I know this is kind of vague, but I'm looking for examples of rappers, or even just individual rap songs, that have a "philosophical" message. I don't mean that they encourage people to get off drugs, or do something with their lives, or anything like that (though I'd like those examples, too) -- but that they espouse a specific philosophy of life or worldview. I'd love some mainstream examples -- I'm not just looking for "issue" rappers who have made philosophy their thing (though I like these, too!) Thanks!!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by caoimhe at 2:04 AM on April 22, 2011 (41 comments)

50 pictures of Basset Hounds running. If you aren't satisfied with just pictures, well there's videos of Basset Hounds running in slow motion (1,2) and videos of them shaking in slow motion (1,2).
posted to MetaFilter by MaryDellamorte at 5:29 PM on April 22, 2011 (34 comments)

Reactor shutdowns nine months away: Tokyo Electric Power Co. announced Sunday that it will take six to nine months to complete a cold shutdown of the damaged reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant, while the United States proposed a daring plan to use a remote-controlled helicopter and cranes to pluck out their spent fuel rods... If all goes well, displaced residents from the evacuation zone should know within six to nine months whether they will be able to go home, trade minister Banri Kaieda said. [Previously] [Open MeFi pro vs. con nuclear policy thread]
posted to MetaFilter by KokuRyu at 8:19 PM on April 17, 2011 (497 comments)

Covering Tohoku The Foreign Correspondent's Club of Japan (FCCJ) has posted a special edition of its No. 1 Shimbun covering the Tohoku Earthquake: FCCJ members, many of them freelancers, were the first on the scene after the quake and have led coverage since. Weeks after the global media pack left, they're still here. There's articles by veteran Japan reporters such as Charles Pomeroy who recently retired to Otsuchi after covering Japan for 50 years, to newer stringers such as Gavin Blair who worked as a "fixer" for foreign prima-donna journos dashing in and out of the disaster zone. There is a photo by photographer Rob Gilhooly who recently made a heartbreaking trip into the exclusion zone near the plants. Although not included in No 1 Shimbun, freelancer Yas Idei provides a Japanese perspective (in English) about the multiple disasters. Idei's piece about Rokkashomura is pretty enlightening, frightening, and depressing.
posted to MetaFilter by KokuRyu at 11:18 PM on April 12, 2011 (23 comments)

Free Darko calls it quits. Contributors to the irreverent basketball writing site that Brian Philips describes as "a vintage record shop that radiation turned into a grad student" talk about what Free Darko meant to them. Also, an interview with Free Darko writer and illustrator Bethlehem Shoals and Jacob Weinstein.
posted to MetaFilter by AceRock at 4:24 PM on April 11, 2011 (19 comments)

This is just to say/Mefi's Cortex/has created/ a william carlos williams/ poem generator Forgive me/ it came from Think Stank/ Previously
posted to MetaFilter by The Whelk at 1:43 PM on April 7, 2011 (79 comments)

This year marks a decade of Strong Bad Emails, sent from Strong Bad's desk. Next to his computer sits a box of floppy discs, often displaying game titles. If you missed those titles, the detail-oriented Homestar Runner wiki (previously) provides game titles, summaries, and links. Many of the games are old computer games like Rise of the Dragon or Miner 2049er, and some titles are linked to Lord_Pall's revived Home of the Underdogs abandonware game archive. Other games have links to the Videlectrix catalog, where you can see box art and play some demos. Or you can go back to the Homestar Runner wiki, and go to the list of playable Videlectrix titles, like 50k Racewalker (play online) Polulation: Tire (play online) or Peasant's Quest (play online) (More previous stuff: Peasant's Quest and Where's An Egg?).
posted to MetaFilter by filthy light thief at 2:24 PM on April 1, 2011 (82 comments)

I have been listening to Mumford & Sons today. I really like their sound. Who else would you guys recommend I listen to for more music like this?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by The Violet Cypher at 7:47 AM on March 1, 2011 (31 comments)

My girlfriend has suggested that I might be overdue for a no-holds-barred sob destruction and I think I agree. But I'm having a hard time overcoming my disinclination towards that degree of vulnerability, so I've decided to mount an attack based on system overload. Do you have suggestions of specific pieces of media (video clips/songs/short poems/etc) that make you tear up every time?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by ictow at 8:25 AM on March 25, 2011 (267 comments)

I'm thinking of starting a food blog (recipes, photos, etc) with the aim of earning a little money from ad revenue. Is such a thing feasible these days?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 8:40 AM on March 1, 2011 (9 comments)

