April 03, 2005

• As far as the open-home policy goes, my father-in-law is a member of the Ulysses Motorcycling Club (it's for retired-type folk, not all black leather and bitches :). As part of that, a directory is put out every year and members can choose to have their contact details listed, as well as whether they would provide a bed for another member, or are available by phone for directions when someone's in their area, or whether they would help with a breakdown or the like. It's a great idea. I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of ideas come out of this.
• My couch is available for travelling monkeys, but I know what you mean, squid.... We should be able to get behind a more world-change-y idea.
• Bananas for squid! (Easy for me to say, living in a remote corner, but there is a big Buddhist population here in Nova Scotia, and I have a couch...) If anybody has any animal activism thoughts, count me in!
• I've got a couch for short people and a floor for those larger folks in State College, PA if anyone ever wants it... No, there will be no beer bong, or pong, although I could direct you to places where both will occur.
• A year or so ago, the suggestion was made here that we contribute to organizations trying to save apes and monkeys in the wild. I adopted an orangutan orphan for $75/year. That might be the sort of thing people could agree upon. And there are a lot of save-endangered-animals orgs. out there, from kakapos to tigers and elephants, all discussed on Mofi in the past. On the other hand, trying to save the human hominid might be a little harder to agree on. The biggest crises to me, at this time, seem to be in Africa - especially Sudan. But, there are a zillion other places where we could help, including in our own countries. Many of us probably donate what we can to local causes. Some may even put in volunteer hours. For those of us in the US, helping in Iraq and Afghanistan might help assuage our guilt. But how easy would that be to agree on? I think letting monkeys couch surf is a no brainer for many of us, but I think it'll be hard to get a consensus (if that's what you want) on one cause to support that would change the world. Our own Abiezer Coppe Is working in China, and might be able to use some help.
• Oh, and, here's a blog I really like 360 degrees of sky. It's by an Irish woman who has lived in Africa for several years. She recently stopped posting because her malaria recurred and she's going back to Ireland, but her story is fascinating. There are a lot of shades of activism.
• Not to put a kibosh on the activism angle, but I also think we should ponder how we monkeys can help each other. Could we do a mini craigslist kinda thing for jobs, rides, places to crash, stuff for trade, or is that already covered by existing sites? I can't put my finger on it, but it seems like we might have a way to use our strength of numbers to help ourselves too.
• i say we fight crime and solve mysteries and drive around in a van... but that's my suggestion for anything.... seriously though...there's a project that i wanted to get together...i think its pretty obvious that there's been some pretty serious vote tampering going on in this country for a while, now...the results of which is seemingly endless worldwide strife and corruption... i read an article a few mos. back in the mit tecnology review about open-source voting, with an example technology being this deal where you get a barcode (one of the new ones that looks like static) on a printout when you vote...and anytime in the process that you want to verify your vote, you go online and get another barcode...when you put the 2 together and hold them up to the light, you can clearly see who you voted for...a 2-part encryption scheme...i had an idea to add several lines of the source code on the printout for any volunteers to check that the code remains untampered with throughout the process as well.... i think this should be done for free...repeat, FREE how? we do it through the math departments of our nation's colleges and high schools...which just about everyone in this country has access to...and almost all of which have computers and internet access at this point...the only real cost would be printout materials...paper and ink...i figure just set out a donation basket to cover that... basically, what i propose is to hijack the election from out of diebold's (greedy, corrupt, fraudulent) hands... problems...out of the country voters...online, maybe? keeping it secret, keeping it safe... please suggest any prolems you might see... another thing about the voting process in this country that i've noticed is this rush to get all the votes tallied in one day...i see no sense in it except to hide vote tampering in the mayhem... i suggest a 3-day voting process, where if you want to change your vote, you can do it at any time in the process...if that can be done safely of course...and a 10(?) day period afterwards to allow for vote verification handling... anyone here know how to program all this? (i don't code) basically, we put the project together and then hit all our local math departments with it...spread it amongst them all from there and go public ~3 mos. before the 2008 pres election...that would be the splashy way, but maybe start with it in local elections? (my worry there is giving the diebold people time to try to squash it....and they have the whole repub. party's squashing power behind them) any ideas on making this work?
• I've got a couch and baked potatos. There's always plenty of bananas, too.
