In the previous thread concerning Tom Welling signing on for Season 9 of Smallville, people started to bring up the forum from the original site. I have also received several emails from people who aren't posting and were confused to find a blog and not what we had been running. So I'm responding to everyone's concerns/thoughts.Here's the problem with the other site and the reasons we shut it down.
The forums, although I believed splitting them into moderated and unmoderated would fix things, were an uncontrolled free for all. Now don't think I'm laying blame on anyone because I'm completely guilty of taking part in most questionable topics and even starting some too. I am still the administrator. It was and is my duty to set the example and enforce the rules. I failed miserably in that regard and take full responsibility for it.
Many of my sources, who even though they may personally agree with my outlook on life, political and social issues, etc, felt that if they were somehow connected to the site their reputations would be in jeopardy. This is why there hasn't been any news from me in a very long time. I've been sort of blacklisted and it's my own fault. We lost the respect of some very important people in regards to our efforts that had finally been considering what were saying.
A person's political and social views, sexual orientation, mental health status, etc have no place in discussing the future of Superman. If a side by side comparison of something to do with Superman vs a real life issue is being made, that's another story. We spent way too much time discussing Singer's lifestyle and Routh's questionable lifestyle. We didn't spend nearly enough time discussing Superman and how to fix what has been done.
Look, I'm perfectly willing to put the site back up online, but I can't allow ANY attacks other posters or discussions of questionable nature. I am very grateful to those who helped out before like Jerry, Sharon, AP, Olea, etc. In order to put it back up, I would need at least 5 people to step up and be responsible moderators with good judgment and the ability to act on their own. If you think you can do that, send me an email.
I am putting a poll up to see who wants the site back and who thinks the blog is fine. At the end of the week, if I have moderators and you guys vote to go online again, I'll do it.
Hey Steve, I normally not a regular poster on the sites, but I am a frequent visitor to it. I had a few brief back and forth Emails with Emi over at IESB about the future of Superman and concerns on the then JL film. I would like to have the opportunity to be a moderator on your site, as I also feel the importance of re-introducing Superman and other DC properties to new and old audiences.
ReplyDeleteMy email address is toadster376@yahoo.com
Steve, you have MY vote to put the site back up, but I know nothing of being a moderator & would probably rather just support it instead.
ReplyDeleteSo we basically need to quit the Routh bashing & such, that's what you're saying? I'll tell you the truth, that may not be the easiest thing to do as it's been rather humorous to me, but if it will get your credibility back, it could be worth it.
Speaking of that, you say that some important people don't listen to us anymore. So what do we need to do to regain their confidence? Sure, they may've been offended by some of our antics, but there were also some GOOD IDEAS put out there FOR the reboot. Certainly they're not just rejecting all of that 'out of hand' now, are they?
Yes! Let's get the site back up, but let's ALSO get SOMEONE'S attention with the good ideas that REAL Superman fans have for what they expect in their films. Star Trek is awesome! Superman should be NO LESS!
Steve, anyone you can talk to now to get them BACK on our side?
While I would certainly like to see the site come back, I think that keeping it as a blog for now may be best. All of us have to prove that we can get along and keep it on topic.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure we've proven that yet, Myself included. There is much to much anger, resentment, and in some cases down right hatred between the two sides. And, in order for this to regain its momentum, I think, there has to be a period of time where it's obvious these issues can be dealt with maturely.
No offense to Non-Amos, but his response about how hard it will be to stop ripping into BR is a prime example of how far we have to go before I think someone would take the site seriously again.
It's a true shame that this happened. I may be an apologist, but I want to see a great Superman film. I want that same feeling I had on Saturday when I saw Star Trek to happen when I see another Superman.
Hey steve i would love to see forum page again, as long we all try our best of not bashing folks again, we all are a bit guilty on that. Hopefully we can all help you build back your creditablity.
ReplyDeleteI would like to help out with the forum if you do decide to bring it back but like above poster said i also dont know much on moderating forum sites. Plus i am a bit busy in real life for the next month or so with school and would only be on at various short periods.
Best of luck steve and what ever you decide to do i will back you.
