The advice should also extend to the regulars. New people should not feel like they have to walk on eggshells to be accepted. No one should have an inflated ego for the amazing accomplishment of posting here often or registering before someone else or knowing board history. Sometimes there is too much of a cliquishness at mubi, for regulars its their private chatroom rather than a public forum.
@ JJ: Sage words, indeed.
Posting frequently, or at all, on a message board should confer nothing on anyone other than the observation that the frequent poster has enough free time to post.
Also, people routinely say things on Internet forums that would get their dental plans activated for them IRL, so folks should practice basic civility.
And tt is always worth remembering that you get what you pay for, which is why MUBI charges nothing to crawl these forums, but you’ll fork over some coin for anything of value — such as streaming a film on this site.
Any value from these forums is strictly intrinsic and comes from a mutual and respectful exchange of information and ideas. People forget the basics too often, which is why a thread like this might get started in the first place — as a gentle reminder to be cool and not act like a pompous ass.
I’d say there are no more than 20 people on the forums who I give more than cursory attention. They’ve shown time and again that they are pleasant and actually have something interesting to say. However, I am not here nearly as often as some, so my barometer may not be fairly calibrated.
Also, there is allegedly a “Block” tool on individual profiles for eradicating the especially obnoxious, but I have tried using it and it does not seem to work. If it does, the targets still reappear like cockroaches after deploying bug spray.
Steve
CinemaUprising.Blogspot.com
Good advice going around :)
LOL Cinematic Cteve — well put! :)
Also, there is allegedly a “Block” tool on individual profiles for eradicating the especially obnoxious, but I have tried using it and it does not seem to work. If it does, the targets still reappear like cockroaches after deploying bug spray.
I’ve been told what this “block” tool does is disallow the individual from following you. And if you didn’t know following someone just means that person’s activity will come up in your feed on the main page. It doesn’t disallow either of you from actually seeing each other’s posts in forums.
@Cinematic Cteve
To be clear, I have no problem skimming (or more likely, skipping) any threads that indulge in film theory, narratology, “poststructuralism,” “neoformalism,” or even esoteric metaphysics — hell, I enjoy philosophy as much as anyone — but if I interject an arched eyebrow, that does not mean I’m trolling.
Right, this doesn’t mean you’re a troll. However, what’s the value calling out this person—especially if you can easily skim or skip the thread? I know calling a poseur out can be satisfying—and people have a right to do this—but I honestly think it adds much to the quality of the discussion, but it can lead to the deterioration of a discussion.
It is simply a variation of “Look! The Emperor has no clothes!”
Oh, if that’s your objective, there’s other, much better ways of going about this rather than saying someone is full of shit. How about pointing out the reasons the person’s ideas are empty? Doing so in thoughtful but respectful way is not only nicer, but it can be a lot more devastating and impressive than saying one is full of shit. Or even better—help the person see the error of his/her ways and sincerely try to help him/her learn something. Same results—only much more effective and impressive—probably earning you the respect (deservedly so) of those around you, even from the person whose ideas you just destroyed. What’s better than that?
even the person whose ideas you just destroyed.
LOL I’m picturing utter devastation…
JJ : cliqueshness can always be off putting. I’d like to say that I was apprehensive to start posting on here, but finally jumped in and found myself an immediate part of the conversation.
I admit, sometimes my comments go without any direct replies, but I feel no ill will when that occurs. Those things are bound to happen.
@JJ
The advice should also extend to the regulars. New people should not feel like they have to walk on eggshells to be accepted. No one should have an inflated ego for the amazing accomplishment of posting here often or registering before someone else or knowing board history. Sometimes there is too much of a cliquishness at mubi, for regulars its their private chatroom rather than a public forum.
Thank you for sharing that. I agree that the advice should apply to regulars (including myself); I absolutely don’t want new people to feel they have to walk on eggshells to be accepted; and none of us regulars should feel like we’re better than anyone else because of regular posting. I agree—and if I’ve been guilty of this or causing this then I apologize.
I also want to say something about the cliquishness of the forum. There is definitely that quality about the forum, but I think it’s natural and not necessarily a bad thing. I think it can be bad, especially if regulars really exclude or make becoming a part of the community really difficult. I really hope that’s not the case, and I don’t ever want that to happen. It’s not only offensive to my sensibilities, but I think we need more people—hopefully decent and thoughtful—posting and starting thread.
Now, fwiw, I think there is two key qualities for becoming accepted in this community: 1) you’ve got to be a somewhat decent person. I mean, you can’t be an utter jerk. (We accept partial jerks, though. ;) Seriously, we have some leeway. :) Seriously.); 2) you have to post on a regular basis—at least initially or at least until people get to know you a little and feel like you’ll respond and interact. This might pose a significant challenge, but it’s somewhat unavoidable. People won’t be inclined to respond to someone if they’re unsure the person will respond back. I have some experience in this, as I’ve tried to respond to as many people who posted in threads I’ve started. It’s not easy and inevitably I have to prioritize, since I can’t respond to everyone. Consequently, I try to respond to people I know will respond to me. Responding to someone who never comes back or never responds can be discouraging.
So, to summarize, I think there are two main requirements—be nice and interact with others on a regular basis (at least initially—once that happens you can disappear, for long stretches, and come back and be embraced). I really think those are the two main qualities. You don’t have to be super knowledgeable about movies; you don’t have to excessively polite and nice. That’s not a very high bar for entrance into the community, right?
You shouldn’t have to follow a set of rules just so people don’t think you’re a troll, what a load of shit. Maybe it should be “How not to mistake people for trolls.”
There are no cliques. Just people who’ve become accostomed to each other and have developed friendships through discussions and similar taste in films. So quit being babies and talk, discuss, post.