• oh yeah..i need a job too....but considering that we probably have the largest LOCAL faction, squiddy, that seems a little thin...da shiv turned me on to the craigslist ride share feature...but that seems to require a larger fan base... however a lodging share thread would be cool...maybe a zipcode search feature thingie...i guess that would require a zipcode slot on the profiles...tracy? do-able or no?
• I was thinking the other day, I know there are no self-posts, but when i do a show or movie or something, goddammit I want to tell everybody. Could there be an area or paralell site where you CAN and are encouraged to link to stuff you yourself did that you want everyone to see?
• remember sexyrobot, I actually did try to get you some work with Evan, the set designer? I think that there might still be some way to do a "monkeyslist" kinda thing.
• oh and thanks for that squids...i gotta call him again....but nothing so far... a monkeylist idea is good, but i think we might all be a little on the geographically disparate side for it to work well...i think most monkeys who know live nearby have met each other, no? any thoughts on my voting idea?
• "We could also see if there is a social movement that we could all get behind." He he. Good luck with that. Really, because I don't think such a thing is remotely likely. You might be able to align a majority of people, but getting everyone to agree is unlikely to the point of near impossibility. I volunteer quite a bit of time and money in my private life. I'd be willing to offer suggestions regarding what I think are good choices, but the first rule for volunteering (for me) is to start small and think locally. Considering we sprawl all over the globe, it might be a bit of a hassle to make our impact felt in a way that identified as an effort made by the monkeyfilter community. The tsunami relief thread showed that many of us were willing to contribute to various agencies, but shy of events of global (or hemispherical) importance, it could prove ungainly to try and attach a monkey concern to problems or movements. Instead, it might behoove us (or a few of us, at least), to have a charity/volunteer section or set of threads, to which those of us who have an interest in sharing experiences or desire to help out or propositions/challenges to contribute could offer up appeals or details. The sidebar could certainly handle this quite nicely, I assume. I'd be willing to offer up what I could (we're a family that strongly believes in charity and volunteering), but none of this fancy computer stuff can I do. Words and (for what it's worth) wisdom and experience are what I can give you here. I mentioned recently that I drive cancer patients to appointments. We do some community cleanup stuff as well, food banking, environmental awareness stuff, AIDS hospice work and some assorted otherthings. And, since we have the cash, spend a reasonable chunk on these and related (and other unrelated) causes at fundraisers. Still, we can all contribute more, so I'd like to hear what others are doing or thinking of doing.
• I manage an Audio/Video retail store, so I'll toss in cost plus 5% on Video products, and cost plus 15% on Audio for any Monkeys who need any AV gear. This is in Canada though, so likely of not much practical,use. I also have a spare mountain bike or three for any Monkeys who are In the Vancouver Area and want to go bike riding. From the Sea Wall to the North Shore, we can outfit you with a scoot to do the trick. If we are gonna get political, I'd be up for supporting anything Paul Watson or Greenpeace does, and I would contribute to a genuine charity that actually does adopt children in third world countries and help them out, if such a thing really exists. No,you can't sleep on my couch, but you wouldn't want to anyway, with my erratic hours and tiny house. I'd also advise any female monkeys against this idea, simply as a matter of common sense. Not everyone you meet on the Internet is a harmless fellow-traveller, prudence suggests a certain level of caution in these matters.
• Oh, and what coppermac said; about one second before I hit "Post".
• I would be willing to recommend a place to stay in my area, but I wouldn't have anyone stay with me. My pitbull is too scary for most people. I belong to a MRO (motorcycle rights organization) that also has a list for fellow members who may need roadside assistance or advice on where to go and what to see, when visiting in the area of those members on the list. I would be willing to be of that sort of assistance, to any fellow monkeys who travel my way. Although I can't see that happening unless you wish to visit small town America, or Mark Twain country.
• Although I tend to agree in principal with our esteemed coppermac, I will say that I have a few meager resources worth offering, including a hide-a-bed couch in Denver and the ability to do criminal background checks. I do not cook, however.
• I'd like us to put all of our efforts into bettering my own personal comfort. I need to have more free time and this could be a perfect way to enable me to spend hours working on my own personal happiness. This would require, money (lots and lots of money), time and patience but I believe we can do it. Ok, back to reality. Squidranch, your idea is awesome and I seriously hope it goes somewhere. There's just too much good energy here to have it go untapped. /dirty hippie
• I could possibly offer accommodation for monkeys visiting the Twin Cities. Be cautioned, however, that there are rabbits here. "Look at the bones, man!"
