[alsocasey]

Alternately, go the Steve Yegge way and rebind meta to C-x-C-m and C-c-C-m:

  (global-set-key "\C-x\C-m" 'execute-extended-command)
  (global-set-key "\C-c\C-m" 'execute-extended-command)

[sdevlin]

These bindings are only for M-x. This is still useful (M-x is really common), but it's not a full replacement for all meta bindings.

[gcr]

Exactly. The problem with keyboards is that the alt key is right under your thumb, right where Ctrl should be. You might take a look at http://xahlee.org/emacs/ergonomic_emacs_keybinding.html , which is a remap of common emacs keybindings to fit underneath the alt key.

Sure, this is an invasive change, but it saved me from RSI.