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 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 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 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 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 on Apr 2, 2008 - 18 answers

I am looking for writings on the infinity of definition. [more inside]
posted 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 on Mar 10, 2008 - 19 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 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 on Feb 13, 2008 - 2 answers

Do any podcasts exist that deal (fairly) rigorously with literary/media theory and/or continental philosophy? [more inside]
posted on Feb 5, 2008 - 2 answers

How is the meaning of art and artefacts being altered by the methods we use to: Experience, Define and Preserve them... In other words, in what ways have technologies been used to experience, re-define and/or preserve art and artifacts? [more inside]
posted on Feb 5, 2008 - 12 answers

Waht is the nmae of the teorhy taht olny the frsit and lsat lttres of a wrod msut rmeian itnact for smoenoe to raed the wrod?
posted on Feb 1, 2008 - 10 answers

Help me use game theory to better understand the seemingly irrational behavior at my workplace [more inside]
posted on Jan 30, 2008 - 16 answers

I am interested in the mimetic and narrative capacities of artefacts, how cultural remnants transmit information through time and how meaning is translated once an artefact is re-appropriated or examined from a new perspective. I have several avenues of study at the moment (a list in extended explanation), but would like some more ideas. Areas of critical theory, linguistics, evolutionary psychology and poetics are all relevant. [more inside]
posted on Jan 27, 2008 - 12 answers

Have any literary theorists or critics, or professors of literature, written about literary terrorism? By literary terrorism, I mean the use of flash violence to shock subvert political or cultural structures. I will especially appreciate studies that explicitly analyze these techniques in comparison with concrete terroristic acts.
posted on Nov 23, 2007 - 13 answers

Can you refer me to sophisticated discussions of violence that is driven by hybrid forms of capitalism and religion? [more inside]
posted on Nov 16, 2007 - 2 answers

is there a book on the mathematics of chess? [more inside]
posted on Oct 18, 2007 - 6 answers

What books or websites do you recommend that look at popular music (I really mean 70s and 80s) from a music theory perspective. For example, [more inside]
posted on Aug 29, 2007 - 12 answers

Where can I find smart, theoretical writing about video games? [more inside]
posted on Jul 29, 2007 - 21 answers

SelfDirectedStudyFilter: How do you figure out what to read next, in order to supplement your current and recent readings, or expand your understanding of concepts/themes? Are there any good resources for this (other than university)? [more inside]
posted on Jul 28, 2007 - 6 answers

I read somewhere that, in theory, two solids coming into repeated contact should at some point (assume we're dealing with infinity) pass through each other. Nearest I can come is molecular harmonic resonance, or this slightly dubious writeup. Is this a observed phenomenon? Or is there a formal theory for this?
posted on Jul 24, 2007 - 14 answers

So I've become pretty obsessed with 'I Want You Back' - the Jackson 5 song. How do I play and write that kind of music? [more inside]
posted on Jul 3, 2007 - 18 answers

Guitar tuning through harmonics: Could you fine fine folks explain the physical/mathematical principles behind the increased "distortion" as two guitar strings being tuned through harmonics approach being tuned? [more inside]
posted on May 19, 2007 - 24 answers

I don't believe that authenticity exists in any form. What scholars/philosophers/social critics have argued similiarly? Jameson? Derrida? Deleuze? [more inside]
posted on May 17, 2007 - 29 answers

i think there is a term--rhetorical or otherwise-- for the way "conspiracy theory" can serve to cloud the environment of ideas thereby rendering politically unpopular notions inert regardless of their veracity. anybody know what im struggling to effin describe and label?
posted on Apr 18, 2007 - 27 answers

I've recently come across someone who disputes the Germ Theory of Disease. Has anyone ever heard of such a crazy thing before?
posted on Feb 21, 2007 - 17 answers

Are there any good academic papers out there applying political theory and philosophy to the moderation of online forums? Also interested in recommendations of papers on moderation in online forums in general. [more inside]
posted on Feb 8, 2007 - 8 answers

