MetaFilter

What's the deal with your nickname? How did you get it? If your nickname is self-explanatory, then tell everyone when you first started using the internet, and what was the first thing that made you say "wow, this isn't just a place for freaks after all?" Was it a website? Was it an email from a long-lost friend? Go on, spill it.

stinkycheese is simply the first thing that came to mind when I signed up for an account. I do not in fact like stinky cheeses, but prefer milder cheeses such as havarti or cheddar.

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Jan 31 2012 --

Oh my lord, have my recent comments ever been chock full of strange and horrible grammatical errors! I wish we had a grammar/spelling/typing error-only edit window for such embarrassing flaws. I must investigate whether auto correct can be turned off on the ipad.

Dec 19 2011 --

I often type on an ipad or phone now and my comments have suffered recently as a result, in terms of both spelling and grammar. My sincere apologies.










December 2 2009 --

Something Jessamyn said yesterday in Metatalk that really resonated with me:

"I personally like the site without favorites, it feels calmer to me and I find it easier to focus on everyone's opinions and not shift my attention towards the popular ones much like I rotate towards the TV sometimes in a noisy bar."

October 22 2009 --

I've really been disappointed with Metafilter (probably my single fave site on the net) the last few months, and I've been trying to figure out why exactly.

In the past, I've had problems with the overwhelming emphasis here on US content and points of view. I also think the site handles discussions revolving around sex and gender pretty badly overall.

Mainly though, I think it has a lot to do with favourites - I feel they've changed the site fairly fundamentally. MeFi is about text, yes? Good links, good discussions. Favourites though have made the whole race to snark and/or make jokes worse than it ever was, and conversation seems less about ideas and exchange, and more about getting other people to hit that favourite button. I see the same users in almost every thread, scattering witticisms to the wind, trying to rack up the numbers. It's depressing.

Sometimes I think it would be great if we got rid, not only of favourites, but of user names altogether. Just let comments and links stand as they are, and eliminate the cult of personality that comes with favourites and user names. It shouldn't matter who you are, or how many favourites you have. It should be about the substance of what you're saying. IMHO.

So, I doubt anyone much cares, but that's why you'll likely see less and less of me here as time goes by; I'm just not enjoying my visits to Metafilter as much as I used to. It's a hard call, but there you are. If anyone knows any sites similar to Metafilter, please feel free to write me, I'd love to know about them.

And, if you're reading this, I am flattered. Thanks for your time.