HEY, MONKEYBRAIN!
Mashable has a great writeup about it, and there are some neat conversations happening over on Digg.
This is your place to find out a little more about the project, see what other people are saying, buy a MonkeyBrain tee if you love the little simian as much as we do, and more.
Lots of info about HeyMonkeyBrain and the Duel module
- Here's the official press release
- 5 tips for making GREAT debate lenses
- Okay, lay it on us
- Recent blog posts about HeyMonkeyBrain
- Have you blogged about MonkeyBrain? Have you made a MonkeyBrain lens?
- Mashable.com says:
- What MonkeyBrain debate do you wish someone would start?
- Pick a fight. These shirts will help.
Here's the official press release
From PRLeap, February 11 2008Squidoo.com, one of the fastest-growing websites in the world, launches HeyMonkeyBrain.com, a site that lets smart people do what they love to do online: argue.
HeyMonkeyBrain is a simple, free way to post an argument and invite your friends, colleagues (and nemeses) to join in. You can add links, books, videos and other tools to make your case, but the centerpiece of the page is a two-column thread of diverging views. Inspired in part by Scott Adams' brilliant book and blog, in part by the presidential primary debates, and in part by the Flying Spaghetti Monster, HeyMonkeyBrain takes the long-standing tradition of online arguments and perfects them.
Start an argument about who you're voting for, make a case for why NOT to buy the iPhone, sound off on global warming, rant about why Britney Spears is actually dumber than a dolphin. HeyMonkeyBrain puts you in charge of the debates that matter to you. Better than comments on blogs, less Draconian and gated than Wikipedia, funnier than The Colbert Report without its writers, HeyMonkeyBrain isn't just about picking a fight. It's about championing opinion and passion, it's about acknowledging that consensus is hard, it's about sticking up for your beliefs and changing the web (and the world) a little bit every day.
Some may argue that this has been done before. The brilliant minds at HeyMonkeyBrain beg to differ. It's never been this easy, this elegant or this persuasive. If you disagree, hey, you can always let us know.
5 tips for making GREAT debate lenses
It's all about the Duel module!
- First, please know that anyone can add a Duel module to any lens. And you should! But for now, let's focus on how to create "Monkeybrain" debate lenses using the Duel module. Now: think of something you really, passionately, mindblowingly believe in. Something you care about. Something you have an inalienable right to think and feel. And turn it into a statement. Like, you know, Megan is the Smartest Person Ever. Okay, well, whatever you believe. Sheesh.
- Then add some context around your statement (which is the meat of the Duel module. Add some links that support your claim, if you want. Or a list of The 5 Things You Should Know About that particular stance or topic. Or videos and books to illustrate your point.
- Now, the most important part... get people debating on your lens. It's all fine and good to have an opinion, but what does it matter if no one hears you? If you stamp your feet in a forest, does it make a sound? Anyway, since the Duel module is front and center on your lens, things only really get rolling when people sound off in it. SO... once your argument is ready, send it to everyone you know who agrees with you...and to the people who disagree with you! Once they start sharing their thoughts with you, I'm betting your debate will find its legs.
- Remember: No, you're not really picking a FIGHT. You're hosting a debate. You're sharing your opinions, and generously offering to give other people a space to voice theirs in response. This isn't about trolling or flaming or harassing, it's about discourse and ideas and talking.
- Last but not least, peek in on other people's debate lenses. You'll find it's kind of addicting to post your opinions there too.. and then see tons of people agree with you. The more debates you join, the more likely that other people will come join yours, too. Ah, social networking.
- BONUS! The secret weapon of MonkeyBrains lenses is that after someone has posted in your Duel module, they see a screen that asks if there's someone else they want to bring into the conversation. So you don't have to do all the work of promoting your debate page... make something work talking (and arguing!) about, and other people will spread it for you.
Okay, lay it on us
here's an example of the Duel module.
What do you think of HeyMonkeyBrain?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byLove it! Giving people a place to stage debates is smart.