I honestly have only thought the word troll on one or two occasions on here, so I don’t think it’s an epidemic :) and even then I really don’t care. I just ignore it if I feel it’s something that is best for me to ignore.
My only word of advise for anyone posting here is never to take yourself or these boards too seriously – or seriously at all. This is all ephemeral stuff, with the one sentence posting and the posting of a complete essay both having the same durations as writing a love letter in the sand before the tides comes in. Fresh fish and mubi posts last just about as long, and soon stink after a day or two.
Otherwise, I agree with Cteve, except to say if you can’t be a pseudo-intellectual here, where else can you be? Cteve, cut those Philosophy 101 grads some slack, eh? Because, on these boards, we are all slackers who should be doing something more constructive than posting here constantly.
But, to avoid being seen as a troll, don’t post pictures of naked black men with rather, ahem, enlarged extensions. Know what I mean?
^ Those people were porn spammers. That’s a different group altogether.
@Bijoux
I’d like to say that I was apprehensive to start posting on here, but finally jumped in and found myself an immediate part of the conversation.
If you don’t mind my asking, what mad you apprehensive? And what was “becoming part of the conversation” (again, if you’re comfortable sharing this)?
I admit, sometimes my comments go without any direct replies, but I feel no ill will when that occurs. Those things are bound to happen.
Right, but it can be discouraging—as if people are ignoring you. Some people may be ignoring you, but others may agree, but just don’t have anything to add—and saying, “Oh, I agree with this,” can make someone feel a bit silly, so sometimes you get no response. A lack of response could mean many things, but it’s something one should try to get used to. (Of course, if the lack of response becomes too frequent, that can be hard to withstand—this applies to trolls; hence, we should ignore them.)
@G
You shouldn’t have to follow a set of rules just so people don’t think you’re a troll,…
I don’t think the recommendations are “rules that people must follow.” I think they’re more like tips or friendly advice. People can choose to ignore them, but I think some of the advice given can help.
Maybe it should be “How not to mistake people for trolls.”
I sort of offered some comments in this vein.
Jazz : Happy to respond :) I am very shy in real life (lol) so I wasn’t quite comfortable in just jumping in and posting. Plus I was adding people who’ve seen so many more /different films than me, so I felt like a major novice!!
By part of the conversation I just mean the forums didn’t implode when I started posting. And I got some responses to things I’ve posted so I just felt like I’d got my foot in the door and was no longer apprehensive.
Good points all around. Get so aggravated with trolls on forums.
“I’ve encountered a few posters (thankfully, a few), who toss off names such as Kracauer and Arnheim, any play with words like “fabula,” without demonstrating any understanding of what the hell they are talking about. They just enjoy sounding like a “film intellectual,” whatever the hell that is, without convincing anyone that they have the slightest clue.”
Maybe we can all post of academic credentials and CVs as proof of our intellectual bona fides.
And what the hell gives you people such infinite wisdom that allows you to judge people with such superiority?
What do you mean, “you people”?
In my best Downey Jr. impersonation ;)
@G
And what the hell gives you people such infinite wisdom that allows you to judge people with such superiority?
That’s how we’re coming across? I don’t get that sense, and I personally, don’t mean it that way, fwiw. I certainly don’t think I possess “infinite wisdom.” I’d like to think I have some experience and ideas that might help others in this situation, but other people will have to decide if that’s true or not. Anyway, I don’t want to sound like a know-it-all, and I can see some of my posts can induce eye-rolling out there, but I want more new people who want interesting conversations about film, so I wanted to speak out on this issue.
ug, too much writing people, keep comments short and sweet.
Verbosity leads to apathy, apathy leads to Michael Bay, Michael Bay leads to suffering.
Sorry Jazz, that wasn’t directed at you at all, I should have been more specific. It was actually only at Mr Cinematic Cteve.
And yes I do agree with your points Jazz, though I personally don’t mind the occasional “utter jerk”; they can be thoroughly entertaining.
Uli gets points for the Star Wars reference, but immediately loses those points for the reference being from the second (and largely mythological—I don’t believe in it myself) trilogy.
Silly Uli.
Yes, House, Silly Uli, films are for kids ;^p
You know I love you.
yes, but if text me another pic of your penis you’ve crossed the line from love to obbession
Uh, TMI^
Edit: ;)
Cinematic Cteve
As an addenda, anyone who responds to obviously over-reaching pomposity in Mubi threads should not be construed as a troll.
I’ve encountered a few posters (thankfully, a few), who toss off names such as Kracauer and Arnheim, any play with words like “fabula,” without demonstrating any understanding of what the hell they are talking about. They just enjoy sounding like a “film intellectual,” whatever the hell that is, without convincing anyone that they have the slightest clue.
Simply put, if you wanna play in the Kracauer sandbox, demonstrate at least some fundamental understanding that suggests you’ve actually read Kracauer. There’s a difference between knowing the name of a tool (Oooh! A buzz saw!) and understanding how to use the tool correctly to achieve something (Shit! I have cut off my thumb!).
To be clear, I have no problem skimming (or more likely, skipping) any threads that indulge in film theory, narratology, “poststructuralism,” “neoformalism,” or even esoteric metaphysics — hell, I enjoy philosophy as much as anyone — but if I interject an arched eyebrow, that does not mean I’m trolling. It simply means my bullshit meter is hovering in the red zone and I am more likely to write that the person posting is merely a poseur and probably full of shit. That doesn’t make me a troll. It is simply a variation of “Look! The Emperor has no clothes!”
As a gentle encouragement that will benefit everyone, and an apt summary to my little essay:
If you do not know what you are talking about, please stop talking. If, on the other hand, you are roaring drunk, then post away because it is fun to watch.
Thank you, and please pass the popcorn.
Steve
CinemaUprising.blogspot.com