Discussions / Live Q&A’s

Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. (Why? Have you heard something? What have you heard?)

I'm not sure about that, actually. I think that "just the facts" and "well-written" posts on Facebook can be useful tools, as can simple status updates saying, "This is what I believe." Why? Because so often, it's fringers and wingnuts who manage to hijack the national discussion -- hijack it to such an extent that they manage to convince the media or Congress that their opinions represent the mainstream. It's necessary for the mainstream to be vocal about their opinions, too, because it paints a more accurate picture of what the majority of the country really things.

So, vote -- yes please, absolutely. But don't write off the civic platform of Facebook.

I think I'm going to have to pick these up again and be the final arbiter on whether these books are awesome (obviously they're awesome).

I've mentioned it before, but the sub-boards on Reddit are chock full of adorability. And -- it's not the same kind of cuteness -- but I can't visit Cracked.com without ending up in giddy laughter at least once or twice. Chatters?

Cool -- want to swing by my desk and watch American Horror Story on Amazon?

This is an excellent question. Does Smudge have a Twitter account, where he can chat with other important Cats (i.e. Grumpy Cat, Wealthy Cat?)  Does Smudge have a signature move or facial expression that would be suited to lots of different captions? Does Smudge have a catchphrase? (A cat-phrase?)

Here's the tricky thing. It's already been blogged, yes? Because the whole season has already aired in the UK, and their bloggers over there already took care of that. (It's a gooood season. You will like it).

Well, at least you have the form letter. At least you have that.

He is, isn't he? And his female counterpart, ridiculously photogenic surgery girl.

Oh, this is excellent raw material. He looks truly evil. You need to play with that. Evil Cat is probably a little overdone, but maybe he's evil in a very particular way.

They've had organized backlash for awhile, no? I'm thinking of the hundreds of students in Texas who lined up to form a human shield, or the bikers who regularly form protective guard.

I think it's at least a part, but it should be mostly in the opposite direction -- i.e. if the person has too much/too crazy of a social media presence. A lack of social media presence just means the job candidate either shows good judgment or good hiding skills.

Good Lord, are all of you in next week?

(I guess so).

What's amazing is that there are literally, like 20 of them. And that's it.

Not at all.

I'm going to put it out there. Bo doesn't do it for me. And I like almost all dogs. I'm not into the texture of his fur.

When it comes down to it, "civic platform" and "soapbox" are two sides of the same coin.

Yes. And even if you can't think of anyone on your friend list, remember that your updates can always be screen-captured and then re-posted.

The Chandler Dancing meme seemed like a wild card. I don't think it deserved to be on anyone's list.

But that is exactly what I meant it to mean.

I think that most of these lists were seperating "Memes" from "Viral Videos." Was this a wise seperation? I'm not sure.

Excellent, thanks.

It's true, this impacts all of us. Jen's a great colleague -- I can't wait to see where she ends up next.

She is, isn't she? I would watch a one-woman performance consisting solely of her lines, back to back.

Does he -speak- portuguese? Because that might change things.

Anonymous has become such an ever-present vigilante in these situations. It's a good and bad thing.

I like your dedication to the process.

No one would like the show if they did awful things like that. Part of what we love is its courtly gentleness.

I appreciate the use of the word "passel."

Do people actually write "should of," or do they just say it? And if they just say it, are we sure they're not saying, "should have," but with an accent?

I think you are lying to me.

Cancel it, please.

My point is that someone getting "horribly killed" is exactly what I do not need to watch on a Masterpiece Theater production. Or, in this day and age, anywhere else, for that matter.

Yes, I agree with that definition. Which is why I think that Gangnam Style should have been included as a contender in both categories, when it seems that most outlets excluded him from "memes."

The trouble is that it's impossible for the people -at- the funerals to ignore them, because they make it their business to disrupt the saddest day of people's lives. And when others hear about this disruption, they become enraged and want to do something about it. So, yes, ignoring might be the solution, but I think the attention comes from people's hearts being in the right place.

So, do dogs in Portugal go "Lat! Lat! Lat!"

I think you might be right. Original Poster? I think this might be the way for you to go.

You know what? This doesn't bother me. I can't say why. I have my own nails-on-chalkboard reactions to various grammatical problems. But this one, I kind of like. If someone writes it, out, it gives me a better understanding of how that person might talk. And I like being able to see how people might talk.

I think you should put it on Ebay anyway, just to see how high people are willing to go. I'm assuming these Cheetos are stale?

Because nobody is 100% evil and vicious?

We really need to meet in person so I can explain to you how you are wrong.

The Internet has vastly increased the speed of our cultural metabolism. We digest things more quickly than ever before.

Or, just let it sit and see how long it takes to dissolve...

Again. I know what is correct. But this doesn't bother me. It just doesn't.

Oh, no no. If we're going to go in the direction of a book, one might as well just get Sturnk & White.

Hahahaha

Fine with it, in appropriate context.

Oh, interesting. I didn't even think of this contraction problem.

Really, I'm about to advise all of you not to watch season three at all this year. I think it might be too much for you.

This picks up a discussion chain from a few months ago, but I think we can all agree there's only one course of action here: Attend. This. Party.

Someone should do a year end list of year end lists -- The lists that actually matter. (Obviously, the only list that matters is The List, which Dan and I will release on January 1).

I know. Why this chatter did not include a photo is beyond me.

Father Cupcake was just here this weekend! We did lots of Christmasy activities.

Exactly. I mean, this all goes back to whether you believe language should be prescribed or described. And people will fight to the death over this question.

Thank you. Also, I think this is my mother, a Dawn who is married to a Don, which is now, I believe, this whole discussion strain started many months ago.

Hahahaha.

Fabulous! Is there anyone else out there who has taken our dubious advice and applied it? How useless are we?

Oh, I bet we do. I haven't the time to find any at this very minute, but I bet we do.

Thank you.

And we are already far over our regular stopping time, and someone informs me that there are free cupcakes out by the elevator.

And I think we shall end here.

Still not sure whether I'll be present next week, but if I am, y'all better be, too. I don't want to host this party and then end up with a lot of extra spinach dip and nobody around to eat it.

GSTQ.