GladlyMom says:
Thanks for the brief overview of a duel lens. I was wondering what it was.
Posted November 15, 2009
skiesgreen says:
Yes, its great to stimulate debate and get the opinions of others. We all feel differently on so much that debating helps to stop wars.
Posted October 19, 2009
806tex says:
Does anyone have any real world results using Keyword Elite 2.0. I've been thinking of buying it but before I do I want to get some feedback from someone who has used it.
Posted September 28, 2009
rooturaj says:
"Hey Monkey Brain" - not something very impressive from the makers of squidoo. On top of that you claim its a place for smart people to argue. One of my wizened school teachers once told me "only criminals argue". There are a lot of others who argue for sure but then they are definitely not smart.
Any ideas what the monkeys argue about ? Probably "my banana is bigger" (no pun intended).
Apart form the name i love the concept.
Posted April 02, 2009
InfinityMC says:
I had the same thoughts on my page, hey, I think like a Squid!!!
Posted February 01, 2009
MGrimes says:
So far seems easy. Not comfortable enought yet to know for sure though.
Posted January 06, 2009
seapest says:
I love it I don't always have time to read everything but it is verrrrry interesting.................
Posted January 04, 2009
HealthyScout says:
King Arthur and his knights??round because of being able to look everybody in the eyes? Here hidden away behind your computer is something different?as the eye is the ?mirror' of the Soul (I just debate on that one ?soul or no soul? so to say.) and there is no substitute for eye contact during a debate isn't? Maybe a new debate?..? Nevertheless I like the idea!!
Posted September 11, 2008
fefe says:
love it, made a monkeybrain lenses group as well. I think it's the best Squidoo format ever.
Posted March 09, 2008
It's lame, dummy. Why can't we all just get along!
happynutritionist says:
I like it, but I'm saying so in the "it's lame, dummy" side because people will probably look there first, and the list is SOOOO short :-)
Posted June 16, 2009
Whitley2009 says:
You can lead a monkey or a horse's ass to knowledge, but you can't make him think.
Posted May 05, 2009
KS says:
HEY MONKEY BRAIN SHOWS THAT EVERY PEOPLE HAVE A BRAIN.. KWANG3...
Posted August 30, 2008
RickBasset says:
I agree with Kalle. "Smart people" don't call each other MonkeyBrain!
Posted February 16, 2008
ComingSoon says:
**********************
It's lame, dummy. Why can't we all just get along!
**********************
Posted February 15, 2008
Recent blog posts about HeyMonkeyBrain
- celticagent: where smart people argue hey monkeybrain http ...
- where smart people argue hey monkeybrain http://tinyurl.com/2z93o3.
- hey monkeybrain, your mother was a hamster!
- and your father smelled of elderberries! so there. check out our new project, heymonkeybrain.com, a...
- Squidoo Lens of the Day » Blog Archive » Hey, Monkeybrain!
- Hey, Monkeybrain! Do you think smoking should be banned in all public places? Christene does. And sh...
- SquidBlog » Blog Archive » Hey MonkeyBrain, your mother was a hamster!
- Hey MonkeyBrain, your mother was a hamster! Posted by Megan Casey in Squid News. And your father sme...
Have you blogged about MonkeyBrain? Have you made a MonkeyBrain lens?
Post 'em here
We DO have a soul
We DO have a soul There is no way to describe what I experience without a soul that transcends the personality. There is something in us which is more...2 points
Public Or Private School?
Former public school teacher Bob Jenkins attempts to defend against the private school machine. Help support public school teachers, parents, etc., wh...1 point
Clinton or Obama - Who will be the Dems Nominee? Together - An Awesome Democratic Ticket?
The race is heating up between the two leading democratic contenders--Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The fact that there is no clear front runner i...1 point
MonkeyBrain Group! - add your MonkeyBrain lens!
