One of the best things about running a movie site is the commenters.
I love reading what people have to say about what we write – both the news itself and our opinions on the news of the day. It gives Screen Rant a sense of community that I and my writers work hard to maintain and grow.
To that end, I’m pretty strict on what is allowed and not allowed in the comments section.
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The short version is: No profanity and no personal attacks. It makes people feel safe enough to express their opinions without fear of being “flamed” and I believe it’s a big part of why we have so many “regulars” here on the site.
But of course everything isn’t always sunshine and roses. 
As Screen Rant has grown in popularity and is popping up on more radar screens, we’ve begun to attract some of what I consider to be the absolute bane of the internet:
The spineless and spiteful anonymous commenter.
You know the type: They arrive at a blog or social website and promptly begin spewing vile garbage. It can be a rant against another commenter’s opinion or the point of view of the article itself. Generally there are a couple of hallmarks representative of these folks:
- They can’t seem to express themselves without using profanity.
- Instead of arguing why their point of view is valid, they just attack the person expressing the opposing point of view.
- They do it anonymously.
Now let me be clear: I have NO problem with people disagreeing with the opinions we express here at Screen Rant – in fact, we expect it. This is after all, an editorial movie news site/blog. (A point I have had to repeat more than once when we’ve been accused of a lack of objectivity.)
What I do have a problem with is people who can’t express their point of view in a civil, intelligent manner. If you disagree with a movie review, I don’t want to hear “You’re a $%*%ing idiot! Why are you even allowed to review movies you @$@##$ %^@##$$ #$##@@%!!!!.” On the other hand, please do feel free to tell us WHY you disagree – in your opinion the acting was better than we described, character so and so DID have motivation to do X, etc.
Recent examples include things like:
- Calling us “gay” for doing so much Star Trek coverage.
- Someone ripping me a new one for ONE typo in a review (nothing about the validity of the review itself).
- Four sarcastic comments in a row about how we run the site.
- Getting cussed out because I think that AVP:R was a terrible movie.
- Calling other commenters “stupid,” “idiotic” or worse.
The other thing that I find pathetic is that when someone does try to post an idiotic comment, 95% of the time they don’t use a valid email address. They’ll think they’re being witty by using something like you@suck.com or some other brilliant address. Once in a great while we’ll get a flaming comment and when someone actually includes their email address, I contact them offline and usually we sort things out (much to their surprise).
On the other hand, using a fake email address and dropping a trollish comment is to me the most pathetic form of online cowardice. This tells me that face to face you’d never have the balls to say to someone’s face what you have no problem typing on your little keyboard. My rule is treat someone online the same as you would if you were sitting across from them in the same room, and you thought they might be able to kick your ass. Be. Polite.
If you notice all of us who write for Screen Rant use our real names as a byline. We have our opinions and we are secure enough to stand by them.
But if you’re such a spineless little wuss that you’re not even man enough to leave a real email address when you leave your flame bomb, you’re not welcome here. Rest assured that I can see your IP address – act like a jerk and your comments will automatically be circular-filed. Cross way over the line and you’ll be banned from even seeing the site at all.
Want to disagree and debate intelligently? Come on in and join us, we’d love to have you! Just looking to vent to compensate for your lack of manhood? There are plenty of other sites out there where you can have a party with other like minds. You won’t be missed here.
Sincerely,
Vic Holtreman, Owner/Editor-in-Chief: ScreenRant.com
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55 Comments
@Dave Fernandez
I appreciate what you’re saying but I believe you are twisting what I said. Here is my exact quote:
“Digg ‘regulars’ are notoriously Left/Liberal/Atheist for the vast majority. “
That means that they EITHER “Left,” “Liberal,” or “Athiest” for the most part over there – and that my friend, is obvious to anyone who frequents that website. That does not mean that I’m saying “if you’re one of those, you’re all of them.”
Thanks for noting that I apologized for bringing it up in a post where it would have been better left out, though.
Considering the hundreds of comments and posts I’ve written, I’m entitled to slip up once in a while (I am human, believe it or not). I’m talking about people whose stock in trade is to be antagonistic online day in and day out.
And folks, Ken J is right: the point of this post was most certainly NOT to apologize for a typo – it was just an example.
Best,
Vic
Well put, this site is the very first place I look for movie reviews or news. Keep up to good work.
Nick, et al: It’s great to see the nice words you all have to say about us, Vic and the site. Thanks for them. -Bruce
Great post Vic!
All sites like this eventually have to deal with this problem. The fact that it is so easy for people to hide really brings out the most hideous parts of some people. It’s too easy to leave a fake name/fake email, so people can say the most horrible things imaginable. It truly is sad. But as writers for websites we must be prepared to face the occasional biggot or cowardly jerk. It’s just part of the job. I think you did a great job of bringing it out into the open, and addressing it publicly so everyone can see that won’t be tolerated.
Just another reason why I love it here at Screen Rant. Reading your posts here is one reason why I got into the internet movie site business. Thanks for the inspiration Vic. And thanks to all the regulars, both here and over where I “work” who bring their opinions and ideas to our attention in a respectable manner. Vic is right, reading the comments really makes this “job” special!
