“Millionaire” to Speak at ROFLCon

It seems like only a few months ago.

Probably because it was.

Back in those days, I was just starting out with ROFLCon.  Come to think of it, ROFLCon was just starting out with ROFLCon.  We had a jankity-crank weblog and some ridiculous dreams.  And an email address.  That part was key.

It was in those early days, before we had space or sponsors or anything resembling a “conference,” per se, that I emailed one Alex Tew out of the blue.  You almost definitely know about Alex Tew.  This is because he did something so smart that everybody else in the entire world has been smacking their heads on poster-plastered walls ever since, wailing “Why? Why didn’t I think of it first?”

That’s right.  Alex Tew created the Million Dollar Homepage.  And then he made a million dollars.

Alex and I traded a few emails, and struck a deal: we provide the “beer in funny red cups,” he makes an appearance at ROFLCon and speaks to an audience incredulous that “You Can Get Paid for This?”  It seemed like a pretty fair trade.  Especially considering that he is a millionaire.  (Or, at least, he made a million dollars.  I’m thinking some of it went to pay for college; otherwise, how did he get to be so smart?)

So, I am delighted to announce, finally, that the plane tickets are bought, the deals have been struck, and Alex is on his way to ROFLCon!  Not that you need another reason to register.  But just in case you did…

…you’re welcome.

BREAKING NEWS: StupidFilter Signs On for ROFLCon!

Here at ROFLCon HQ, we often ask ourselves:

If our obsession with Internet memes is a disease, then WHAT IS THE CURE?

Well, folks: as we can testify from experience, there is no cure. But who needs a cure when you’ve got prevention? Especially when that prevention comes in the form of Bayesian filtering.

With that, I am elated to announce that ROFLCon has officially signed on Gabe Ortiz and Paul Starr, creators of StupidFilter. This is awesome in about 500 ways, but for this moment’s dose of awesome, let’s just examine their mission statement: “The StupidFilter Project: Because the internet needs prophylactics for memetically transmitted diseases.”

Ironic or not? You decide! Delightful controversy ahead! But, as Paul pointed out to me in a (very articulate) e-mail, “Truth be told, [StupidFilter isn't] trying to filter memes, we’re trying to filter incoherent expression. Lots of people seem to be missing the point of our project, which in itself would be an interesting discussion. ‘Form vs. content’ is a huge problem and at the core of what the Stupidfilter is about.”

Smart alert! Turns out, Gabe and Paul are experts on Internet expression in all its many glorious and not-so-glorious forms. We’re incredibly psyched to have them on board.

If you’re interested in finding out more about StupidFilter, head over to their website or revel in the irony of StupidFilter, prophylactic against memetically transmitted diseases, profiled on BoingBoing, beloved purveyor of all memes ever.