• Well, me thinks that if we were to do a database of monkeys who are willing to do the couch share thing, we'd be able to gather enough info about the host monkey that the creepiness factor would be mollified. I belong to global freeloaders and have had two folks crash on my extra futon. A rotund Aussy chap who brought me some delicious home harvested honey from his own hives and a somewhat neurasthenic brit gal with waxy hair from Manchester. Neither was any real trouble and I had fun showing both the local sites. If either were a monkey, I'm pretty sure that I'd have been even more gracious.
• I also think we should ponder how we monkeys can help each other. Got it: telephone fib system. Say I tell a prospective new employer that, sure, they can call my last supervisor, no sweat. However, I know that the reason I'm talking to a prospective employer in the first place is that I got pinched by said supervisor lifting little legal pads and several of those delightful three ring binders that have the little fold in the cover that allow them to stand upright unsupported, which led to some high toned words and minor fisticuffs and scufflage - whatever, the point being is that the supervisor is precisely the worst person in the world to have someone ask their opinion of me. So: I send El Squido an email with some minor detailery on the situation and ask: take the call? He says "with aplomb, Fes my good man!" and instead of my actual supervisor, prospective employer calls Squid, Squid says, boy howdy are we going to miss that Fes around the office! Not only was he a super-productive mofo and a Beckham of a team player, but he can also whistle like a nuthatch! Prospective employers says thanks much, and everyone goes home happy. Some months later, say, Squidranch's girlfriend Sweepea has to go out of town on business, and Squid takes the opportunity to hit the town with the boys for a night of innocent carousing and whatnot. Squidrach being Squidranch, it's not like he can turn off the Big Love, so of course, through no fault of his own, he ends up bedding a tartlet. This, of course, could play havoc with his implied mutual exclusion contract with the lovely Sweepea, and she suspects, upon discovery of the tartlet's panties in the glovebox of the Squidtacular F150, that some eventide below-the-equator chicanery may have taken place. Squiddy, recalling the favor he did for Festicus some months back, drop me an e and says to Sweepea: Honeybunch, these panties are Fes' girlfriend's! They are a couple of rabbitty types, and were getting a little Penthouse Forum on the ride home, and thus deposited these lacies upon my floorboards. I, knowing that they'd be seeking them out, tossed them unthinking in the glovebox, eventually putting you to some disconcertation - here, this is his cell, give him a call...? And so, equanimity is maintained.
• Fes, you are such a wet rag. And your point? Fine, I will sign a waiver of liability dispensing you from any connection whatsoever. Where's your esprit, man?
• Wha? Never mind then. I apologize for interupting.
• MoFi ridesharing is a great idea and I would participate in a heartbeat. MoFi couchsurfing is also a great idea and my couch is available. And I do parties. Just give me a couple months to recover from spawning. MoFi swaplisting cool too. Is fundraising for some sort of MoFi scholarship too boring an idea? Amnesty Int'l letterwriting, perhaps? Sorry, brain is fuzzy at the moment, will come back if I can think of any other ideas.
• drjimmy, a MoFiProject page is in the works, when I and #2 have time to sit down together and get it up and running. I'd love to see work by monkeys given some free exposure. Check somewhere in past posts on my personal blog for details. The idea of a monkeylist is awesome. I wonder if we could pull it off wiki-style. I'm thinking yes. It's a given that a lot of us are still geographically isolated, but this will change with time. Seventhly, I'd be keen to add geographic co-ordinates (not zip codes because that would only work in the US) to the profile page, but I have a sinking feeling that the database isn't set up to make it easy to add new input fields to pages. I'll check, though, because this would kick ass and I've been thinking about it for ages anyway. Scholarships would be nice, once we figure out a) a better way than PayPal (I'm a little bitter right now) of managing the actual funds, and b) how to apply it. I know of a few hard-up studying monkeys that would appreciate this, and the less hard-up might enjoy playing the philanthropist. Hey, Mel, you've spawned already?!?
• No, no. ;) Sometimes I'm ready for it to be over by now, but it'll be over soon enough. Do a MoFi map? Plot out locations? If anyone can code it up that would be fun.
• I'm sure there's already a piece of code out there that does this. It's not perfect, but it works. You enter name and lat/long, and it maps it for you. I'll try to track it down.