Posemaniacs is a site offering 3D, rotatable figures in a variety of poses for drawing. It has a program that chooses random poses and gives you a time limit to draw them and a perspective editor that makes guidelines for one-point perspective.
posted to MetaFilter by NoraReed at 4:53 AM on February 21, 2011 (7 comments)

Beware the birds and the wolf: Ramona Falls' I Say Fever. Featuring a great narrative, clever and intricate animation, and nice touches of fuzz bass. (SLYT)
posted to MetaFilter by Existential Dread at 8:35 PM on February 18, 2011 (14 comments)

The Saga of Biôrn: Biôrn, an old Viking, is determined to reach Valhalla, the warrior's afterlife full of excessive drinking and debauchery. To gain entry he has to die honorably in battle, but he discovers that the right death isn't so easy. SLVimeo.
posted to MetaFilter by bwg at 4:02 PM on February 18, 2011 (18 comments)

Meet Obasan: Adorable demon-possessed little girl and Japanese professional wrestler for the horror-themed Triple Six promotion. More highlights: (1) (2)
posted to MetaFilter by StopMakingSense at 1:36 AM on May 12, 2007 (30 comments)

That's the Most Illegal Thing I've Seen in the History of Wrestling! (SLYT)
posted to MetaFilter by jenkinsEar at 12:09 PM on February 17, 2011 (123 comments)

"Welcome to the Zion Archive. You have selected Historical File #12-1: The Second Renaissance." So begins the short film of the same name by Mahiro Maeda [Flash: 1 2 - QuickTime: 1 2] -- a devastating yet beautiful work of animation. Originally produced to explain the backstory behind the Matrix trilogy, Maeda's project ended up telling a story far darker and more affecting than any blockbuster. Using a blend of faux documentary footage and visual metaphor, his serene Instructor relates in biblical tones the saga of Man and Machine, how age-old cruelty and hatred birthed a horrifying, apocalyptic struggle that consumed the world. Packed with striking imagery and historical allusions galore, this dark allegory easily transcends the films it was made for. But while "The Second Renaissance" is arguably the best work to come from the Matrix franchise, it's hardly alone -- it's just one of the projects made for The Animatrix, a collection of nine superb anime films in a wide variety of styles designed to explore the universe and broaden its scope beyond the usual sci-fi action of the movies. Click inside for a guide to these films with links to where they can be watched online, along with a look at The Matrix Comics, a free series of comics, art, and short fiction created for the same purpose by some of the best talent in the business.
posted to MetaFilter by Rhaomi at 5:40 PM on February 14, 2011 (54 comments)

Heartbeat. Sung by Sano Motoharu. SLYT
posted to MetaFilter by growabrain at 11:22 PM on February 7, 2011 (28 comments)

The last Japanese man remaining in Kazakhstan: A Kafkian tale of the plight of a Japanese POW in the Soviet Union. This is the story of Tetsuro Ahiko, a Japanese national who was living on Sakhalin Island during WWII, and was sent to gulags after the war instead of being repatriated to Japan. Ahiko has turned down multiple offers to be resettled in Japan and has spent 60+ years in Kazakhstan (what was then the Soviet Union.)
posted to MetaFilter by gen at 6:43 PM on February 7, 2011 (38 comments)

Star Wars Begins. Fan documentarian Jambe Davdar has completed has completed his third documentary about the original Star Wars trilogy. He's re-cut all three films, editing in alternate takes, deleted scenes, original audio, with quotes from various interviews and commentaries and recordings playing over the footage like the ultimate DVD commentary. [via]
posted to MetaFilter by crossoverman at 1:13 AM on February 5, 2011 (48 comments)

I want raw, dingy music about shady characters navigating the dark corners of American society.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by clearly at 12:36 PM on February 4, 2011 (65 comments)

"Let's do those drive-in totals. We have: Nineteen dead bodies (plus fragments). Ten breasts (shame on you, TNT censors). Two zombie breasts. One-hundred twenty-five zombies. Mummy dogs. One-half zombie dog. Ten gallons blood. Brain-eating. Gratuitous embalming. Zombie fu. Nekkid punk-rocker fondue. Gratuitous midget zombie. Torso S&M. One motor vehicle chase (totalled by zombies). Pool cue fu. No aardvarking. Heads roll. Brains roll. Arms roll. Hands roll. Joe Bob says, Check It Out." Only on MonsterVision.
posted to MetaFilter by zarq at 9:59 PM on February 3, 2011 (31 comments)