I can honestly say that my email, as used by me, is not real. The reason is, that no one on this board NEEDS TO KNOW IT. It’s not about having something to hide, it’s about: “why would someone else WANT my email address?” Going to spam me or something? I post only legitimate comments, not using profanity, but often flying in the face of politically correct, herd-mentality movie loving.
That said, message board trolls are all over the net, and they are people with too much time on their hands. They only want to cause trouble, not give inciteful feedback on ANYTHING they’ve seen. All I can say to the MODS, is delete their posts, but be careful not to start deleting ANYTHING that goes against your opinion, or god forbid, you wind up like the Allspark discussion board, where anything you say “against” a new transformers product is labelled “flaming,” and you get booted.
Sometimes, it’s a fine line.
Might be an idea to have people create accounts on this site before commenting.. There are options to hide email addresses for people that prefer to have it hidden. It’s about time with the success of this site to now head down this path to reduce the amnount of idiots posting and wasting your time filtering it out.
Vic, I am impressed with how far this newsletter and site has come in the last year. It’s short and sweet and covers only the interesting titles. The only movie email I have sent to my inbox.
Kudos to you all at Screenrant.
First off, its Good that you have become popular. That’s a big plus. I certainly respect your standards as I don’t really get the use of profanity in written form. Hey, we all curse at least once in a while, but when its in written form, its just seems so low class. At least to me. Many other big sites have no problem with it, which surpises me a little but I guess to each there own. I don’t get it either when the F-Bomb is used repeatedly in podcasts. Like Bruce Wayne said in the Dark Knight We need to aspire to be so much more! Thats just my opinion.
Chuck
Good post Vic,
I wish other sites would take such a stand.
@Jim Dandy
Let’s be clear: NO ONE CAN SEE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS except for myself and my writers. It is not visible or made available to regular site visitors in any way. It can’t be seen be viewing the page source code or anything like that.
So while I can understand your online paranoia (and I don’t mean that in a bad way at ALL with all the spambots out there) your concerns about it are completely unwarranted.
The thing is when someone subscribes to a comment thread that is popular and I get a continuous string of bounced emails because it’s a bogus address, it bugs the hell out of me.
Vic
HEY ALL: In regards to emails and online concerns, I get it completely.
We’re careful here, as Vic noted. I spent several years as a network admin and there were a few tricks we used to use when we would sign up for things.
Here’s my fav: Sign up for an email for the use on forums and other places. I don’t recommend AOL… they randomly block emails before you even see it … but yahoo and gmail are pretty good.
Just a thought.
Hear! Hear!
I’ve been studying the way people use comments for over a year now, and it’s amazing to see the almost virtual society that you will see in the land of website commentary. USAToday is probably my favorite to watch and participate in right now because literally – it’s like that scene you see in any movie about New York – that shot of people of all walks of life walking down the street – inattentive, some chatting to themselves, others with their head down, others reading. It’s amazing. I can imagine doing several formal studies that would provide oodles of information about the way and frequency people post comments. Great stuff and a super-pointed article Vic. Well done.
Pfft @ people who freak out over typos. I made a bunch (yes, a bunch) of really bad one AGES and when I re-read my comment, I was so ashamed of myself. I didn’t show my face (figuratively, duh) ’round these parts for ages. But I got over it. Why? Because I am not some divine being who’s perfect in every way (as much as I’d like to think so, let’s face it…I’m not Mary Poppins).
and UGH! INTERNET SPAMMERS!!!11!! I blow my nose at them, those sons of a silly person.
you tell em’ vic
Vic-
Kudos.
Since i am new to the whole comments thing, I have this to say, I enjoy posting here, because I do not feel that i will be attacked because of my opinions, and I can joke around.
Thanks Vic for running this site the way you do, its a safe Haven for Opinions. If I, in any way, have violated any of your protocols, I sincerly apologize and meant no harm in doing so.
Once agian Vic Keep up the good Work
I just wanted to say,
This is the best site of its kind online.
Bar None.
Thanks guys, I do appreciate your comments about the site. We work hard to make it what it is and a bit unique when compared to other sites.
Vic
As one of the writers here, I have to say Vic is cool to work for too.
Don’t forget to spread the warmth and tell your friends and others about this uber-cool source of entertainment news and commentary!
Thanks everyone.
Well Golly, Horsepuckey and Dangit…
Just used some profanity!
Sorry!
Many thanks and salutations to you and yours!!!
Love it here…
Larry
It’s true Bruce,
Vic can be a cool guy
J/K I love writing for ya bud.
Vic-
To everyone, this site’s existence is a testament to why the internet is a superior editorial forum. Congratulations on the daily return of movie-viewers worth their salt.
And remember, trolls are boys who never grow up.
Hey Vic,
I’d just like to say that I’ve been reading Screenrant for a couple years now, and it’s the only place that I go to for movie news. I think that your site is very well run and has a great community.
Keep it up.
@Troy
Thanks very much. I wish more regular visitors would “de-lurk” and join in on the conversations here.
Vic
@ Lawerence Rocha-
You forgot Yosemite Sam’s favorite profanities:
Dadblamed and rassafratchin’
I mean seriously…if you’re going to curse Vic out, use the heavy duty profanity!
(*Grin!*)
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