• There is a couch-bed in Liverpool with a monkey's name on it. I vote for helping the animals, I prefere 'em to people. I'm already in Cats Protection League and WWF (not the wrestling one). Sponsoring a lemur would be good...
• Naturally, the Mothninja and I will host any simians who venture to Florence. I will break any of you out of third world prisons. Just have your people contact me.
• We could create a supervirus to wipe out humanity.
• Thanks for the mention path - though I haven't really put anything that monkeys could get involved in on the blog yet. I met with the folks from NetAid to help them network their Online Volunteering here in China, you can sign up there for some voluntary tasks that can be done remotely. I do a fair bit of translating of project proposals and what-not for local NGOs (though not via NetAid). I've done some Corporate Social responsibility consultancy work for some of the multinationals who source goods in factories here - there's probably things monkeys globally can get involved in globally there too. I have a nice foldy-out couch that will sleep two monkeys and I live in one of the nicer older districts of Beijing not far from the Drum Tower and the lakes, so if you ever fancy coming drop me a mail. The prospect of guests might make me tidy up for once. This is a fine idea Squidranch. In a way, I wouldn't be in a hurry to think up a cause. I often think you can build your networks and community and then be ready to rise to the tasks and challenges that you'll inevitably come across, which makes your involvement more natural and effective than hunting out good deeds to do. Anyhow, very interested. kitfisto - I'm in the middle of doing a job for WWF here as part of their 25 years in-country celebrations. They've got some great projects involving farming communities in conservation reserves
• Hmmm... DangerIsMyMiddleName is married to Mothninja... How about a Bonobo wifeswap?
• ok, i was all gung-ho for my idea, but then i saw fez's....LieFilter? I am soooo there...calling or being called by random people and then lying to them? wow...i shudder with glee...
• This is great. My couch is rated A++ by all who have slept on it. We're in Ottawa at the moment. Adopting a monkey would be great fun. Might be best to stick to those sorts of things, where no one can really be upset over it (who's going to complain about sponsoring a monkey?) Oh, and I have to say that Fes' contribution to the thread made me laugh my ass off. I mean, it's terrible, and unethical, but also funny. :)
• I like Melinika's scholarship idea. It's the best chance of universal agreement. Do we have enough potential donor monkeys to pull it off? Squid: Great post. Thanks! Fes: I like the way you think, dude.
• Hmm, on a scale of one to five pluses we're going to rate our couches? OK, mine's a ++ for short people, but I'll let you sleep in the guest room on the bed if you shower.
• Couches? Don't talk to me about couches. I've been sleeping on my father's couch for over a year. My health's been so crummy I haven't been able to get out to a Meetup in six months, so how am I going to find a decent place to live and move there? Any Southern California monkeys know (or have) a landlord offering a small cheap apartment to someone with a guaranteed income (Soc Sec Disability at a 'worked for 25 years' rate) but a terrible credit rating (including an ex-landlord going after me for what ex-roommates didn't pay)? Then, after I find a place, you all can help me move! (Ooooops... I think I went too far... Nevermind)
• What about a database of sorts where monkeys could list anything/everything that they could offer. For example I need a new camcorder and go on there and search it and find I can get a great deal if I get in contact with PareidoliaticBoy, and if I need a place to stay in a certain area I could search for that too. It could even be simple things like I know I could put "computer tech support by phone/email/IM" and then anyone who has a computer problem would have at least one resource besides paying for that kind of thing. Of course I don't know what it would take to code something like that....
• The telephone lie system is a great idea, Fes. I can't think that I'd ever need it, but I can see it being used to get all sorts of deserving people a break in a new job.
• Fes, equanimity's never been written up so good. lol.
• i say we fight crime and solve mysteries and drive around in a van... I'm all for this! I mean, it's going to be difficult to get everyone to agree on a charity but everyone would be on board for crime-fighting right? Right? The only reason i think they wouldn't be is if they were criminals. Those of you who are criminals please identify yourselves to avoid embarrassment.
