Would you still read faithfully if we disabled comments altogether?
Friday, August 28, 2020 at 11:52AM We're considering our options. We haven't been able to figure out what the impetus is for people pretending to be other commenters or pretending to be writers or editors of this blog. We don't have psychology degrees. Sometimes the perpetators post totally non-offensive non-disagreeable things while pretending to be someone else, but it's still at its core, disgusting and dishonest behavior, intended to mislead even in the times when it isn't intended to offend. The reason we have never forced user registration is we didn't want to set up an obstacle to reader engagement and we hate it, ourselves, when we have to "log in" to our own favourite websites. It's so easy to forget passwords and the like. But perhaps we should do that? Thoughts? Would you register to the site in order to have commenting privileges? Or perhaps a pay wall where only patrons of the site can comment? Maybe that's the solution.
Reader Comments (99)
I think user registration is the way to go. It's worth the extra step if it solves a problem and give you peace of mind. :)
I would register if called upon to do so.
User registration or a paywall would be fine with me. I would hate to see commenting go away altogether. I love the community among commenters here even though it's become infested in the past year.
I agree with George, anything that could give you peace of mind. :)
Do what you have to do. Registration seems like a pretty low bar to allow for commenting. My thought though is that wouldn't really keep out the trolls, would it? Assuming these are just people who get off on sewing discord wherever they go. Are they even people?
Agreed with the folks above. User registration or paywall are fine with me. I appreciate the conversation the comments generate, which is on the whole interesting and thoughtful. But if it's a hassle, you should do what makes sense for you and the team.
Those are energy vampires like Colin Robison. They are feeding right now. Its the only explanation. I hate websites logins but I would do it for the film experience. I think its the way to go. It can also help if you only allow an unique author name on the registration
I would also register if that was required though I'm sorry to hear its come to such a pass.
I've been reading TFE since 2005 and I'm really dismayed by what's happened in the comments section here. I think user registration is a totally reasonable reaction. You've given us wonderful content for two decades - you shouldn't have to waste your time dealing with this malicious nonsense.
On Jason Adams' brilliant website, My New Plaid Pants, he uses Google ID. He doesn't seem to get a bunch of trolls. Anyone who is reading this, seriously go to the man's site. It has insight and hot guys. He is the one who turned me on to this amazing site. Both are daily must reads. He's a writer on here, so I hope I'm not doing anything wrong by touting his site as well as praising this one.
I'd register or be fine without comments although I like reading them more than writing them. You probably don't know this but I'm with you for like 12 years already so I'm ok with any option if it allows the site to continue peacefully.
I'd read even if I couldnt comment.
I'd register to comment if that is what was needed.
If only those that financially contribute could comment I'd contribute until I couldnt.
I'd register / agree to a paywall
A lot of commenting threads use "DISQUS"... which is free and lets you use only your user account so there's no tomfoolery... The only thing with that is, there is "upvotes" and "downvotes" to it, sort of like "likes" on facebook.
I feel I get a lot out of the comments section, especially for the supporting actress smackdowns! Would totally be happy with registration!
I'm here no matter what. Do what feels right to you. Your content is very interactive, so having some sort of commenting/conversations seems right. So, perhaps a registration or premium paywall. Thanks for checking in on this.
To the question in the post title, I would read faithfully no matter what! Also happy to register in order to comment. Whatever the team thinks is best for protecting the comments.
Is there an option for not having a username at all? That way it would be just the content of opinions that matter and not who wrote what. But I guess some people feel as though they have a certain reputation to maintain? I'd rather just read the comments without authors and have a way each reply to that comment falls under it.
100% would register to keep comments on -- a paywall works too (I'm a small monthly contributor but understand that's not an option for everyone). It's an element of the site I would deeply miss. Sorry it has come to this and, truly, fuck the imposters.
Please try keeping comments open for now. They add such a vital component to this site.
I'm all for registering or a paywall as well.
I'd definitely still read if I had to log in.
As long as it wouldn't be an inconvenient barrier for potential new readers.
(I've been a regular reader/irregular commenter since the 2003 awards season - I think - so I've already developed the habit.)
Although to the casual reader any trolling/imitating is negligible and solved by a simple selfless change of username by one glaring occurrence (They also don't have a distinctive voice like a /3rtful or Volvagia, so having no signature to their opinions would make their new moniker impossible to trace) in the name of the site's overall environment, registration would be fine. I think you've overblown one user digging their heels in and to be fair, their so called 'imitators' often provide the comments of value so I'm unsure why they don't develop their own voice from their own name.
As a longtime reader who enjoys reading the comments as much as the articles, I’d hate to see the possibility to post be gone. I think user registration might reduce the amount of comments and won’t keep the trolls entirely out, but it will regulate the situation while still keeping your hardcore readers (which there’s many of) interacting and expanding the conversation you and your staff generate.
I’ll be totally down with creating a profile.
Some of you haven't seen The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror VI and it shows: Just don't look! Just don't look! Or ignore the trolls.
