know. Mjk posted that at the tail end of a thread that was already littered with shit. That thread and the Faith Day Thread should get together and go bowling. Brevity should probably take a back seat to courtesy and clarity. At least mjk made a point of linking to sources that helped him to make a point. Probably. I don't know. I just sort of skim those really long posts.
posted by Samsonov14 at 08:55 PM on August 02, 2006
I've read plenty worse than this. I can't possibly see how you can limit ones post. Some people in this community have plenty to say and if we start setting limitations on posts, responses, etc., then we may miss out on some very worthwhile discussions. The topics in question are sure to raise some people's ire, passion and discontent. I, for one, would much rather have them say thier piece than cut them off. Often times posts that start out sports related will veer off topic, and while some will disintergrate into incomprehensible rant, others turn into quite engaging discussions. Please forgive my spelling and grammar...I have had a few glasses of wine and a couple of martinis.
posted by willthrill72 at 09:12 PM on August 02, 2006
I, for one, would much rather have them say thier piece than cut them off. Well, hurray and all that, but is it too much to ask that if people are going to write a fucking book, it should be at least peripherally sports-related, and if they're going to write a fucking opinionated book, it should be both a)sports-related and b)a column? Not a comment in some other thread? Not that I expect anything like this to actually happen, since far more basic quality-improvement proposals have been shitcanned...
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:29 PM on August 02, 2006
if they're going to write a fucking opinionated book, it should be both a)sports-related and b)a column? It's real simple... If you don't like what someone has to say, ignore it and move on. We're not talking about trolls here, we're talking about discussions that get off topic and turn into personal views. I just think it's kinda hard, if not impossible, to draw the line when the time comes to bring people back into the loop and on topic. Let them say what they have to say and let the community reel the post back on topic if need be. Besides, isn't this site all about people's opinions?
posted by willthrill72 at 09:43 PM on August 02, 2006
It's real simple... If you don't like what someone has to say, ignore it and move on. It's not the content, will, it's the length. It's the screen-plus length. In other words, it's even simpler than you think. But thanks for the condescension.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:49 PM on August 02, 2006
I wasn't trying to be condescending. Why must everything turn into a battle with you?
posted by willthrill72 at 10:15 PM on August 02, 2006
I wasn't trying to be condescending. Why must everything turn into a battle with you? I spoke about length, only length. You responded as if it were a complaint about content, and said, "It's real simple," which comes across as rather patronizing. I will accept your statement that you didn't mean it that way if, for your part, you will consider withdrawing your criticism of something I didn't even say ("If you don't like what someone has to say..") as well as your subsequent snark ("Why must everything turn into a battle with you?").
posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:51 PM on August 02, 2006
Sure LBB, we could put it in the guidelines, but I doubt it would do anything. And it seems like a pretty isolated example, not to mention that there have been longer comments in the past that have been fantastic (grum, weedy, etc....) You say it's not about the content, but from my pov that's the problem, it's not about sports. And that's a problem that would be easier to solve with guidelines.
posted by justgary at 11:24 PM on August 02, 2006
Not a snark...just an observation. I'm not going to continue going back and forth with you. You are always right and anyone with a differing opinion is in the wrong. I concede your victory. Congratulations.
posted by willthrill72 at 11:26 PM on August 02, 2006
Heaven forbid ... a thread might actually generate some "real world" conversations ... OMG. Seriously, sport does not happen in a vacuum. The thread in question was already peripherally sport related anyway, which was kind of what I intended with my post. Sometimes, at least in my opinion, a little context or perspective really makes the sports-related conversations better. I haven't gone on too long, have I?
posted by Spitztengle at 11:37 PM on August 02, 2006
Guh? 503 words is "a fucking book"? We need word limits on comments now? I seriously don't get this, esp. in the context you're trying to frame this, LBB. There are a whole lot larger fish to fry 'round here than length of a post, especially when it contains, mostly, decent punctuation and grammar, plus some supplementary links. Color me confussed, and nothing personal, but I just don't get the seeming need that you have to go lilbrownbatshitinsane every once in a while in the Locker Room. Maybe you should take the offer to mjk to join MeFi and make an advance MeTa callout.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:56 PM on August 02, 2006
Maybe you should take the offer to mjk to join MeFi and make an advance MeTa callout. Shit, sorry, that was jerseygirl. I still stand by the rest of my post.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:06 AM on August 03, 2006
Well, I haven't been a member here all that long, but I don't see a need for a word limit. It is fairly natural that some conversations will turn to off-topic subjects, but is that a bad thing? Obviously this is a sports related site, so discussion of sport is the primary aim, but I think that the freedom to go slightly off-topic is something that can make a site a better place in the long run. And the length of a comment shouldn't be an issue. imo of course.
