9 replies to this topic

[David Smedberg]

Flaming drives online social networks

I've noticed this effect with Top100 movies and their discussion topics. In many cases, until someone says they actually dislike the movie, the discussion can't begin!

Somehow, it seems like it's much easier to have a discussion about how much we agree when we're face-to-face. Not that there isn't a real temptation to be negative all the time, but my experience is that the temptation to criticize/nitpick/get personal is greatly amplified for online communities like ours...

Edited by David Smedberg, 08 December 2010 - 02:19 PM.

[Overstreet]

And that is the secret of Jeffrey Wells' success.

He peppers his film blog with posts about how much he hates:

undeveloped beards
sandals
fat people (which he defines very, very loosely)
Christians
Republicans
etc.
etc.
etc.

Edited by Overstreet, 08 December 2010 - 02:28 PM.

[Christian]

I read Hollywood Elsewhere every day.

It's about time for Wells to choose his annual movie to "take out" in the awards hunt -- the one that he can't stand, and lobbies against with fervor. I'm still upset that his crusade against Munich appeared to work. Maybe his attacks had nothing to do with the film's lack of awards traction -- it was nominated if memory serves, but didn't win anything -- but I can't shake the feeling that it probably did.

Edited by Christian, 08 December 2010 - 03:03 PM.

[Christian]

Wells actually appears to championing a particular film -- The Fighter -- this year, rather than focusing on a film he despises. But it's early yet.

[Overstreet]

His generally positive words about The King's Speech have begun to morph into sour grapes about the accolades it has received, so he's getting there. And he has nothing but contempt for anyone who suggests Toy Story 3 as a Best Picture nominee.

And he's been a bigger Social Network supporter than a Fighter supporter, IIRC.

Edited by Overstreet, 08 December 2010 - 04:27 PM.

[John Drew]

Worst. Thread. Ever.

[Peter T Chattaway]

Overstreet wrote:
: And he has nothing but contempt for anyone who suggests Toy Story 3 as a Best Picture nominee.

But only because it's an animated film. I don't think he's considered any of the film's other merits, pro or con, as far as awards viability goes.

[David Smedberg]

Overstreet, on 08 December 2010 - 02:27 PM, said:

And that is the secret of Jeffrey Wells' success.

He peppers his film blog with posts about how much he hates:

undeveloped beards
sandals
fat people (which he defines very, very loosely)
Christians
Republicans
etc.
etc.
etc.

This post reveals the ironic difficulty of how hard it is to talk about this issue. I mean: If Jeffrey Wells (whom I have never read aside from clicking links on A&F) says "People with scraggly beards are fatheads", how do we avoid lowering ourselves to his level, which will obviously just encourage him? My first thought: Isn't just ignoring him the best idea?

It becomes even more pertinent if we substitute in "Ted Baehr" and "Neo-marxist radical ideologues are ruining our children".

Baal_T, on 08 December 2010 - 10:00 PM, said:

Worst. Thread. Ever.

I was waiting for that.

[John Drew]

David Smedberg, on 09 December 2010 - 09:20 AM, said:

Baal_T, on 08 December 2010 - 10:00 PM, said:

Worst. Thread. Ever.

I was waiting for that.

It really surprised me that it hadn't been done earlier in the day.

[Gun]

Baal_T, on 09 December 2010 - 09:58 AM, said:

David Smedberg, on 09 December 2010 - 09:20 AM, said:

Baal_T, on 08 December 2010 - 10:00 PM, said:

Worst. Thread. Ever.

I was waiting for that.

It really surprised me that it hadn't been done earlier in the day.

lol.