I've decided that it is time for me to learn how to make chili and I'm looking for some pointers and resources on advanced chili theory. More composition and less paint-by-numbers, please. [more inside]
posted by toomuchpete on Nov 16, 2009 - 47 answers

What textbooks and/or texts would you recommend for an undergraduate Rhetorical Theory class? [more inside]
posted by BlooPen on Nov 2, 2009 - 6 answers

Innovative Books: I am looking to compile a list of the most innovative uses of the book format. Books that break the mould in their layout and design, perhaps books that use online systems to extend their content value or push their form into new places. I am most interested in narrative and theory, but any book that is interesting (artist books etc.) would be really appreciated. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Nov 1, 2009 - 29 answers

How to simultaneously exchange information? [more inside]
posted by deadweightloss on Oct 26, 2009 - 40 answers

Where can I learn more about the theory behind The Long Tail? I've read the book but want something more than just examples. [more inside]
posted by nam3d on Oct 25, 2009 - 6 answers

Possible Jungian Reasons for *Getting into Someone's Head*? [more inside]
posted by watercarrier on Oct 23, 2009 - 4 answers

What is the most important scientific question of our time? [more inside]
posted by Demogorgon on Oct 12, 2009 - 44 answers

I'm looking for interesting theories/discussions around the phenomenon of corporate inertia [more inside]
posted by runkelfinker on Oct 12, 2009 - 4 answers

Help me find this famous quote (paragraph) about string theory? [more inside]
posted by tzikeh on Sep 17, 2009 - 4 answers

Browsing today's newspapers here in Scotland it would seem that there is an anti-Scottish feeling pervading the whole of the USA after the compassionate release of the Pan-Am bomber last week. Question1: Am I right in thinking that this is the case, or is it just right wing neo-con nonsense eminating from the Fox News stable? Question2: If this anti-Scottish feeling does exist, how best can I explain that we the UK/US public have been sold a lie by our Governments and that this guy was merely a patsy? [more inside]
posted by cameronfromedinburgh on Aug 26, 2009 - 60 answers

Let's say I wanted to educate myself to sort-of the equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree in Information and Data (not sure what the real degree would be called, but you get the idea). What should be in my syllabus? [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious on Jul 26, 2009 - 13 answers

I just bought an ukulele, and I want to learn how to play it. Thing is, I know nothing about music in general. What should I learn? [more inside]
posted by TheyCallItPeace on Jul 23, 2009 - 32 answers

Please recommend your favourite books on theory building. [more inside]
posted by Sutekh on Jul 4, 2009 - 1 answer

Is it too late for me to get into physics? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jun 30, 2009 - 15 answers

In what cases is game theory a good model of actual human behavior? [more inside]
posted by jasonhong on Jun 17, 2009 - 9 answers

Can anybody elaborate on a discussion on hypothetically stopping suicide bombers that was featured on The Unit? [more inside]
posted by cali59 on Jun 12, 2009 - 7 answers

Applying for AHRC funding for an Art PhD. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Mar 30, 2009 - 0 answers

What are the day-to-day details of a world based on Social Credit? How do companies conduct their business? How are civic services accomplished? [more inside]
posted by cowbellemoo on Feb 26, 2009 - 5 answers

Why are these two males acting funny with me? [more inside]
posted by InterestedInKnowing on Feb 19, 2009 - 23 answers

Rogerian Theory Project [more inside]
posted by roxiesmom on Feb 16, 2009 - 4 answers

I am looking for writings on mimesis in regards new, digital, hypertext and hypermedial technologies and cultures. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Feb 16, 2009 - 7 answers

How would you go about proving that the law of demand does not exist? [more inside]
posted by johannahdeschanel on Jan 31, 2009 - 8 answers

I listen to a lot of 'contemporary' music (not classical), but how do I better understand music reviews and explain what I hear to my friends and peers ? [more inside]
posted by fizzix on Jan 23, 2009 - 11 answers

What are some good books on the theory or aesthetics of photography. [more inside]
posted by shothotbot on Jan 5, 2009 - 15 answers

Looking for movies with the technique of split screen. Also, I'm looking for free media theory papers on the topic. [more inside]
posted by codybaldwin on Jan 2, 2009 - 19 answers

KinkFilter: Is there currently any sociological research on sexual kinks, specifically long-term BDSM relationships? My friend and I were talking a couple days ago, and we were wondering if D/s dynamics were more common among certain demographics (i.e., college-educated, middle class, particular ethnic groups, certain religions, etc.), and I decided that MeFi might know if anyone was publishing on this stuff.
posted by aliceinreality on Nov 26, 2008 - 14 answers