What fiction should I read next? (Enclosed please find a ridiculously, excessively long (and yet incomplete) list of some books I've enjoyed, both to assist and as a thank-you.)
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Eshkol at 12:36 PM on January 31, 2011 (39 comments)

The magic of the Muppets, perfectly encapsulated in one video (sylt)
posted to MetaFilter by sleepcrime at 5:18 AM on January 27, 2011 (76 comments)

What are the best resources for learning advanced cooking skills at home?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by wander at 1:43 AM on January 21, 2011 (22 comments)

What are the best movie martial arts fights of all time?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by El Curioso at 11:44 PM on January 18, 2011 (51 comments)

reMIND is a webcomic that updates on Mondays.
posted to MetaFilter by cthuljew at 12:53 AM on January 19, 2011 (9 comments)

Looking for more board games like Carcassonne.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by ShootTheMoon at 10:04 AM on January 18, 2011 (32 comments)

Courtesy of the indiegames.com weblog, the top 10 indie games of 2010 in a variety of categories:

• Freeware Experimental Games (previously)
• Freeware Shoot 'em Ups
• Freeware Role-Playing Games
• Freeware Puzzle Games
• Freeware Adventure Games
• Browser Arcade Games
• Freeware Arcade Games
• Browser Platformers
• Top 10 Indie Games (overall, including ones that *gasp* actually cost money)
• Indie Games To Watch Out For In 2011

posted to MetaFilter by juv3nal at 12:01 PM on January 14, 2011 (27 comments)

Heading out for a drive this weekend? Live near Lake Biwa in Japan? Then head over the O-hashi ('Big Bridge') and sing along with the music your car will make as it runs over the 'Melody Road'. These attractions (distractions?) - created by carving ridges into the surface of the road, causing your tires to play 'music' - have popped up all over Japan in recent years (here's an English-language news clip on the phenomenon). But if you are a road engineer, and are thinking of perhaps making one of these, you had better do the math properly, something the engineers on a similar project for a Honda commercial spectacularly failed to do. (Analysis of what went wrong on this interesting blog post).
posted to MetaFilter by woodblock100 at 5:51 AM on January 6, 2011 (10 comments)

This is an illustrated cross-section of Hong Kong's Kowloon Walled City
posted to MetaFilter by brundlefly at 8:51 PM on January 3, 2011 (31 comments)

What are the most inexplicable internet videos you know of?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by cmoj at 12:28 PM on December 28, 2010 (85 comments)

Ted Chiang is perhaps the finest author in contemporary science fiction -- and the most rarefied. A technical writer by trade and a graduate of the distinguished Clarion Writers Workshop, Chiang has published only twelve short stories in the last twenty years, one dozen masterpieces of the genre whose insightful, precise, often poetic language confronts fundamental ideas -- intelligence, consciousness, the nature of God -- and thrusts them into a dazzling new light. Click inside for a complete listing of Chiang's work, with links to online reprints or audio recordings where available, as well as a collection of one-on-one interviews, links to his nonfiction essays, and a few other related sites and articles.
posted to MetaFilter by Rhaomi at 11:11 AM on December 27, 2010 (116 comments)

List of Libre Games. Open Game Systems. Compendium of Free Role Playing Games. Free RPGs at 1000 Monkeys, 1000 Typewriters. Tired of role-playing game books the size and price of textbooks? You've got a lot of alternatives.
posted to MetaFilter by Zed at 12:23 PM on December 23, 2010 (18 comments)

I asked Igari to help me deal with the fallout from the book. After much discussion, he and his two colleagues came up with a plan. His parting words were: “It’ll be a long battle. It’ll take money and courage, and you’ll have to come up with those on your own. But we’ll fight.” On August 28th, his body was found in his vacation home in Manila, wrists slashed. Time of death unknown. It’s been ruled a suicide. Personally, I believe he was killed. I probably will never be able to prove it.
posted to MetaFilter by KokuRyu at 4:21 PM on November 25, 2010 (23 comments)

This song is called Alice's Restaurant, and it's about Alice, and the restaurant, but Alice's Restaurant is not the name of the restaurant; that's just the name of the song, and that's why I call the song Alice's Restaurant.
posted to MetaFilter by Miko at 10:32 PM on November 24, 2010 (161 comments)

I am going to smoke a turkey this year for Thanksgiving. Uh. 'Smoke' like a brisket, not 'smoke' like a cigarette. Any advice?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by dirtdirt at 7:21 AM on November 11, 2009 (8 comments)