• Anyone who isn't allergic to (extremely, some would say too) friendly dogs and cats and occasional teenagers is more than welcome to stay with me in Asheville, any time. There will be food & beer & you can smoke on the porch or up the chimney. There are couches & futons & all kinda nice things. Plus if you're traveling through & I still have this job I can get you good cheap green man ales, growler anyone? ;-) I like the idea of charity in theory more than in actuality, unfortunately. Time & money constraints = tired broke gothlaundry with unpredictable work schedule, which kind of leaves me off the volunteering thing. But if anyone can fund it I will SO jump in a van and travel around the country solving mysteries. And if a monkey finds themselves in trouble on the road or something near me, I am easily reachable.
• Maybe all of these ideas could be posted to the MoFiProjects page, once it's launched, or maybe there could be a special MoFiProBono page, for monkeys to post their ideas, charity organisations, grassroots political movements, or what have you, and for others to browse. That way we don't all have to settle on one thing. I for one am particulary interested in Abiezer's Corporate Social responsibility thingamabob, having just watched The Corporation yesterday. I'm itching to find something to do in that area. Loved the FibFilter idea, Fes; I'm a bit baffled by cynnbad's response.
• squid, this is a fine idea but I think I agree with Abiezer, that as particular problems/needs arise we will develop means to cope with them. If there's a worthwile project, monkeys who can and want to help will undoubtedly do what's needed. Don't think we need complete consensus in order to get things done, just enough willing hands. Fes, you are a man of devilish cunning!
• I sincerely doubt that any of you will find your way to my neck of the woods, unless you want to make a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Clinton, but I have a couch and not one but TWO large inflatable mattresses at your disposal. I also have a swingset that is the very definition of badass. I have a detached garage/brown recluse spider habitat suitable for drinking beer in, as well. Funds are very tight for Mrs. Tool and I as of late, but I'd be happy to help out however I can.
• Oh, and I'm intrigued by sexyrobot's idea, though I have no idea how we could get involved with such a thing. I understand perfectly well how Fes's idea would work, on the other hand, and salute him proudly.
• we just need to find a good programmer...or group of them into it to write a code that is verifiable and untamperable throughout the voting process....no small feat...oh, and im guessing the code should be compact as well...or enough so that added lines are really obvious...then the rest is a bunch of door to door throughout the country...easy for a big group of monkey... a possible script... "hello mr maths professor...we're working on a project to help end corruption in our voting system...and we need your help..." if the each monkey contacted 5 math teachers and explained it to them, and they each contacted 5, and they each contacted 5, etc...we should be able to hit them all within the course of a month, month and a half(?) like i said, once the code's done, speed is the key...make it a 'done deal' before it can be undone... oh, and everyone involved, EVERYONE, should not donate to any partisan campaign fund or election during the process...to make sure its fair and balanced throughout.... or am i crazy? i just think something should be done before it's too late (if it isn't already....
• I think setting up a swap system for odd things, including free lodging, would be fun. As far as the big picture, it may be hard to pick one or two charities for people to rally behind but I think it is feasible. Maybe we, as a group, could make some pledges to volunteer locally and document our experiences in a designated area. That way, everyone could choose a cause they believe in and it would make a difference in our immediate comunity.
• I'm digging genial's take - that we establish a kind of skills and expertise bank/searchable database. I'm not so good for couches, but I can edit essays and tell you loads about my city and escorting. And, believe it or not, I'm good for relationshup advice, probably because I've figured out exactly why they don't work for me. I know there are monkeys with amazing skills, niche interests and obscure talents galore. We will become the invincible Morg!
• BTW, I'm looking for dancehall monkeys to tell me who they're listening to.
• Genial's idea is pretty cool, but basically boils down to a craigslist for monkeys, which is still very cool, but it costs money and time, maybe more than people are willing to kick in. Nonetheless, my couch is always open for anyone who finds themselves in Portland Oregon. Many fellow bloggers and online friends have crashed here when in town. I can provide assistance to any monkey's needing help with AV systems, specifically projection video. A bit niche, but it's what I know :)
• Wonderful post, Squid. While funds are presently tight, I do have a big comfy couch, with a great view. And I make a mean banana bread. Glad to help where I can. Imagine! A band of dedicated monkeys spanning the globe to help the downtrodden, fight crime, tell outrageous lies and couch surf. We'll be unstoppable. Of course, we'll need a secret monkey handshake and magic monkey decoder rings.
• #mofirc offers to provide relationship and sex advice on Monday nights (US time zones). We're scarily good at it, as a handful of Monkeys can testify.
• Shh, Secret Squirrel.