I am looking for well regarded books/scholarly papers about writing. Most specifically in the areas of Nonfiction (the essay style of article writing) and Children's Fiction (for a young adult audience). Any tips? Go as far and broad as you can. I'll be off to the British library tomorrow, so the sky is the limit. [more inside]
posted on Jan 9, 2007 - 6 answers

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS: David Lynch's Inland Empire. What does it all mean? I have developed some theories and read some others, but I'd love to pick the Metafilter Brain Trust.
posted on Dec 11, 2006 - 6 answers

What theorists have used concepts from physics (fields, forces, energy) as a way to talk about factors involved in the design process that are not literally physical (for example ergonomics/human behavior/psychology)? [more inside]
posted on Dec 8, 2006 - 12 answers

Help me learn/improve on vocal melody writing techniques. [more inside]
posted on Nov 6, 2006 - 9 answers

What's the relationship between the melody of a song and its chord structure? [more inside]
posted on Nov 4, 2006 - 32 answers

'The Flâneur': What fascinating titbits can you add to my knowledge about this concept? Art, history, philosophy and literary theory links all welcome. [more inside]
posted on Oct 25, 2006 - 22 answers

Except for an early obsession with e.e. cummings, I know nothing about poetry. Can anyone recommend a good book to jumpstart my poetry literacy? [more inside]
posted on Oct 13, 2006 - 21 answers

Is there a food/culinary theory equivalent to literary or film theory? [more inside]
posted on Sep 11, 2006 - 12 answers

How does software which tries to detect the key of a piece of music work (and how reliable is it)? [more inside]
posted on Sep 4, 2006 - 4 answers

I-believe-in-evolutionism-but... Filter: I am wondering what evidence exists that man descended from apes. [more inside]
posted on Aug 22, 2006 - 52 answers

I'm trying to remember a theory about the arts in which the progression of a genre moves through various well-defined stages... [more inside]
posted on Aug 18, 2006 - 4 answers

what are some good essays, books, etc about the relationship of color to social and cultural trends? [more inside]
posted on Aug 12, 2006 - 4 answers

How do I come up with a scientific theory to explain complex phenomena? My area of research is medicine, but I'm interested in the opinions of all flavors of scientists. [more inside]
posted on Aug 3, 2006 - 8 answers

I have this weird theory involving ghosts (sort of) and I want to know if there are essays or writers out there with similar theories I can use to develop my own... [more inside]
posted on Jul 17, 2006 - 8 answers

Conspiracy filter: Has anyone ever experienced this strange, suspicious phenomenon on TV before? [more inside]
posted on Jul 6, 2006 - 19 answers

Is Dark Matter the new Phlogiston? [more inside]
posted on Jun 26, 2006 - 35 answers

How do I travel the West Coast by rail for cheap? I have the general plan mapped out (I want to go north... or south?). I most certainly will see people and places in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego. Hopefully in a semi-linear fashion with interesting walk-abouts in between. I'm thinking railpass. I'm not really asking for nuts and bolts, I'm asking for [more inside]
posted on Jun 20, 2006 - 16 answers

Mefi mathematicians: How can I prepare to teach basic math? Much more inside! [more inside]
posted on Mar 2, 2006 - 15 answers

Why are C and F the notes without corresponding flat keys on the piano? [more inside]
posted on Feb 24, 2006 - 67 answers

A kid (12) knows classical piano and has a good teacher for that, but she also wants to learn jazz. Do you have suggestions? [more inside]
posted on Feb 22, 2006 - 16 answers

I want to know more about the history of Russian biology--especially in the period from Darwin to Lysenko (roughly 75 years). I don't know any Russian, so the source has to be in English. Anyone know anything that would fit this description?
posted on Feb 20, 2006 - 2 answers

I like to cook, but I'd like to know more of the theory of how and why to do things. [more inside]
posted on Feb 3, 2006 - 30 answers

Which recent book by Slavoj Zizek should I read? I've read "Welcome to the Desert of the Real" and "Did Somebody Say Totalitarianism?" and, although I don't agree with his politics, I really like his facetted style and sparkling wit. So what should be next on my reading list?
posted on Feb 1, 2006 - 10 answers