Archived and Closed
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I remember years ago when trolls, jerks, and juvenile behavior were the exception on the message boards, but now that counterproductive kind of language is the rule. It's impossible to have a decent, intelligent discussion on most of the boards, and straight-up bigotry and sexism abound. This degradation of the boards occurred in spite of, maybe even because of, the credit card/cell phone number requirement in IMDb's verification system.
The intrusive methods of verification that one needs to provide to IMDb in order to post on the boards might have caused, or exacerbated, exactly what it is designed to prevent. IMHO, intelligent, responsible adults aren't interested enough in participating in a message board that requires them providing incredibly private and sensitive info like private cellphone number & credit card info, while the younger, less cerebral (to put it nicely) members don't think about or mind the intrusion, as their goal is simply to get on the board so that they can tell someone who they disagree with that they're a "f__ktard," "retard," "fa_got" . . . well, you get the idea. Ad hominems and straw man arguments have made the IMDb boards more like a junior high school boys locker room than a forum for fans to exchange thoughts, ideas, and information about any respective film/DVD/TV show, documentary, etc.
I would like to figure a way to raise the bar in the boards so that one can have informative, intelligent discussions without IMDb monitoring/censoring user comments and posts more. Is there any way to do this without heavy monitoring? Are the boards beyond help and on borrowed time, their death imminent, or might they one day be redeemed? Thoughts?
The intrusive methods of verification that one needs to provide to IMDb in order to post on the boards might have caused, or exacerbated, exactly what it is designed to prevent. IMHO, intelligent, responsible adults aren't interested enough in participating in a message board that requires them providing incredibly private and sensitive info like private cellphone number & credit card info, while the younger, less cerebral (to put it nicely) members don't think about or mind the intrusion, as their goal is simply to get on the board so that they can tell someone who they disagree with that they're a "f__ktard," "retard," "fa_got" . . . well, you get the idea. Ad hominems and straw man arguments have made the IMDb boards more like a junior high school boys locker room than a forum for fans to exchange thoughts, ideas, and information about any respective film/DVD/TV show, documentary, etc.
I would like to figure a way to raise the bar in the boards so that one can have informative, intelligent discussions without IMDb monitoring/censoring user comments and posts more. Is there any way to do this without heavy monitoring? Are the boards beyond help and on borrowed time, their death imminent, or might they one day be redeemed? Thoughts?
Posted 6 years ago
No. Posting on the IMDb message boards is a privilege, not a right, and there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with requiring verification through phone numbers or credit cards.
In fact, I would argue that IMDb should reject "grandfathering" altogether and require that all users verify their accounts as such, or risk having them disabled indefinitely within 30 days. What would be the drawback? Who would we lose? Cautious types who don't like to give out information, yes, but also tons of trolls and sockpuppets who can't give the information. We would be left with a more manageable group of poster who really care about the boards.
I neglected to mention that I had three me-only MAIN-page boards for about six months until recently. They were related and someone else came along and made an OP on all three. Because they were in my favorites I went to the boards and found that my links were dead so I deleted my posts. Now those boards are someone elses me-only main-page boards!
What's going on? Dan and I both have duplicate posts. I only hit SUBMIT once.
bluesmanSF, Champion
I think it's a glitch...duplicates happen often here.
That's only part of the glitch. the REMOVE button doesn't work on the second post. I suppose that means its actually just one post that appears twice.
That's only part of the glitch. the REMOVE button doesn't work on the second post. I suppose that means its actually just one post that appears twice.
I understand, as of right now there is no way for some users to bully and harass people until they feel this forum is no longer worth the effort and leave. We need more moderation.
bluesmanSF, Champion
They won't likely start actively moderating as it requires time and effort away from the database (the whole point of the site). Users won't want to pay to support staff becoming babysitters over having a free searchable database with lists, ratings, reviews, etc. The boards have always been fairly low priority.
As staff says, if you don't like the boards, don't use them. Use the core features of the site and chat elsewhere.
Report to get problems into the automated system and ignoring trolls is the best course if having problems on the boards.
As staff says, if you don't like the boards, don't use them. Use the core features of the site and chat elsewhere.
Report to get problems into the automated system and ignoring trolls is the best course if having problems on the boards.
You're assuming the only "active moderation" can be through paid employees. Not true. Many threads on Get Satisfaction have suggested the use of deputies users, something not uncommon on other forums.
Other suggestions that don't require additional staff: changing the ignore list to a block list that works both ways, so as to prevent stalking and harassment, blocking IP addresses or devices of confirmed trolls... I am sure there are more.
And suggesting that people simply leave if they are displeased with the boards is a surrender, not a solution. Trolls and bullies are not the default, and should not be treated as such.
Other suggestions that don't require additional staff: changing the ignore list to a block list that works both ways, so as to prevent stalking and harassment, blocking IP addresses or devices of confirmed trolls... I am sure there are more.
And suggesting that people simply leave if they are displeased with the boards is a surrender, not a solution. Trolls and bullies are not the default, and should not be treated as such.
Dan Dassow, Champion
Hi Kevin Klawitter,
I've advocated deputy moderators for the message board. A logical initial pool for such moderators would be the champions for IMDb's Get Satisfaction site. I would caution that moderation by itself is not a panacea for dealing with trolls, nor are the other measures you mention in your post.
Note: DrakeStraw just mentioned that his posts and my posts appear in duplicate for this thread. I noticed this also. I hope this post is only posted once.
I've advocated deputy moderators for the message board. A logical initial pool for such moderators would be the champions for IMDb's Get Satisfaction site. I would caution that moderation by itself is not a panacea for dealing with trolls, nor are the other measures you mention in your post.
Note: DrakeStraw just mentioned that his posts and my posts appear in duplicate for this thread. I noticed this also. I hope this post is only posted once.
"Other suggestions that don't require additional staff: changing the ignore list to a block list that works both ways, so as to prevent stalking and harassment, blocking IP addresses or devices of confirmed trolls... I am sure there are more."
And if they can't be bothered to do that then get rid of the boards. The whole site should be run professionally and I don't see that happening.
And if they can't be bothered to do that then get rid of the boards. The whole site should be run professionally and I don't see that happening.