I think it's one particularly vocal commenter who Nathaniel has taken a particular interest in their grievances in the past who seem the main reason for this post. Since it seems to be mostly about one person may I suggest an easy solution should Nathaniel not want to set up a registration? Because the name means so much to them and they get very vocal and mad about 'alleged' imitations (often the 'imitators' make more sense or say more interesting things which confuses matters) that maybe they could start a throwaway twitter and do a copy and paste of their comments their as well as an easy verification after establishing it as the account of the aggrieved commenter. If twitter is already logged in it's a ten second copy and past, twenty seconds if not. Nathaniel gets his peace, the commenter I won't mention has no worries and we all can move on from this non event of a debacle. You can even put your twitter into the Author URL (optional) section if it brings your joy.
Sorry for the long winded reply, but it's very simple and i'm shocked neither you or the commenter I won't mention have not thought of the easy less self absorbed solution. Their preciousness has kept me from commenting more often.
I’d be happy to register as well. I love reading the comments here.
I would really enjoy and prefer user registration.
I 100% would support whatever you need to do. Whether it be disabling comments altogether, having to create a profile, or even a paywall. (Though, with covid times hurting me fiscally, I’d struggle with the latter).
I love this site and have read faithfully for over a decade. It’s pretty much my homepage.
Do what you have to do, Nathaniel!
You don't need the hassle or extra work.
Cheers, Rick
I'm on board with having user registration or a paywall serve as barriers to comment
Generally, I hate to register just to comment. But this is one site I would make an exception for. Just don't sell our info to spammers.
Do your thing, buddy. It's become more necessary to take these actions in the current national climate. We'll still be here.
I think logins would make sense and if someone's primary handle is taken, they can reach out to let you know. I'm used to logging into my favorite sites and it would make sense to tie it back to an email address so we can always verify.
I would definitely sign up to post. Would also do the paywall thing... subscribe to post. I don't post a ton, but i do like reading people's recommendations here on topics of interest to me.
I have got wise to most of them now but i'd be happy to log in but please don't loose the comments.
I'd still read daily if comments weren't allowed.
I would definitely subscribe to the site. We've enjoyed your site (which offers a variety of daily updates) for a long time and you've been offering all this to us for free to us loyal readers. I'll be down to support on a monthly basis.
I would absolutely register if need be. Such a shame that foolishness can't be avoided even in an online community like this. So sorry this had been an ongoing headache.
Anybody worried can set up a twitter and put it in the Author URL (optional) section of the comments. If a comment is contested, check and verify it. If a commenter is unsure and weirdly care if they are responding to the genuine article than a simple check to see if the comment is in the twitter is all that's needed. About half a minute for the commenter/reader/responder should they care.
Volvagia you are a genius!!!!!!! PEGGY SUE PLEASE TAKE NOTE (Caps so they don't miss. Their tears and tantrums, valid though wildly overblown, will be no more. Readers taking responsibility for readers problems and not heaping it on Nathaniel)!!!!!!!!
I would register. And I confess that the comments would be sorely missed. I like the interaction between the readers.
Impostors or trolls are quite unpleasant. Could we ignore them? Yes, we could! However, I believe that some kind of control to avoid unpleasant comments, identity fraud and other inappropriate behavior would be very welcome!
Currently, AW, for example, another discussion forum that I liked is unaffordable. And all for lack of some kind of moderation by those responsible for the site!
I know thefilmexperience totally deserves a subscription but unfortunately it would be impossible for someone like me who lives in countries such as iran to subscribe due to us sanctions!
I have been a faithful reader since 2010 when I was just a 15 years old And I will always be with comments or without
I’m a faithful reader but almost never comment. I think this site is great and will support your decisions.
I love reading the comments and frankly have been trained by the internet to immediately skip over anything obnoxious.
They don’t bother me or distract from my enjoyment of the site, and while I often think of the funny/informative comments I’ve read here, there is literally not 1 troll comment I can remember.
I don't often read the comments, so I wouldn't miss them too much of you disabled them. I would register if you decided to go that route.
I'd support whatever you decide to do because this site has been such a pleasure for me to visit for the past decade. I hate that you have to even think about this because your site has been all about positivity and great film conversation that is being corrupted by nonsense personal attacks that aren't necessary.
I'll follow the site however I can because I have such a love an appreciation for all those who contribute to the sites output.
Do what makes you happy... I would read. It seems the trollers are fewer now.. No????
And the Nobel Prize for ingenuity goes to.....Volvagia!
A tiny nuisance complained into a full blown annoyance.
To Peggy Sue we all say: You have got to swing it, shake it, move it, make it.....
I always include my email in all the posts
To the posers and the ones who get off pointing them out and being outraged (They may be faking the fakes for attention, clout or they want Nathaniel to change the website comment section layout): Please Stop Immediately.
For the love of Glenn, it happens to us all from time to time. Don't feed something and it will starve. Black Lives Matter, but a Peggy Sure being a Karen is worth a meltdown.
This is like the second time I have ever commented. But have been a loyal reader for 10 years! I will continue to check this website at least once a day and read something unique and incredible.