posted by Fence at 04:15 AM on August 03, 2006
I spoke about length, only length. it should be at least peripherally sports-related You spoke about length, and you spoke about content. And if you take what Will said as condescension, it's no wonder you have to go stomping off this site every so often swearing to never come back. You haven't been exactly immune to the odd long post yourself when someone gets your back up - or better still, when someone is in error and you can throw that back at them. That, combined with your complaint about people writing a fucking opinionated book, is a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black. Petty wrangling aside - limiting the length of a post is pointless - if someone is determined to rant, how hard is it to post two (or three, or four) limited posts in a row?
posted by JJ at 05:42 AM on August 03, 2006
I'm as guilty of the occasional long post as anyone. Sometimes, they're necessary and useful, and frankly I'd rather that than an endless string of hundred-word snippets or something. But content, I think, is a problem. You could type War and Peace into the little text box, but as long as it stays on topic, at least nominally interesting and above the belt, fair play to you.
posted by chicobangs at 07:25 AM on August 03, 2006
I'm tempted to yawn, here. Don't give the guy so much attention, and the dubious essays will stop soon enough. [/broken record]
posted by qbert72 at 07:46 AM on August 03, 2006
i tend to agree with you willthrill72, i haven't been Spofi long either but i have noticed in my short time here that if I or someone posts a topic or a thread that llb or jersey girl doesn't like , they bring the hammer down. My thought is, if you don't like the posted subject or thread, simply pass over it. It doesn't get much simpler or easier than that.
posted by ptluigi at 07:55 AM on August 03, 2006
There's always a reason that threads get deleted, ptluigi and it's usually because it's been discussed or old news (as with your Raffy thread yesterday) or some other guideline issue. If the Pantheon agrees, it gets deleted. And trust me, I've had threads I've created get trashed and deleted too. Its not because lbb and I don't like it.
posted by jerseygirl at 08:11 AM on August 03, 2006
jerseygirl, i do appreciate you telling me that. At first, i thought you might be my exwife following me. (just kidding, of course). But seriously, i do thank you for the post
posted by ptluigi at 08:36 AM on August 03, 2006
Actually the ex-Mrs ptluigi employed me to follow you around the interweb and nag you. She pays me handsomely. In seriousness, don't know how new membership works now as far as what new members are directed or required to read (so please don't take this as being snooty towards you at all) and it seemed like what I mentioned may have been new to you, but there are a couple of places you might want to browse when time permits.
posted by jerseygirl at 08:45 AM on August 03, 2006
You know, it strikes me that given how what I've said has been misinterpreted, there's very little I could say to make matters better now. I raised a question, that's all. I'm sorry I got into it with will, but "it's real simple" did strike me as somewhat patronizing; maybe y'all would have a totally different impression if someone said the same to you. I don't think it merits the slew of "you always and you nevers", culminating with an accusation of being part of the jerseygirl censorship cabal. The irony is rancid rather than delicious. I admit that, as problems go, length of comments is far after spam, bigotry and general stupidity, none of which we seem able to do anything about except by hand-moderation (and I use "we" advisedly because I'm not part of that, nor do I even have a vote). It would, indeed, be rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Let the band play on.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:50 AM on August 03, 2006
I have a cabal? I didn't even know. Are we unionized?
posted by jerseygirl at 08:51 AM on August 03, 2006
The irony is rancid rather than delicious. But what of the irony of you complaining about long comments? I still don't see the objection to long comments. We had a couple from the guy who was a mountain climber or wilderness guide or something who popped into a thread about him. I welcome a long comment like that. It feels like your objection is actually about the content and not the form and everything else is dancing around that because you're too polite to come out and say, "I think this member is an idiot and I'd prefer fake history lessons be posted elsewhere" or whatever your actual objection is.
posted by yerfatma at 08:58 AM on August 03, 2006
I have a cabal I read that thing, some pretty wierd shit in there. I tie a red string around my wrist just like my hero, Madonna.
posted by HATER 187 at 08:59 AM on August 03, 2006
qbert, wise words. I hope I didn't litter too much, but I've been blocked up for a while and needed to squeeze.
