Hey guys. Some of you may have noticed that I implemented new rules about the comments section on the posts. I thought the paragraph I put just above the commenting box made sense… but apparently some people don’t get it (and perhaps that’s my fault). The paragraph reads like this:
READ THIS BEFORE COMMENTING: This comments area is for discussion and opinions exclusivly about the topic of the post. All comments will be posted regardless of your view. Disagreement and debate are welcome and actually encouraged. HOWEVER, comments are subject to being deleted from the thread if: 1) The comments are not directly about the topic in the post OR 2) The comment attacks another commenter or the author of the post. If you have a specific question or comment for the author of the post, contact them directly via email. You can find a list of email addresses in the ABOUT THE MOVIE BLOG page.
Ok, so what this basically means is this. If Eddie makes the comment that: “I think Star Wars is a terrible movie” and you disagree and want to respond… there there is a right way and wrong way to do it.
RIGHT WAY: “Man Eddie, I think you’re way off. Star Wars was fantastic for (reasons A, B and C). Were you even watching the same movie as me? What is it about Star Wars you think is so bad?”
WRONG WAY: “You’re an idiot if you don’t like Star Wars. But what should i expect from a guy who doesn’t have enough sense to appreciate Star Trek either”.
The RIGHT WAY sticks on topic, expresses differing opinions, challenges the other’s views and doesn’t make it personal. The WRONG way, gets off topic, makes it personal. We’re going to be deleting these posts.
The same goes for commenting on the post itself and the person who posted it (Me, Doug, Rodney, Sharon). Let’s say I do a post about how stupid I thought the movie Zodiac was (Which I didn’t think was a horrible movie by the way… just Boring, too long and not that good). If you want to post a comment disagreeing with me… THAT’S GREAT! That’s what the comments are for, disagreement and debate. But once again there is a right way, and an wrong way.
RIGHT WAY: “John I don’t think I could disagree with you more. I didn’t find it boring at all. I thought the character development was deep and paced really well, and while it was long, I think you’re dead wrong about it being TOO long…. yadda yadda yadda”.
WRONG WAY: “John, you smell funny. I’m certain you haven’t been laid in months. Your opinions are always wrong and this time is no different”
Now, while all of that might be true (especially point #2), the comments section is not for personal attacks, or for talking about other topics.
If there are issues or topics you want to bring up with one of the posters (including myself) the best thing to do is to email us directly. Comments that try to start an open trolling argument will be deleted. Just that simple.
No one here takes the time to write these articles and share their opinions to just be pointlessly attacked, or have the conversation highjacked by some troll. It’s not good for anyone.
Hell… just look at Alfie. The guy never agrees with me (he’s always wrong of course), but he knows how to engage in good debate and discussion without being a troll.
Sorry for this post guys, I know 99% of you know all this stuff already… and you guys really are the best group on the internet for making the discussions civil and doing things right… but on a personal level that other 1% (the trolls) really frustrates me and I thought I should make this post up. On with the rest of your day, and keep the conversation going.