The advantage in sticking to a blog/comment-based format is focusing the issues strictly on Superman films. I liked the old website with all the forums and whatnot (esp banning certain toolbags who should never have signed up) but the reality of the situation is that a blog format better allows for focus on Superman films.
ReplyDeleteI kind of resent the "lifestyle" thing though. I haven't read SO MUCH AS ONE criticism/bashing/whatever of the "lifestyle" of various cast and crew members of SV. I understand your point Steve, and I sympathize. Moreover, I'll do my part in cooperating with the policy but the whole thing is ridiculous.
Colors..
ReplyDeleteWhat you said about nobody bashing "lifestyle" choices of cast members/crew on Smallville is true. And for the record, I disagree with those who say we were nothing but gay bashers. Yes, we discussed Routh's resume contents. Yes, we detailed the sometimes not so subtle hints that Singer included in both the X-Men films and Superman Returns that expressed his lifestyle choice. However, we did NOT discuss the sexuality or film role choices of anyone else. The problem was that we came across too focused on Singer and Routh and not focused enough on Superman.
non-amos..
I will never ban the discussion of Routh or Singer. Whether we like it or not, they are both permanently connected to Superman's history. Again, the issue was we focused too much on expressing our hatred of SR. How we discuss them is the key. And yes, I am still in contact with certain people and trying to smooth things over. Whatever happens with the site, I must never again take part in blatant attacks on any one poster or actor or director if we hope to regain any sense of respect.
Steve, here's to hoping you're able to restore your reputation in the community. While I don't post here too often or on the old website, I did make it a point to visit and lurk everyday. I prefer the website for the simple reason I think a website would be easier to navigate and some news stories won't necessarily get moved to the next page as quickly as on a blog. Ultimately this is your baby and you'll do what you feel is best. Just my two cents. Good luck.
ReplyDelete"No offense to Non-Amos, but his response about how hard it will be to stop ripping into BR is a prime example of how far we have to go before I think someone would take the site seriously again."
ReplyDeleteNow c'mon, swright, you can't honestly tell me that you yourself haven't been amused by the likes of 'BJ Routhman', 'Brenden Ruth', 'the Man of Wood', & so on. It's been a gas, right? Don't just single me out when I'm sure WE ALL have gotten a kick out of this to some degree.
But yeah, I want a great Superman film also. After Star Trek, I myself may have to take another look at JJ Abrams. And let's also not forget to see what kind of job McG does with Terminator Salvation.
After seeing Star Trek, I would too give Abrams a look, if he does not write the movie. Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman wrote ST and they were FANS of the TV show. If Abrams can get writers that are FANS of Superman then we could possible get a good Superman film.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Star Trek. This was a well made film.
Yeah, & don't forget, JJ has had the past few years to examine WHY the fanbase didn't like HIS version of Superman. Sure, it never got made, but it could've been & I'm sure he's heard (& read) his fair share of criticism about what he wanted to do with the character.
ReplyDeleteCertainly he's ALSO seen the debacle that was Singerman. So it's fair to say that he's also heard the cries for a good SUPERMAN reboot. IF he were to be given another chance, I don't think he'd give us the disaster that he would've given us several years ago.
I know some bash him for it, but I personally enjoyed CLOVERFIELD. I know a lot of duh apologists bashed him for it unmercifully, but I enjoyed it, so poot on them! I enjoyed STAR TREK far moreso! Honestly ST made Cloverfield look like a 'B' horror film, so JJ really upped the ante.
Superman1938, you make a good point about letting someone else write it though. Orci & Kurtzman ARE fans, so that made ALL the difference, I'm sure. Can't you imagine what would've happened if JON PETERS could've gotten himself mixed up in this project? We'd be bashing this film right now INSTEAD of praising it!
But WHO would be the RIGHT writer(s) for the Superman reboot? I know several of the comics writers have already been rejected by WB, so just WHO would be right for this that would do it JUSTICE?!
And since WB has had some recent partnerships with Paramount, here's HOPING that WB will pay CLOSE ATTENTION to the Star Trek reboot, IF ya know what I mean. Also, the interesting thing about ST is this, it's both a sequel AND a reboot. A sequel in that it INDEED does continue from the established universe, but also a reboot since this new 'young' Trek is NOW taking place in an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE, due to the actions of Nero. So you could say that the reboot will continue from here, BUT..........without a doubt Old Spock's timeline still exists somewhere, if only he could get back to it.