Add your MonkeyBrain lens to this group1 point
The Great Toy Debate
What do you think - toys are for everyone? Or toys are just for kids? Let us know!1 point
Would you rather have a squidangel blessing or a quality link?
Would you rather have a squidangel blessing or a quality link? I'd rather have a quality link. A quality link makes it more likely that my lens (and f...1 point
Low votes in squidoo should be banned!
I think people should lighten up about the star ratings. Even a low star rating will boost your lensrank (a bit). So any rating is better than NO rati...1 point
What are Miracles?
What are Miracles? Are Miracles....Things that happen, when we didn't expect them to.Things that happen that go against the laws of nature.Things that...1 point
What is God? What's SHE like?
I'm not personally invested in believing in a personal God. For me God is something impersonal, all encompassing and in everything. But what do YOU th...1 point
Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy?
There is a long tradition in the West to regard Buddhism as a philosophy. This tradition was started by Enlightenment philosophers (those who like rat...1 point
The Ultimate Questions - religion and spirituality
These are the ultimate philosophy questions we all ask ourselves about religion and spirituality. Vote, get inspired and share.Part lensography, part...1 point
Can Deceased Speak with the Living ?
People believe that it is possible for dead ones to speak with the living.Many books have been written about the possibility to communicate witfh the...1 point
Acupuncture ? A very effective Therapy !
Acupuncture, which originated in ancient China and was introduced to Japan some 250 years before Christ, is the Oriental art of using fine needles to...1 point
Mashable.com says:
"[HeyMonkeyBrain is] an interactive forum for discussions to manifest around particular ideas, statements, theories... More and more, Squidoo is becoming a place where individual users can establish themselves as authorities for any purpose, with the ability to aggregate content and supporting data, whether it's for an eBay seller's items or a collection of interesting videos."
What MonkeyBrain debate do you wish someone would start?
Clinton v. Obama
Men are big babies.
Valentines Day sucks.
New York City is the best place to live, ever.
This whole "water bottles are bad" thing is getting old.
David Cay Johnston's FREE LUNCH is the best book ever.
Britney Spears should be on a rocket to the sun.
David Byrne should make more music.
Microsoft should keep its paws off Yahoo.
Like that.
Post your wishlist here. Who knows, maybe someone will make a lens for you!
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Reply
- skiesgreen skiesgreen Nov 26, 2009 @ 10:40 pm
- It would be good if someone explains where you can get the lens theme to start one of these debates. I can't find it anywhere? Is it a secret or reserved only for certain squids. Help, I'm swimming in a pool of murky water. Send me a lifeline.
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Reply
- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Mar 10, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
- I'm in the middle of creating my first Monkeybrain lens. This page was helpful, thanks!
Brenda
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Reply
- sharpeink sharpeink Jan 29, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
- Hey, Im just getting started "The Worlds Greatest...." That's my claim to fame well fame is just part of the deal not what Im really looking for.
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- EasyW EasyW Feb 18, 2008 @ 10:07 am
- Nice idea!
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Reply
- maxy maxy Feb 18, 2008 @ 5:58 am
- Great lens, very informative.
Hope you take a look at my phone card lens!
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Reply
- Comfortdoc Comfortdoc Feb 17, 2008 @ 2:40 am
- Should have typed Clinton vs. Obama is done.
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Reply
- awelldressedbullet awelldressedbullet Feb 15, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
- I looked after the most important issue, I was surprised it wasn't on the list LOL, Boxers or Briefs is done! - Kathy
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Reply
- Comfortdoc Comfortdoc Feb 15, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
- Clinton vs. Obama is done. http://www.squidoo.com/clinton-obama
Pick a fight. These shirts will help.
Hey Monkeybrain! shirt
Price: 21.99 
Hey MonkeyBrain Hooded Sweatshirt
Price: 37.99
Baseball Jersey
Price: 19.99
by SquidTeam
The SquidTeam is: Corey, Megan, Gil, Kimberly, Blake and Josh. And Seth.
Together we built and run and are c... (more)
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