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My laptop crashed and, with it, my entire RSS reader's links directory, which I had been lovingly cultivating for 10 years. As I rebuild it from scratch, I figured I'd ask this community for some recos.
posted by missjenny to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 29 at 5:56 AM
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Four books have really opened my eyes to the details of exactly how capitalism and imperialism transformed parts of the world for the worse: Sweetness and Power, Coffeeland, Late Victorian Holocausts, and The Making of the English Working Class. What I appreciated about them was that they told a historical story about a specific place with lots of detail, but also tied it to larger actions being taken to transform the world economy. What should I add to that part of my bookshelf?
posted by clawsoon to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 30 at 8:11 AM
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I'm looking for dishes where the taste, appearance or "wow factor" is much more than the effort, time or money put into the dish. For the purposes of this question, there are no other restrictions.
posted by NotLost to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 23 at 4:18 PM
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Sometimes the state of the world gets me down. I'd like help imagining a better future that we can work towards. Does anyone know of any good near- future or present fiction that imagines that we did things differently and better? Bonus points for Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour authors.
posted by My Kryptonite is Worry to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 28 at 4:14 PM
28 users marked this as a favorite

I’ve been on a campy movie kick (see also: FanFare). I’m realizing that I tend to prefer movies with women in leading roles - although I suspect it’s not about gender and is more about relational perspective. Anyway, favorites include Heathers, But I’m A Cheerleader, Saved, and Earth Girls are Easy. Mars Attacks! was pretty good too. I would very much appreciate your recommendations.
posted by bunderful to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 30 at 7:13 PM
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She is perplexed by talk of "nonbinary" and "transgender" and says she wants to learn more (I'm her token liberal she goes to with these kinds of questions). She specifically wants a book to read. Any recommendations?
posted by dede to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 29 at 8:58 AM
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I have a book group. Members have some pretty specific preferences and are unfortunately well-read. I'm looking for lesser known classics that meet certain criteria:
posted by Frowner to Ask MetaFilter on May 2 at 8:04 AM
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What is it called, when you have a process/method of doing something, that gets passed down, where it turns out that part of that process/method was due to limitations/situations at the time, and is not important to actual process of doing the thing at all?
posted by lizjohn to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 8:37 AM
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I’m working as part of a group, or have been asked to help a group of people with something. Everyone else seems to know what to do and springs into action. I’m not sure, so I ask someone how I can help, and people seem annoyed that I’m asking and tell me that my help isn’t needed. Then, the authority figure who assigned the work stops by and gets mad at me for slacking.
posted by wheatlets to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 9:19 AM
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I'm trying to improve my morning routine.(Which right now consists of coffee and doomscrolling...) I'd like to incorporate a 10-20 minute meditation, guided or otherwise, but I keep striking out. Largely, I think, because I struggle with anything that focuses on breath and with certain kinds of visualization. I'd really appreciate ideas.
posted by jeszac to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 29 at 9:01 AM
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I would like to print, frame and hang some digital photos that I have taken (DSLR and iPhone). I would like to have 5 photos printed larger than 8"x10" and 5-10 photos printed between 4"x6" and 8"x10". What are the best practices for preparing and printing digital photos (cost effectively)?
posted by bruinfan to Ask MetaFilter on May 2 at 9:20 AM
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In a comment to one of the Gaza-related posts, I (thought) I saw a great breakdown of the ideological spectrum, ranging from “Death to the opposition!” at each extreme to what I thought was a very reasonable spectrum of intermediate positions in 10-15 steps.
posted by Calibandage to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 30 at 12:17 PM
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For the last three months I've been receiving 1-2 kilos of carrots in my vegetable box. This week I've received 3kg of carrots, both red and purple. I'm out of ideas for carrot-based meals for two. Suggestions? Our preferences and what we're tried are below the fold.
posted by tavegyl to Ask MetaFilter on May 2 at 7:13 AM
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I have been using a Duxtop portable induction burner for a few years now, and I am totally converted -- I love it, and I use it for everything. The only thing I don't love is that it seems to only have a nine-inch coil, and that means that the max size pan I can use most effectively is a pan with a 10-inch base. Are there any induction burners that have a larger coil, and could actually heat all of the actual surface area of a proper 12-inch pan?
posted by Hadroed to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 29 at 8:33 AM
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Does anyone know commentators with a similar tone, approach, style etc. to Bloomberg’s Matt Levine? Not looking for additional folks covering his topic area, but rather writers who have a similar vibe writing in other areas.
posted by dredge to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 28 at 10:02 AM
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That's an open question! I met with a fancy client company this week, and the meeting involved use of an LG Cinebeam projector. It amazed me—I didn't realize the technology had come this far—and I'm curious if there's something more affordable that comes close on some of this model's features.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 2:11 AM
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Hello, Yorkshire people! Can anyone recommend a small market town for me (68F New Englander) as a base for walking the heathery moors in late July?
posted by amphitrite to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 25 at 4:47 PM
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I remember being introduced to HyperCard in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Does a modern day equivalent exist?
posted by zooropa to Ask MetaFilter on May 1 at 2:26 PM
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Who was the physically strongest President of the United States of America, and would he be stronger than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson?
posted by TheophileEscargot to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 27 at 10:01 AM
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My father recently died very unexpectedly. He was, by all accounts, a devoted, loving, and supportive father and husband -- to his young second family. I am a member of his first family, all of whom were in varying states of near-estrangement stemming from his being alternatively absent and terrifying during my childhood and emotionally manipulative in the decades since whenever we tried to reconnect.
posted by Anonymous to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 29 at 3:06 AM
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If money wasn't communicated from you to your friend then I would consider this a case of lessons learned. It is highly unlikely FOF expected to pay since it probably sounded to that person that this was a use-it-or-lost it deal and you'd rather give it away then have it be wasted. The reality is that you couldn't make it anyhow so at least you got... [more]
posted by smilefreely to Ask MetaFilter on May 2 at 8:32 AM
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This seems to me to be one of those situations expressly made for the “listen in, dump out” rule of thumb in relationships. Your husband, it seems clear from this post, is much, much closer to this painful issue than you are. Your distance may allow you to see some moral aspects more clearly right now than he does, but it also seems unarguable to... [more]
posted by Merricat Blackwood to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 8:06 AM
52 users marked this as a favorite

