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.
bluesmanSF, Champion
I don't think "grandfathering" has had any negative effects. It just means the first authentication is a freebie. If they are abusive, it still gets removed and they must re-authenticate. It's not that they get a free pass permanently. They still have to use care for follow the Terms and Etiquette of the boards.
Maybe they should even create a badge for "grandfathered" status. It'd be an incentive to keep the account in good standing. Or even add a date "Member In good standing since...."
Maybe they should even create a badge for "grandfathered" status. It'd be an incentive to keep the account in good standing. Or even add a date "Member In good standing since...."
(Edited)
All we need to know to find out who is grandfathered is to know when stricter authentication was implemented. BTW, I'm a real grandfather!
bluesmanSF, Champion
Congrats...they should have a badge for that too!
I wonder if there is, for instance, different types of authenticated accounts or if they're all just "authenticated" or not. And, I wonder if now, since it's been dropped, if the ones using Amazon to authenticate merely show as grandfathered and not needing it, or still have whatever that distinguishing code or mark was....we may never know...
I wonder if there is, for instance, different types of authenticated accounts or if they're all just "authenticated" or not. And, I wonder if now, since it's been dropped, if the ones using Amazon to authenticate merely show as grandfathered and not needing it, or still have whatever that distinguishing code or mark was....we may never know...
@KK, Nobody here has asserted that it is a right to post on a websites (IMDb's) msg board. That would be so silly to say it's a "right," LOL!
IMDb can require verification in any way they choose. I am only questioning whether their verification system has been positively effective or not because the boards used to be less troll-ish and one could carry on a discussion without so many ad hominem attacks. The boards were never perfect, but they were better. It's why I chose IMDb over other movie sites. Now I don't use IMDb so much, and with my post I am wondering what happened. I doubt that a stricter verification system would minimize trolls. I think that the evidence shows that the exact opposite effect of your description would be the result, for reasons I stated in my original post.
IMDb can require verification in any way they choose. I am only questioning whether their verification system has been positively effective or not because the boards used to be less troll-ish and one could carry on a discussion without so many ad hominem attacks. The boards were never perfect, but they were better. It's why I chose IMDb over other movie sites. Now I don't use IMDb so much, and with my post I am wondering what happened. I doubt that a stricter verification system would minimize trolls. I think that the evidence shows that the exact opposite effect of your description would be the result, for reasons I stated in my original post.
I do believe board posters in general, not just IMDb have become more unruly over the years. I remember the good old days back in the nineties. It was kind of like the early days of WWI when enemy aviators would wave at each other before they started shooting at each other!
I am pretty much done with the imdb boards AND the site. The apathy on the part of the admins when it comes to doing something about the trolls and nasties is pathetic. I should be able to give an opinion without being called a retard and without being told to "pull my head out of my ass."
bluesmanSF, Champion
tigerlily,
The main purpose of the site is to be a searchable database of film information. It's not really a chat site. The site has over 10 million message boards with no real way to monitor them. If you have problems there, keep to main function of the site, which is a database of film/tv information, and keep off the boards. Otherwise, report, then ignore is really the only option with abusive users who seek attention. There are many more moderated and monitored places to chat out there without having to do it on IMDb where it's not their specialty or purpose anyway.
Not enjoying a message board is not really a reason not to use a database of film information...but if you're not looking for information anyway, then you're probably better off leaving until you have a need.
Best of luck!
The main purpose of the site is to be a searchable database of film information. It's not really a chat site. The site has over 10 million message boards with no real way to monitor them. If you have problems there, keep to main function of the site, which is a database of film/tv information, and keep off the boards. Otherwise, report, then ignore is really the only option with abusive users who seek attention. There are many more moderated and monitored places to chat out there without having to do it on IMDb where it's not their specialty or purpose anyway.
Not enjoying a message board is not really a reason not to use a database of film information...but if you're not looking for information anyway, then you're probably better off leaving until you have a need.
Best of luck!
The oft-repeared figure of the large number of boards is intimidating, yes, but only factual if you look at it in the most literal sense.
A more truthful phrasing would be "There are X million pages where a message board could be started". I'm sure if you looked only at the pages with regular activity (that is, where there have been new threads posts in the last two-12 months, the number would be reduced immensely.
A more truthful phrasing would be "There are X million pages where a message board could be started". I'm sure if you looked only at the pages with regular activity (that is, where there have been new threads posts in the last two-12 months, the number would be reduced immensely.
bluesmanSF, Champion
Certainly well worth noting. And more empty boards are added daily. But the sheer size begs for automated processing...which always has holes, of course. I am sure a new system would have many better features. The current system was probably good in its time...but that was long ago!
It's not advertised, but every episode of every series has its own message board! Very few of these boards are active and the link on an episode page goes to the main board of the series. You have to substitute the episode /tt######/ for the main /tt######/ to reach one. I have used these as notes to self that are rarely seen and never answered so far! I have two of these me-only episode boards in my favorites right now. They will stay there until I delete my posts.
bluesmanSF, Champion
I've seen people ask about that and never thought to suggest it. Good to note. Never answered...so far.. :) Could happen some day!
Dan Dassow, Champion
DrakeStraw and bluesmanSF,
It appears that other users discovered this work around; or that links to message boards for specific episodes were available at one time.
I've also verified that one can still post to the message boards of an individual episode. Your post will show up in your profile.
It appears that other users discovered this work around; or that links to message boards for specific episodes were available at one time.
I've also verified that one can still post to the message boards of an individual episode. Your post will show up in your profile.
Dan Dassow, Champion
It appears that others have discovered this workaround, or it was possible to post for specific episodes.
It is still possible to post to an individual episode and will show up in your profile.
It is still possible to post to an individual episode and will show up in your profile.
One of my me-only episode boards has an active main board that has nothing over six months old! Still, no one seems to have stumbled over it. The other one is extremely obscure--only four threads on the main board since 2007!
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!
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.
