Also, not that you noticed, but, most of the detractors in the last few days are different people. The ones who are posting every day are the same five defenders of this travesty. At least two of which are ones who ALWAYS seem to be part of it when a thread stops being about the movie and becomes about attacking other RPF posters. Not sure why they are still even around, I can speculate about friendships, but facts are facts. If you’re going to talk about ****posters, there are a couple names that actually do show up every single time a fight breaks out and...oh look...here they are in this thread. Attacking anyone who, once again, doesn’t love one of the chosen films.
That's hardly an accurate description of what's been happening here.
For quite some time, this thread and pretty much any thread on the subject of Star Wars has been getting derailed by Mr. Webber especially, and some other posters, who basically drop in to vent their negative opinions about the film. This thread in particular has spent page upon page of people engaging in a round-robin of "This film sucks and Rian Johnson sucks, too. You said part of growing up means accepting that not everyone likes the same things as you? Tell it to the nattering nabobs of negativity who turn any thread on the current state of Star Wars into a non-stop bitch-fest.
Back when Neil was busy doing
exactly the same thing with the Ghostbusters thread, someone brought up the analogy that this forum is like a bar. Everyone comes here to hang out and shoot the breeze. Not everyone has to be best buds, but for the most part, even those who don't see eye to eye can generally get along and coexist happily.
The problem arises when you get Cranky Frank who wants to do nothing but complain -- loudly -- and insert himself into every conversation that touches on his favorite subject about which to complain. It's difficult to carry on a conversation with other people when Frank keeps interjecting with stuff like "Well Ruin Johnson is just a hack, and he should be shot into the sun because TLJ is a horrible movie! It's just a horrible movie! Have I mentioned that I think it's a horrible movie? Because it is. And I thought I should tell you in case I hadn't previously told you it's a horrible movie. P.S., it's a horrible movie!" I get it. I got it the last umpteen zillion times you said it was a horrible movie, Frank.
As I've said repeatedly, I get that not everyone likes TLJ, and I understand why aspects of it are as controversial as they are. I don't personally have a problem with people simply disliking a film. What I have a problem with is people hijacking every thread about Star Wars and turning into their personal platform to bitch about this film and everything related to it, especially when they have basically nothing to add to the discussion that they haven't already said ad infinitum on every other thread on the subject.
By contrast, I have thoroughly enjoyed my discussion with sztriki on the Episode IX thread. He and I have had some long exchanges lately, and they've been fantastic! It's been a really interesting discussion and one that has been carried out in an entirely civil manner. It's been great. I would
love more discussions like that with people who dislike the film, and if that were the general tone and approach to people disliking it, I'd have zero problem with it. The difference is that there's an actual exchange of ideas, actual discourse, and not just endless variations on "This film sucks." Let's have actual discussions about the film, or the direction of the Star Wars franchise. If that's not possible, then let's either just lock all the threads, or maybe the mods/admins should step in. The danger in allowing this stuff to go unchecked is that the bar ends up deserted and all you have left is Cranky Frank and a few other folks just doing that same round-robin until they turn the lights out.
Finally, just as a general rule, I think if you or anyone else has a problem with a specific member, either PM them directly, or talk about them by name specifically so that they can at least respond directly. Don't do the "SOME people (who shall remain nameless) are ****posters" thing. Tell it to their face or take it to PMs. If you just can't remember the names, that's one thing, but when you know who you're talking about, speak up and be prepared to defend your position against the person about whom you're speaking.
...:facepalm