CW: child trafficking and awful feelings about sex work Not going into detail, but I was used as a kid to make porn. When my wife and I moved into our first house, I found her porn stash. Now, I'm a sexually open, progressive person. I'm poly and kinky, so my wife was floored when my reaction to that stash was revulsion and rejection. She... [more]
posted by Vigilant to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 9:24 AM
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I had a similar experience when my father died. He didn't have a second family, but he was well-liked and respected at his long-term place of employment, his coworkers were shocked and saddened by his sudden death, and they came out in droves to mourn him. At home, he was a deeply abusive, manipulative and controlling man. I still struggle... [more]
posted by terretu to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 29 at 3:30 AM
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I have heard this called the Pot Roast Principle. [view]
posted by Jeanne to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 8:45 AM
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I'm also very surprised that so many folks here seem to think that this is an unusual response to have to a partner supporting the intentional starvation of civilians. I don't think there would be this much confusion (or so much grace being granted to the partner) if he outed himself as a Trump supporter or a transphobe--and to me and many, many... [more]
posted by lizard2590 to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 1:13 PM
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Wow. I appreciate your compassion here, but this man's behavior seems to be going outside the bounds of where compassion is merited. That is really disturbing. I'd be documenting this in writing, to both the police and whatever level of local government you have. Guessing that this person also has a case manager or parole officer, and the... [more]
posted by martin q blank to Ask MetaFilter on May 2 at 6:32 AM
31 users marked this as a favorite

