Comments on: Retarded metadata

By: Jay Fienberg

Jay Fienberg — Mon, 28 May 2007 19:41:32 +0000

“isn’t the label ‘retarded’ metadata indicating the data they want to collect?”

Specifically: maybe–it depends on whether or not they have a system that uses the questions / label data as metadata. But, generally, it’s fair to assume that they have such a system. So, yes!: each form question / label can be called metadata!

It had actually crossed my mind that you were refering to the form labels, but I posted my comment because of the phrases you wrote that seemed to refer to what one entered in the form, like:

“we read backwards from the metadata that’s asked of us”

and

“Requests for metadata are expressive”

But, ok, it all makes more sense now.

New question: is this an issue with metadata or with labels / questions? E.g., the phrase above could be restated:

“we read backwards from the questions on the form”

We do.

By: David Weinberger

David Weinberger — Sun, 27 May 2007 19:50:38 +0000

Jay, I acknowledge I am a “metadata” abuser and appreciate your keeping me on the straight and narrow. But, in this case, isn’t the label “retarded” metadata indicating the data they want to collect?

By: Markus Pirchner

Markus Pirchner — Sat, 26 May 2007 10:28:18 +0000

What I don’t understand: Is being retarded a prerequisite to being a hunter in the US? ;-)

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Sat, 26 May 2007 01:20:44 +0000

are you retarded if you can’t spell boat? ;) I’m just boggling at “they only have the one form” I’m dying to go register a boat in MA now so I can make a big federal case out of this.

By: http://www.nationalizebigoilusa.blogspot.com

http://www.nationalizebigoilusa.blogspot.com — Fri, 25 May 2007 19:49:09 +0000

“Cultivate and practise the arts.”

PS: That is a command, not a request.

By: Jay Fienberg

Jay Fienberg — Fri, 25 May 2007 19:17:59 +0000

OK, you know I’m trying to quit my concern over the (mis)uses of the word “metadata,” but:

If the fields that you fill-out / check on a form aren’t collecting the stuff that we call “data,” is “data” a useful word for refering to data in any context, any longer?

By: Crosbie Fitch

Crosbie Fitch — Fri, 25 May 2007 18:54:56 +0000

Perhaps you shouldn’t discount the possibility that the metadata request is actually a communication to you?

“Retarded? Y/N” might actually mean “Clearly you are not retarded, but in order to save the expense of wasteful litigation by either of us, this question brings to your attention the matter of our unassailable defense against it, vis the fact that we do indeed take precautions to protect you against harm by preventing alleged retards to enjoy control of dangerous vehicles or weapons.”

In other words, it matters not that retards will also answer ‘No’. The point is that a precaution against retarded use is taken – despite its complete ineffectiveness.

Just as US immigration forms ask “Are you a terrorist? Y/N”