• Sweet! And #mofirc definitely rocks the relationship advice I must say
• MonkeyFilter: Those of you who are criminals please identify yourselves to avoid embarrassment. StoryBoard: I ran a stop sign last night. *hangs head
• I tried excuses in the mirror I always took the biggest piece I never saved you in the fire I never stopped to hear you but kept on talking I dallied when delay was fatal I knew the password but kept my lips locked I mafe it sound like I was brave and loyal at last you asked for help I walked away and kept on walking
• Blue Horse, I can be a huge pain in the ass. Although this is not a criminal offence, it is still a true statement. Ask any of the LA monkeys. But you can sleep on my futon in safety.
• I squished (ran over) a cat a while back.
• I like the scholarship idea too, maybe especially if it's not limited to traditional university programs. I couldn't promise a huge amount, but together small donations would add up, right? I haven't hosted people I've never met before, but with appropriate creep screens in place (for your safety and mine), I could offer a spare bed.
• Wot kind of scholarship are we talking about?
• Bluehorse bravely confesses: I ran a stop sign last night Great, you can drive the van! We'll get to the crime scene faster than competing crime-busting squads. You do need to pick a crime-fighting alias though.
• Great, you can drive the van! Don't forget to take those panties out of the glovebox first...
• Ramix reveals that: I squished (ran over) a cat a while back. Sounds like an honest mistake to me. Welcome aboard the crime-fighting monkey van! You can be our forensics expert.
• Just thought I'd pop in and give a nod of approval and then quickly disappear again.
• In no particular order: MonkeyFilter: Sometimes I'm ready for it to be over by now, but it'll be over soon enough. MonkeyFilter: We could create a supervirus to wipe out humanity. MonkeyFilter: We can outfit you with a scoot. MonkeyFilter: No, you can't sleep on my couch, but you wouldn't want to anyway. MonkeyFilter: A band of dedicated monkeys spanning the globe to help the downtrodden, fight crime, tell outrageous lies and couch surf. We're unstoppable. MonkeyFilter: We'll need a secret monkey handshake and magic monkey decoder rings. MonkeyFilter: Don't forget to take those panties out of the glovebox. I ... have had two folks crash on my extra futon. A rotund Aussy chap who brought me some delicious home harvested honey from his own hives and a somewhat neurasthenic brit gal with waxy hair from Manchester Squidranch: Well, that was lovely that the Aussy chap brought you honey and a neurasthenic brit gal. What did you do with the honey?
• Hey, all you Albquerque Monkeys! Looks like Mr. B. has got a hair up and wants to leave for a two week vacation. The plan is to hit the South side of the Grand Canyon for a couple days, then head on to Albquerque. We'll be headed back via the Four Corners area. As long as we can find a horse babysitter, we'll be leaving Wednesday (!eeek!) The plan is fairly loose as far as timing--this is supposed to be fun, deep breath, repeat after me: This is supposed to be fun but we should hit Albquerque this weekend. We have a futon at the daughter's apartment, but I was wondering if there would be a Monkey or several available for a short meetup with the old folks--perhaps over the weekend or mid-week?
• Bluehorse, we spread it all over the british girl and tied her to an aunt hill. My aunts Donna, Betty, Vera and Alice picked her bones clean.
• My God squidranch! Is the feared Aunt Hill Mob still at large?
• I like a few of the suggestions: 1) the donating to charity idea: I would maybe vote for tsunami relief? I'd bet that donations are way down to them these days... or will be soon. I'm flexible on this, though, as there are tons of worthwhile causes out there, sadly. 2) the scholarship idea: would this go to our monkeys? Or to scientists who study monkeys? Or to sponsoring a non-human monkey? This could go into any number of exciting ideas! 3) the voting idea: I think this is very cool (I couldn't verify my vote in the last election, and that sucked), but I also think it's too big for us. We'd have to partner with either other community blogs (the folks at BoingBoing are certainly technologically connected), a political site (which could get at least some of us mixed up in politics we're not interested in or agree with) , or a tech blog, which I'm sure others know more about than me. ... just brainstorming, here.
