Discourse META ... why?

site feedback
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Hi there, just wondering you use the name Dicourse META and why have meta. in front of your domain name?

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Specifically:

What is “Meta”?

"Meta means discussion of the discussion itself instead of the actual topic of the discussion. That is, discussions about…

  • The style of discussion.
  • The participants in the discussion.
  • The setting in which the discussion occurs.
  • The relationship of the discussion to other discussions."
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And just to clear any possible confusion, it has nothing to do with (what was formerly) Facebook! :wink:

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Discourse forums originally also all had a meta category, for site feedback. The term is a bit arcane so the default name for the site feedback category was changed to… wait for it…

#site-feedback

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I wonder how much people here know the actual meaning of the meta prefix.
I guess a fair proportion… But who knows?

Also, slightly related:

https://meta.discourse.org/t/what-do-you-all-call-your-discourse-forum/160991/5?u=canapin

Was the subdomain “meta” as well then?

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Yes it was! Very meta, to be sure.

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Happy :cake:, Tobias! Thank you for all you’ve contributed to Discourse.

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Thanks! We’ve come a long way since 12 February, 2014! It’s been a privilege to be along for the ride, and now even to be working here as product manager for Discourse for teams! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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