This is a question about politicized business relationships and whether I should remain connected with a company that's doing things differently from industry "best practices" as I understand them. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 15, 2009 - 3 answers

What are the great patterning works of literature? In Book by Book, Michael Dirda presents a list of what he calls “patterning works” which he describes as books that “. . later authors regularly build on, allude to, work against.” and which he says “ . . . ought to lie at the heart of any structured reading program.” [more inside]
posted by jason's_planet on Sep 17, 2009 - 73 answers

Can you prove what someone's blood alcohol level would have been two hours ago based on what it is now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 1, 2009 - 18 answers

Measuring influence: how do political lobbyists or similar groups measure their success? [more inside]
posted by StephenF on Jun 23, 2008 - 5 answers

How do I stop myself from being affected by my friends' relationship problems? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Nov 20, 2006 - 9 answers

Help me find a well-written article explaining the Anglo-Saxon roots/influences found in The Lord of the Rings. [more inside]
posted by mattbucher on Nov 16, 2006 - 7 answers

How do you get people to do things you tell them to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 25, 2006 - 25 answers

Are there any well-known songs that were (or might have been) recorded while the artist was stoned/wasted/tripping/etc? Not counting concert performances, unless the song charted. [more inside]
posted by zek on Jun 26, 2006 - 47 answers

Terrorism Question: I've heard repeatedly in the news and read in several news articles that terrorists are plotting against the United States in hopes of influencing the Presidential election. What does this mean, and how to they expect to influence it? [More Inside] [more inside]
posted by banished on Aug 8, 2004 - 39 answers

Is the United Nations merely a guide for other nations to follow, or is their an innate burden of power within its charter?
posted by the fire you left me on Apr 9, 2004 - 23 answers