• squid, this is a wonderful idea! Here's my take: No couch available; the one we have is a (nearly) literal back breaker. I fell asleep on it one night 2 weeks ago and my back still hurts when I turn to the right. I vote for ASPCA volunteering. There's a local one in every city, and even if there's not, there's some sort of animal shelter. I'm currently doing a bit for Happy Tails, although I've been thinking about switching to a more needy org. However, studying for my MCSA has meant cutting way back on the time I give. As far as the Monkeyfilter Scholarship goes, I think it's a wonderful idea. There are plenty of younguns here (me included) who are trying to get an education, but for whom financial aid & grants are an impossibility. However, money is a tricky one. The giving & managing of it would be a nightmare, and then there's got to be the process of deciding who gets it. Then, someone's got to set up the forms for IRS deductions & all that. How about instead of a scholarship (for now), we set up a book sharing & study partner thing? We've got #mofirc, the wiki, and of course, right here for those of us who want to help/need help but can't meet in person.
• Many monkeys are NOT American. So if we try something like a scholarship or political action we might want to be ;ess US-centric in our thinking.
• = less
• Well spoken, bee. And who would be the number one politician/poet that monkeys everywhere should band together to try to rid the world of? Heh. And as for the crime-fighting angle- why has there been no mention of capes and unitards?
• This training and advocacy group for migrant womens workers in Beijing would make a good partner for scholarships. I've done some stuff for their parent organisation Rural Women Knowing All. Getting overseas donations to Chinese non-profits can be tricky though. There must be a host of similar groups in Africa and Latin America.
• Hmm... this seems really iffy to me. This is a great site for discussion with people of different perspectives- if it turns into a politcal advocacy site (anti-Bush, for the sake of argument) you are going to alienate a lot of people and give the site an agenda. I certainly have my pet causes (Families Against Mandatory Minimums), but I dont expect eevryone here to support them. And while you are all more than welcome to support animal rights groups, they are not getting any of my money, not while there are humans serving life sentences for marijuana possession, etc.
• MonkeyFilter: No mention of capes and unitards.
• Maybe what would be nice instead of asking all involved to contribute to a single cause would be to have some sort of charity-contribution tracker, where everyone could list their activities, have a sort of buddy to help them keep on track (I know from experience how easy it can be to slack on volunteer work), chart financial contributions. The competitive touch could be encouraging to some, and if one monkey has a pet charity/project that another likes, they can ask about how to get involved. The scholarship one is vague, yes. It would be nice to keep it within MoFi, although meredithea's idea of possibly giving it to non-MoFi people who are doing primate research is also cool. I like minda's idea of book-sharing and study partners and that could easily be done informally via the Wiki or IRC.
• I think a charity-tracker would be a nice feature, especially if we could link it to a general Monkey Generousity Index :) There are charities I support that I'd love to see get a bit more press (shoutout to the PPRF). Scholarship would be very cool, and I don't see why it would have to be US-centric. I'd think a couple hundred $ or the local equivalent to go towards books might be cool and less of an administrative hassle. ask monkeys to write a short essay, post them anonymously and have a vote as to which one has the most merit?
• Agree with patita's first paragraph. Agree a couple of hundred bucks can be helpful to students or scholars. Not sure if an essay contest is the best way to go, though. Think more reflection may be advisable before we back any particular selection scheme. Some things may need to be clarifed: Who is eligible to apply? Should this be limited to students or scholars? Would students not yet in college be eligible? Should whatever assistance we give be need-based or should it be merit-based? Essay contest will probably reward the best writer, but do we want to use some other critereria?
• I also agree that an essay is a flawed means of judging... but it seemed like a way for a monkey to communicate the reason for requesting the scholarship. Maybe we could design a survey? I used merit in the sense of deserve, be it on base of need or talent. bad word choice. as for the limitations, I'm not sure. I'd guess that the funds should go towards serious scholarship (whether attached to a university or no). Another term to clarify: serious scholarship as in working toward a degree, certification, or a product that furthers the state of the field. Examples could be junior year books, yoga instructor certification, publication of your translation of an obscure Russian novel, or postgrad fieldwork with bonobos... to name a few (optional fun: guess which I tried to do!).
• Other ideas: a monkey pundit casino. Pundit monkeys bet against each other on everything from elections, sports, etc. Proceeds to charity and so on. Monkey collaborative art: i bet we could think of some nifty way to tap into the collective artistic talents of the arty monkeys. Monkey collaborative investment portfolio. Pick stocks, get rich. Retire with unlimited bananas. Also i like the book-sharing idea. I've always wanted to tackle some of the daunting classics but i know i don't have the willpower to do it by myself.