"Now c'mon, swright, you can't honestly tell me that you yourself haven't been amused by the likes of 'BJ Routhman', 'Brenden Ruth', 'the Man of Wood', & so on. It's been a gas, right? Don't just single me out when I'm sure WE ALL have gotten a kick out of this to some degree."
ReplyDeleteNo..I'm not saying that at all. I only used your example because it was the most recent..lol..My point is that we have to stop that stuff in order for the respect to be returned. Let the SSS blog handle that stuff.
I do hope that the next superman film can do what the new trek has done.
ReplyDelete"Let the SSS blog handle that stuff."
ReplyDeleteThe problem with that, though, is that THAT site is practically dead now. There's no updates, & hardly ever even a comment posted. It's been like that for some time. Oh well.
I suppose I'll have to refer to Ruth as Brandon Routh now. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteAnyway good point about Star Trek though. Let's hope Warners have the sense to give Superman to someone with an eye to the future instead of somebody like Singer who only had a vision of the past, and even got that completely wrong.
I think that a blog would be the best format. With a blog, IMO, it's easier to maintain a singular voice and a specific cause. With a website with forums and subforums, it's easy to get off track (as you've experienced). So I recommend staying with this model, that of a blog. That being said, I DO think that the comments section MUST be moderated to a certain extent, and as you said, you HAVE to stay out of the "fights" when they DO happen. It's one thing to have those types of arguments within the comments section of your blog, but when you participate in those arguments...well...you've seen what happens. And as for moderation, for it to work there HAS to be a concrete system in place for Warnings/banning people who do not comply with the rules. A certain number of warnings, and then if they STILL don't comply, then they are banned. That has to be enforced, no matter which side of the "argument" someone may be on, otherwise there's no point to the rules in the first place, and you'll be right back where you started.
ReplyDeleteCounter-point. The problem with a blog though is that we may need to make comments that have nothing to do with the current topic. Take the recent thread on Welling refusing to wear the tights. If you have something else to discuss,, WHERE do you do it at? IF there was already a relevant recent article, you could possibly post there, but the problem there is the farther back you have to go, the LESS likely it's going to be seen. That's one reason that the website offers you the luxury to be able to post your own thread for any number of subjects.
ReplyDeleteNow, some are arguing to KEEP the blog so we can stay focused on saving Superman. Well, couldn't the website serve the same purpose? I mean, look at 'Superman Homepage'. They're SUPPOSEDLY for ALL things Superman, right? We all know they're actually a haven for apologists, BUT.....they do get by with being a legitimate Superman site that I suppose does at times gets the attention of TPTB. However, they STILL have various forums discussing all kinds of things, usually under Miscellaneous.
So why can't realists have the SAME luxury?
"So why can't realists have the SAME luxury?"
ReplyDeleteBecause changing this thing from a Save Superman blog to a general Superman fan website or, worse, expanding the focus beyond Superman films dilutes the central message of this page's essential mission statement- saving Superman.
Yeah, sure, it's great to have an outlet to talk about Smallville, how awesome the new Trek movie is (and it *IS* awesome, btw), get some scoop on the GL flick but none of those things are really about getting a *GOOD* Superman reboot.
As for creative namechanges, I guess I'll have to retire "BJ The Bartender". I so liked that nickname. Oh well. "Routh" he is.
ReplyDeleteI guess "Singerman" is probably out too. On some forums, I tend to call Bryan Singer's 2006 superhero film "the Singer movie" (as I refuse to associate the man in the cape with that travesty). No harm in adopting that same method here, I s'pose...
I'm not barring people from giving nicknames. You want to cal Routh a bartender or refer to SR as Singerman, etc be my guest. Just don't focus attention on their social status or lifestyles. Keep the focus on Superman.
ReplyDeleteworks for me...I still like Stickman...Watched Routh on Fearnet.com and his performance has not improved. Still the most awful delievery of dialog ever.
ReplyDeleteI loved the old sites both of them the original, and the one you had up before this one.
ReplyDeleteAs for this one it's cool to as long as you get the message across that's all that matters.
What is the verdict?
ReplyDelete