Also, leading with a critique of her physical appearance is a classic (and misogynist) trope of older-generation musical snobbery against young women pop singers. I'd check that impulse. [view]
posted by spitbull to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 10:45 AM
30 users marked this as a favorite

i don't think it's reasonable for anyone to criticize you for reacting (internally) with disgust or contempt. such people apparently have far greater mastery of their emotions than i do. i do think it's reasonable for anyone to advise/remind you that your marriage is more than your conflicting feelings on the events in Israel. but i also think... [more]
posted by troywestfield to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 9:17 AM
29 users marked this as a favorite

It freezes well. Not as good as fresh but in the range of 8.5/10. [view]
posted by Depressed Obese Nightmare Man to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 28 at 8:15 AM
28 users marked this as a favorite

About Abe: Inside Abraham Lincoln’s Surprising Career As A National Wrestling Champ In 12 years of wrestling, Abraham Lincoln was known to have lost only one match out of 300 on his way to being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame... The young 185-pounder eventually won Sangamon County’s wrestling championship. One bout... [more]
posted by They sucked his brains out! to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 27 at 12:22 PM
28 users marked this as a favorite

Opening a conversation about a 34 year old, high femme woman superstar by pointing out that she looks like a plastic doll to you is A Choice, and one I'd personally reflect on why I did it and how it colors my perception. Three generations of my family quite enjoys Swift, from my mom to her granddaughter. She's has tons of hits, for twenty... [more]
posted by Jacen to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 8:00 AM
27 users marked this as a favorite

What you are doing, when you bury a tomato seedling this way, is creating an artificially deep, strong root system for your genetically-manipulated-for-8000-years freak of a plant that would otherwise rip itself out of the ground from the sheer weight of its unnaturally massive and numerous fruits. I love growing tomatoes. [view]
posted by showbiz_liz to Ask MetaFilter on May 1 at 5:44 AM
27 users marked this as a favorite

I am kinda surprised at the number of people who think you are in the wrong for being upset about this. I really wasn't expecting that response. Personally, I understand where you are coming from but I really don't have an answer for you because I'm in a similar boat. When I met my husband, it seemed like we agreed on a lot of things both... [more]
posted by teleri025 to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 26 at 12:25 PM
26 users marked this as a favorite

Having a diagnosis isn't particularly helpful except in leading to treatment. If she's not strong enough to handle the treatment that would be prescribed, having a definitive diagnosis isn't valuable on its own. If her health improves enough to make treatment possible, there will be time for a biopsy/scan, but while her current condition is acute,... [more]
posted by rikschell to Ask MetaFilter on May 2 at 4:46 AM
24 users marked this as a favorite

This feels like when men tell women to smile more. I would try to ignore it. [view]
posted by happy_cat to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 25 at 1:46 PM
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I have the perfect book for her! Raising Kids beyond the Binary: Celebrating God’s Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children was written in an educational, Christian vernacular and is easily accessible. My Christian Dad read it and it really resonated with him. Disclosure: We know the Bruesehoff family through the state church body and I was on... [more]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero to Ask MetaFilter on Apr 29 at 9:21 AM
23 users marked this as a favorite

Sorry but being retrospectively asked for money when it wasn't mentioned up front would leave a sour taste in my mouth — especially as, to avoid now feeling like a freeloader, I now have to cough up a significant fraction of $200 for a class which I might reasonably have assumed only cost $30-40. Don't beat yourself up, it was an easy... [more]
posted by Klipspringer to Ask MetaFilter on May 2 at 9:32 AM
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Welp it is good to have my overall Midwestern instincts confirmed on this one. If I had been doing the inviting, I would for sure have mentioned the cost, but since I wasn't and don't know at all how Friend framed it to FOF, I think this one is lost to the seas. Sorry but being retrospectively asked for money when it wasn't mentioned up... [more]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese to Ask MetaFilter on May 2 at 9:38 AM
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. [view]
posted by zengargoyle to Ask MetaFilter on May 1 at 10:33 PM
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