posted by garfield at 09:08 AM on August 03, 2006
Remember when SpoFi went down for five days? That was much, much worse. Ah, I don't even dislike mjk - I just don't agree with him. But we, the elite, as I like to think (you know, the ones around here everyday) are getting dangerously close at times to being content specific tight asses. Folks, it's a forum that occassionally (but so far never aggregiously) goes outside of its intended parameters. And we're bullies sometimes, too. And occassionally we're just plain assholes to new people. (Which sometimes I don't mind and sometimes actively participate in.) Anyway, I guess my point is we don't have to be so vigiliant that we turn into a bunch of condescending jerks. Jerks suck, dude.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:23 AM on August 03, 2006
But what of the irony of you complaining about long comments? I'll freely cop to that. Your response, as well as your earlier one, were the kind of answers I was looking for when I asked this question. But no, it was about the length. See, I don't necessarily read every thread or every comment in every thread, so I'm sure there have been other long ones that I missed (and some that I bit my tongue over, chiefly because there were other objections and others were raising them). And I didn't even really read (in detail) the lengthy comments in the thread I cited because, well, they were so lengthy. Have I gone over a page in comments? I may have, but I think that would have been a case of responding to several different points in a post, so a good chunk would have been quotes and whitespace. But if you don't care about the content, then the difference is meaningless...in which case, there really is no difference, and I withdraw my tentative objection.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:31 AM on August 03, 2006
I have a cabal? I didn't even know. Are we unionized? Sweetheart, we're paying them.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:32 AM on August 03, 2006
Have I gone over a page in comments? That's my other thing. A "page" isn't a concrete unit of measure. I'm running at 1600x1200 here at work. You've got to have a real hard-on about how Jesse Owens was actually a Jewish Super Golem to fill a page on this screen.
posted by yerfatma at 10:20 AM on August 03, 2006
Sweetheart's a bit condescending, isn't it?
posted by JJ at 10:22 AM on August 03, 2006
Yep. Sugartits on the other hand - Now that's pure gold. Thank you, Mel.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:24 AM on August 03, 2006
Is it true that Weedy causes all the wars in the world?
posted by jerseygirl at 11:43 AM on August 03, 2006
I'd like to point out I called at least one troll here "Sugartits" way back before Mel made it cool. I think he picked it up from me that day we were hanging out at Steve Carlton's house talking about invading Switzerland with a private army.
posted by yerfatma at 12:14 PM on August 03, 2006
*nod* and God kills a kitten every time he starts one.
posted by JJ at 12:20 PM on August 03, 2006
A private army? An army for money? Will they do anything you want them to do?
posted by JJ at 12:23 PM on August 03, 2006
Haven't you people got scrollbars?
posted by walrus at 01:06 PM on August 03, 2006
I lost mine in The Great Firefox Theme Upgrade once. But they got better. I did learn that it is a bitch ot surf the web sans scrollbars. Damn near got an RSI in my scroll-wheel finger.
posted by yerfatma at 01:15 PM on August 03, 2006
I'm running at 1600x1200 here at work. That's not much. My new monitor has twice the resolution.
posted by MrFrisby at 01:31 PM on August 03, 2006
I'd like to point out I called at least one troll here "Sugartits" way back before Mel made it cool. I was known, on the odd occassion, to use the phrase "Sweet-tits" many years ago (never in mixed company... That knew me), and now feel saddened with the realization that I was close to the top o' the mountain - but not close enough. There's a charm to that phrase (Sugar, not Sweet) that has some genuine allure. Hmmm. I may, in fact, be a pig. Hey, who knew?
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:48 PM on August 03, 2006
That's not much. My new monitor has twice the resolution. Jeez, a guy spends all that money on a monitor that huge, but he still runs OS 9 on his Mac?
posted by NoMich at 02:52 PM on August 03, 2006
Funny how all those rich cubans became fighters for freedom! Batista's regime wasn't democratic, but they were fine with it. Mike Lowell can go join Schillings god-squad-- he's got the self-righteousness down pat. Batista was cuba's dictator before Castro. I know that the magnetic yellow ribbon crowd doesn't like big words or history that doesn't include cartoon pictures of George Washington nuking the Soviet Union and Jane Fonda while an eagle soars above. The eagle is crying a single tear.
posted by Mayor Curley at 02:56 PM on August 03, 2006
I hate magnetic yellow ribbons. Actually, I just hate magnetic ribbons.
posted by jerseygirl at 02:59 PM on August 03, 2006
wrong thread. drunk at 4 pm! woohoo! (not really)
posted by Mayor Curley at 03:04 PM on August 03, 2006
What this site needs is more Mayor Curley.