• Well, if anyone needs video production and/or post production (including motion graphics and compositing), I'd be happy to help out, either for $$$ (what I prefer) or if the project intrigues me enough, for costs (meals, expendible supplies, etc.). I, like like drjimmy11 am a screenwriter and have written and directed several long shorts (30 minutes) and have pretty much an entire production kit (broadcast camera, lights, sound, dolly, etc.) so if someone comes up with a monkey movie idea I'd be interested in hearing from you. Sexyrobot and I were talking about an idea that he had for a video. Perhaps that could still be revived.
• "I also think we should ponder how we monkeys can help each other." "We could also see if there is a social movement that we could all get behind." So how bout The MonkeyFilter Lobby, allowing a diverse group from various places to support diverse causes in various places. Assuming we can agree upon some set of values or causes we can then swing our collective voices out and about. This would allow those without extra $ to use there time, bandwidth and skills to contribute. For example one week we support a campaign for WWF(or whoever) by sending e-mail,fax and cashifyougotit to fight some politico/Corporate dip who needs a public spanking. Next week #1 tells us the local council wont fix the potholes in front, monkey pile on. If that does not work we send the van with the monkeys in capes and unitards. Next week it is another deed. Does not need to be congress level either, in my goofy town e-mails from around the world telling them they are about to do something stupid (like pave a park) works and gets things done. Sort of a Monkey@Home Distributed Computing action alert and telephone fib system. This post brought to you by The MonkeyFilter Lobby, when 12 monkeys are not enough. Hmm just a thought.
• Mesmer, that's a great idea!
• Good one, Mesmer. (((
• That is cool.
• We could call it MONKEY BITCHSLAP, YO!
• Squid- I am intrigued by your "monkey movie" idea, however I dont know how much time I would have to dedicate to it... I am going to be working on a short of my own, probably in May or June and a crapload of other stuff.
• Squid and drjimmy11, i didn't know you guys were involved with screenwriting. That's pretty neat. I took a 1 year scriptwriting program last year and am working on some things in the background: a play and some ideas for short films.
• I like the "A band of dedicated monkeys spanning the globe to help the downtrodden, fight crime, tell outrageous lies and couch surf. We're unstoppable."
• Bagsy the black unitard.
• You know the North American monkeys are going to wonder who you're calling Bagsy.
• If I create one small mystery a day for them to solve, by god imagine how powerful our crime fighting skills will become in no time!
• Dibs on the red unitard! ;-)
• Squid and drjimmy11, i didn't know you guys were involved with screenwriting. Really? I at least never shut the hell up about it. Hopefully in the next two months, I am shooting my first real short, "In the Year 2937 When Rock and Roll is Forgotten and Robots Rule O'er the Land."
• He's an obese ninja dwarf She's a mistrustful belly-dancing detective with an MBA from Harvard. They fight crime!
• Time for the capes and unitards! Check comments in Tracicle's blog. :-(
• To the Monkeymobile!
• Joking aside, is there anything we can do? Suggestions, anybody?
• Is the t-shirt Paypal account still open?
• Alnedra, no joking intended - bringing this thread up on the sidebar was designed to light the monkey beacon re a fellow monkey in trouble. I don't have any ideas and being a newish monkey, don't know him very well, but nobody needs that kind of misery. I'd like to help, and if islander's hinted-at suggestion seems like it's in the ballpark, I'm game.
• Sorry, fish tick, I wasn't censuring anyone at all. The Paypal thing might be an idea though.
• The PayPal thing is indeed still open. Anyone who wants to help out, email me. I have details.
• I must shamefully wait till next week. Right now I'm in the red and just spent my last few pounds on groceries today. Next week will be better, hopefully *cross fingers*
• Does paypal now transfer funds easily to the antipodes? It was a nightmare a year or so ago.
• I can withdraw and then create a transfer from the bank/write a cheque. It's doable.
• I sell crap antiques for a living. If anyone has questions regarding values of your utter garbage antiques, I'll be glad to help. I also have a couch with a well worn ass groove available here in Chicago.
• So- what are the chances of Nostril's famously stuffed shirt arriving at the same time as the monkey moving party? Y'all *are* gonna swing by Australia with pickup trucks, right? Right?
• So, Argh, is the ass-groove couch a valuable antique?
• I've almost finished attaching the waterwings to the old pickup truck. Anybody need a lift?
• Value is relative.