Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with hype

How to not be stupid?

drea — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:01:03 -0800

How do I deal with getting conned, smooth talkers, and pressure cookers? I feel like I get sweet-talked into everything and that my family has to stop me, and that I buy into the hype and pressure that would have me bending over backwards for people. I accept everything at face value and find it hard to remind myself to take a step back and understand not everything or everyone are what they seem. I need to have a poker face and not seem too eager or excited about anything.

Teach me to be cautious, and not assume every opportunity being thrown at me is OMG I NEED TO DO THIS NOW, because it seems I'm finding it hard to learn my lesson.

Decent Pet Food

rtimmel — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:43:09 -0800

How does one go about picking out a nutritionally good pet food? I currently have two pets right now -- a six-month old kitten and a 12-year old dog -- and am having a hard time choosing decent dry food for them. Once you get out of the basic Purina Chows (which may be, for all I know, perfectly nutritional) there seems to be a LOT of hype built into the system. I don't think they need dry food containing wild salmon, nor do they need hollistically designed kibble. On the other hand, I do want them to eat a well-balanced, nutritional diet. Any suggestions?

whats the hype about cutting up concert posters

edtut — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:56:00 -0800

In the film HYPE, why does that guy keep on cutting up concert flyers, and what does it mean? i am not sure who the guy is, but through the film they cut to little snippets of commnetary from him. he will make some social remark about seattle or grunge, then get a concert leaflet, quote how much it is worth, and cut it with a guillotine.
what is he trying to express by telling us how much they are worth and then cutting them up?
and why was that considered important enough to include it so many times in the film?
i obviously am missing something, because when i watch HYPE it just seems lame and out of place.
please explain

Shoot the Messenger? Cult of Personality?

divabat — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:11:26 -0800

Which causes or ideas have become more about the messenger than the message? I remember, for a while after "An Inconvenient Truth" came out, there was a lot of fuss given on Al Gore personally alongside (and sometimes more than) the attention on climate change. Now Al Gore's fame has quelled a little, but I was wondering if there have been any other social causes or new ideas that are now only remembered because of the presenter - or even if those ideas have fallen by the wayside in favour of the presenter's personality.

While Princess Diana brought landmines to greater public attention, it wasn't the cause of her fame, and the landmines cause hasn't diminished just because of her. Similarly, there isn't one clear person that can be credited for the gay rights movement or the feminist movement.

However, how many people would understand Albert Einstein's Theory or Relativity or how it's relevant to today's world? How about Stephen Hawking's work on astrophysics? Has their "celebrity" overshadowed understanding of their work on a mass level?

Also, has there been any studies or research done in this area? Is there a name for this phenomena?

Best way to sheathe an iPhone?

killdevil — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:07:15 -0800

What's the best lightweight, unobtrusive and form-fitting iPhone case? I have succumbed to the hype, and purchased one of these uninsurable monstrosities, despite the fact that I am known as a fumbler of cellphones. How can I ensure that my iPhone retains its shiny, flawless Jobs-ian perfection?

Influence of the "blogosphere"

bjork24 — Tue, 16 May 2006 14:48:34 -0800

Does anyone have specific examples of products that were either boosted or busted solely from buzz created on the "blogosphere?" I'm trying to come up with a list of products that, had it not been for the attention they received on blogs, would never have been successful. Or vice versa. I'm thinking along the lines of the slanket or the optimus keyboard. Any others?

Bands Oasis has hyped or dissed?

Siberian Mist — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 14:07:43 -0800

MeanMonobrowHypeMachinefilter: I'm looking for a list of bands that have been hyped or dissed by Oasis. I know they're hyping Secret Machines right now, and have done the same for The Soundtrack Of Our Lives in the past. Quotes from Liam or Noel are very welcome.