Brain shift: How do I transition out of a heavily academic/theoretical mode, and into a creative one? [more inside]
posted by lottie on Nov 24, 2008 - 12 answers

I'm looking for both films, books, and short stories where the story of a girl or a woman is told solely through the perspective of a male narrator. [more inside]
posted by zoomorphic on Nov 13, 2008 - 31 answers

Can anyone help me out with getting a pdf copy of Robert Cox's 1981 article - "Social Forces, States, and World Orders"? [more inside]
posted by knapah on Oct 31, 2008 - 4 answers

I'm writing a paper which deals with architectural representation. In doing so I'm providing very brief explanations of plans, sections & elevations intended to bring a non-design crowd up to speed on these conventions. I'm looking for informative and quasi-poetic quotes to describe, contextualize and problematize these drawing types. What should I use? [more inside]
posted by serial_consign on Oct 26, 2008 - 3 answers

Given a set of guitar chords, I want to know how I can determine what key a song is in. [more inside]
posted by crapples on Sep 10, 2008 - 13 answers

How can apply game theory to help me negotiate a better deal? [more inside]
posted by matholio on Sep 9, 2008 - 11 answers

As a man, does talking to a woman about your adventures with other women put you on the friends ladder? [more inside]
posted by harwons on Sep 5, 2008 - 66 answers

Please help me find the most romantic equation [more inside]
posted by twistedmetal on Aug 24, 2008 - 7 answers

How can I learn to apply theories and concepts that I learn to real-world situations? [more inside]
posted by AvailableName on Jul 10, 2008 - 6 answers

In music, why does the key of F have a B flat and not an A sharp? Is there actually a difference, or is it just musical tradition that a flat is used in this key and not a sharp? [more inside]
posted by stenoboy on Jun 27, 2008 - 33 answers

Where did Bob Dylan's use of the fourth scale degree originate? [more inside]
posted by dfan on Jun 24, 2008 - 13 answers

Are warez sites that are a "one time payment for unlimited downloads" basically all a scam? [more inside]
posted by figTree on Jun 21, 2008 - 11 answers

What can you tell me about 'Poe(t)heory'? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jun 18, 2008 - 3 answers

What is the word or Phrase for a situation where competing persons become emroiled in a "sub game "? A different level of competition, so to say. Relates to game theory somehow. It may or may not include the word "pareto". Thanks.
posted by Student of Man on Jun 3, 2008 - 8 answers

Literary Darwinism: A relatively new field of evolutionary psychology / literary theory. What has recently been written in argument against it? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jun 3, 2008 - 7 answers

The 2nd law of thermodynamics (entropy theory) has been applied to information theory, economics, natural selection and human behaviour. How do I relate it to software projects? [more inside]
posted by gttommy on May 10, 2008 - 14 answers

I'm looking for websites that analyse the work of successful or well known photographers in the art genre (as opposed to documentary or portraiture styles). [more inside]
posted by b33j on Apr 23, 2008 - 5 answers

LogosFilter: Could a blog entry that contains two words and their definitions be consistent with the definition of a dictionary? [more inside]
posted by vanoakenfold on Apr 23, 2008 - 8 answers

Help me identify this Post Modern cultural theory. Prime example: cops on the TV show COPS act differently than they normally would, since they're being filmed for TV. Kids watch COPS thinking that's what cops actually are like. Kids eventually grow up and be cops themselves, emulating cops-on-TV, not "true" cops. [more inside]
posted by nemoorange on Apr 21, 2008 - 18 answers

Recursion filter: I recently came across the phrase 'Mise en Abyme' and have become fascinated by recursion in literature, language and film. What writings have used these themes in their form to address the questions they posed? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Apr 2, 2008 - 20 answers

I am looking for writings on the infinity of definition. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Mar 13, 2008 - 32 answers

What are some good books/essays/articles about human sexuality, sexual and romantic relationships, and sexual or otherwise affection-entangled activity - with an emphasis on the theoretical? I'm thinking more along the lines of Judith Butler than The Joy of Sex - so suggestions should be at least vaguely academic. (Things like Leaves of Grass count as vaguely academic). [more inside]
posted by bubukaba on Mar 10, 2008 - 21 answers

What would a person have to do in order to get a one year jail sentence in the California penal system. [more inside]
posted by SECONDHANDSMOTE on Feb 15, 2008 - 18 answers

Colour Theory: I have an ActionScript 3 project that has models that wear changeable clothing, where the style and colour of the clothing can change. The clothing is composed of several layers (colour, border, details) and there are preset colours for the 'colour' layer. When the colour layer changes I need to automatically calculate a contrasting colour for the border layer. I know this involves the HSV colour space but I'm struggling to get good results. [more inside]
posted by gaby on Feb 13, 2008 - 2 answers