Pesto, caramelized onions.... What other foodstuff additives can I make in advance that will freeze well and provide meal interest for months in advance? I'm a vegetarian (not vegan) but if you want to answer for the benefit of omnivores, that's okay, too.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Morrigan at 3:56 PM on November 21, 2010 (31 comments)

Harvey Araton wrote that basketball star Reggie Miller has "a mouth that can stretch as far as his jump shot range." He might be right. Once, in a game against the New York Knicks, Miller so taunted Knicks guard John Starks that Starks headbutted him. Starks was summarily ejected. That incident took place during Game 3 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals - a series New York would go on to win in 5 games.
posted to MetaFilter by kbanas at 7:03 AM on November 18, 2010 (46 comments)

New England Webcomics Weekend was this past weekend in Easthampton, MA. It brought together many top names in the art of webcomics -- a form that may have at last grown distinct from its print-comics progenitor. A fine excuse to introduce you to (or remind you about) the sites of these hilarious, daring and innovative artists. Hyperlink omnibus enclosed...
posted to MetaFilter by damehex at 1:14 PM on November 9, 2010 (18 comments)

Looking to buy high quality headphones as a gift, but am no audiophile, so a lot of the jargon and specs mean nothing to me. Looking for recommendations based on certain parameters.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by HonoriaGlossop at 9:56 AM on November 6, 2010 (12 comments)

Looking for software for small cafe/restaurant: POSS, food costs, membership, ordering
posted to Ask MetaFilter by carolekorea at 8:22 PM on November 2, 2010 (4 comments)

Wanna Play D&D? Nobody to play with? Got a computer? Wanna experience The Temple of Elemental Evil, Castle Amber, The Palace of the Silver Princess, and Danger at Dunwater in your pajamas? Start with Circle of Eight Modpack forThe Temple of Elemental Evil and play the most complete Dungeons and Dragon game ever made. Think 3rd edition is for chumps? Show your true Moxie and revisit the modules of yore with the Classic Adventures Mod for Baldur's Gate II.
posted to MetaFilter by Lord_Pall at 8:38 AM on October 17, 2010 (41 comments)

Though never a competition, the Def Poetry Jam is a rhyming spin off from its comidic uncle that plays host to some of the most fantastic spoken word from a wonderful breadth of poets and people. The fun and inocent, the declaration of love , your cause the famous and the famouser, the needs of a single woman, the manifest, the virus and one written and delivered with such emotion and power that it left me speachless, "Knock Knock" by Daniel Beaty
posted to MetaFilter by Cogentesque at 2:24 AM on October 14, 2010 (16 comments)

"Eschatology" is, generally speaking, the study of the end of the world, but when most people in the US hear the term, they generally think of Christian eschatology.

Specifically, they tend to think of the barrels of ink and that one movie (previously) which have been devoted to the subject over the past couple of decades. Neither seems to have contributed to a wider understanding of the actual theology involved.
posted to MetaFilter by valkyryn at 6:45 AM on October 12, 2010 (93 comments)

I've just canceled HBO in an attempt to save money... leading me to immediately realize that, aside from "Community", I don't watch anything on network TV. What's worth watching -- and which definitive episodes will have me hooked?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by avidreader at 4:37 PM on September 26, 2010 (55 comments)

Teachers and other folks who work in the field of education: Where can I find out what’s currently popular/important in middle-school and high-school education? I’m looking for professional resources, trends, current education gurus—the kinds of things I’d find at Heinemann or at conventions like NCTE or IRA, but I’ve already been on the Heinemann site, and I can’t make it to conventions this year.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by TEA at 11:34 AM on September 20, 2010 (6 comments)

What do you call this kind of riddle? More importantly, can you tell me a few more of them?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Zaximus at 1:34 PM on September 7, 2010 (36 comments)

The Running of the Dead: How the shift from slow zombies to fast zombies inverts the political statement in the Dawn of the Dead remake, the Hobbesian influence on zombie narrative, and the implications for 28 Days Later. In four parts.
posted to MetaFilter by 0xFCAF at 12:33 AM on September 7, 2010 (188 comments)

I love rubbing my meat. Help me take it to next the next level.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by iftheaccidentwill at 9:31 AM on September 6, 2010 (10 comments)

"In the depth of winter I finally learned there was in me an eternal September. This definite, very real September I'm writing in, however, is the only place and time I want or need. Football season is over; football season has begun. The rest is life, and it can and will wait until February, the question that always answers itself by becoming March, and then April, and then back to September again, where we do not root for Tennessee, because that is simply not done here."
posted to MetaFilter by ivey at 11:35 AM on September 3, 2010 (10 comments)