posted by rocketman at 04:21 PM on August 03, 2006
I hate magnetic yellow ribbons. Actually, I just hate magnetic ribbons. They are now as anoying as the ol' "baby on board" suctioncup signs, with about as many spin-offs of the original. Id like to add to that the need to plaster their childs jersey/helmate number and name on their windows.
posted by Folkways at 05:36 PM on August 03, 2006
helmate Definition: Someone you loathe but are stuck in a confined space with. I like it. Congratulations on your neologism, Mr Folk.
posted by owlhouse at 06:06 PM on August 03, 2006
Ack, freaking spell checker. Anyway um thanks Owlhouse (I think)
posted by Folkways at 06:37 PM on August 03, 2006
I lost mine in The Great Firefox Theme Upgrade once. The things you can do to an uncustomizable theme. Never ceases to amaze.
posted by YukonGold at 07:16 PM on August 03, 2006
I have a cabal? I didn't even know. /decoding post with jerseygirl censorship cabal decoder ring..."n-e-w-b-i-e-p-a-n-t-y-r-a-i-d-t-o-n-i-g-h-t..."
posted by The_Black_Hand at 07:17 PM on August 03, 2006
Actually, I just hate magnetic ribbons. And I'm there with the little "Livestrong" bracelets and the technicolor dreamcoat of ripoffs and imitators they've spawned.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 07:21 PM on August 03, 2006
I'm getting a little tired of the "bullet hole" stickers, too.
posted by wingnut4life at 12:51 AM on August 04, 2006
Batista was cuba's dictator before Castro. They also played third and short for the Twins this year before a DFA and a trade remedied that regime...there was celebration then too. I know that the magnetic yellow ribbon crowd doesn't like big words or history that doesn't include cartoon pictures of George Washington nuking the Soviet Union and Jane Fonda while an eagle soars above. Is this about that whole fucking chorizo thing?
posted by chris2sy at 01:57 AM on August 04, 2006
I'm getting a little tired of the "bullet hole" stickers, too. I do smile every time I see one of those Terrorist Hunting Permits though.
posted by yerfatma at 07:12 AM on August 04, 2006
I hear the Maine ones are the most exclusive...with the weak border and all.
posted by YukonGold at 08:01 AM on August 04, 2006
And I'm there with the little "Livestrong" bracelets and the technicolor dreamcoat of ripoffs and imitators they've spawned. My girlfriend was wearing one of the rainbow-coloured "issue du jour" braclets and I had to explain to her why she was getting some longing stares from other ladies. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
posted by HATER 187 at 08:19 AM on August 04, 2006
Well...I've got a Livestrong bracelet. I hate the spinoffs though.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:41 AM on August 04, 2006
I hate the magnetic ribbons almost as much as I hate librarians.
posted by rocketman at 11:55 AM on August 04, 2006
My librarian wife is going to hit you in the nuts with a poop awareness magnetic ribbon if you keep that up.
posted by NoMich at 02:44 PM on August 04, 2006
That'll be the day.
posted by rocketman at 03:07 PM on August 04, 2006
Are you thinking about entering the science fair? I'm thinkin' about pussy. The science fair's for queers.
posted by NoMich at 03:08 PM on August 04, 2006
I'm thinkin' about pussy. And my cat loves you for it.
posted by Folkways at 03:13 PM on August 04, 2006
Is it Poop Awareness Week again already? Every year, I seem to miss it. I've got party favors & other little seasonal presents backed up for years.
posted by chicobangs at 03:23 PM on August 04, 2006
Is it Poop Awareness Week again already? I've got party favors & other little seasonal presents backed up for years. Pun intended?
posted by willthrill72 at 04:00 PM on August 04, 2006
And my cat loves you for it. Uh-oh, I'm not the only person here that has seen the Strangers With Candy movie am I?
posted by NoMich at 04:07 PM on August 04, 2006
Sorry. I chose Miami Vice instead.
posted by rocketman at 05:17 PM on August 04, 2006
I'm sorry, I like Michael Mann a lot, but that movie sucked.
posted by jerseygirl at 05:34 PM on August 04, 2006
I got free passes, I was debating Vice. As long as it's better than Superman Returns, I'll be happy. That movie sucked ass like Adebisi's cellmate.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:13 PM on August 04, 2006
It was vacuous and concerned with cool: totally my kind of movie. Not as good as other Mann projects, but a slick update of the TV show and probably better than anything else showing in the theater that night.
posted by rocketman at 06:54 PM on August 04, 2006
Unless one of the ushers exposed themselves.
posted by yerfatma at 08:16 PM on August 04, 2006
this guy wasn't much better. Just seems like mjk is doing it more recently with the non-sports-related stuff.