The "too many LOTR/Hobbit/Tolkien" threads poll - vote now!

[Quintus 6,499]

Yes, and their complaints are perfectly valid. It's not because they hate LotR, gkgyver - look at GD for crying out loud: it's a fuckin' mess! It's hard to ignore LotR and Hobbit threads and pick out the Johnny or whatever else threads because at the moment it feels like finding a needle in a haystack to those guys. It's not fair on non-LotR fans, end of story.

This is JWFan.com. Where is Ricard? Why aren't threads being consolidated, why isn't the mess being stripped and hosed down?

[JoeinAR 1,957]

You can yell. S'all good.

You said he "made this poll and admitted there were too many LOTR threads." Your phrasing linked the two actions, as if to say that by making this poll, he was admitting as much. That's what led to my response. You didn't reference the other thread when you said it, so I had no way of knowing that was your source.

And I was just using it to lead into my comment about Jason's noble gesture here. It was really never meant to be a shot at you at all.

- Uni

well to be honest I added that part about Jason as an afterthought. my original post was mucho shorter.

[indy4 160]

I'm indifferent. Either get a subforum or continue as is, doesn't really matter.

[wanner251 18]

In the event of having to weed through so many LOTR threads, I find myself entering into discussions inadvertently, which of course is my own problem, but perhaps it would be helpful to have just a few pinned threads while the topic is hot, and then unpin them as it fades again.

Of course, unfortunately none of the solutions posed will prevent threads that begin unrelated to LOTR from turning into LOTR threads. However, I do think that having a few pinned threads will provide enough accessibility for those who want to discuss it, that it will hopefully stay out of the other threads. I suppose it depends on the moderator's intentions.

I know this isn't one of the choices, but I'm only trying to be helpful.

Personally, and I'll be honest, after today, I don't have anything more to say about LOTR until I have organized evidence to back up my claims (I'm not as closed-minded as some may think, and despite it coming across that way, trolling is not my intention). Where I eventually post my views more clearly, probably months from now, is not really a concern of mine.

[KK 3,313]

By the way, is that you with Williams wanner? I've been meaning to ask...

[wanner251 18]

By the way, is that you with Williams wanner? I've been meaning to ask...

I'm afraid to say yes at this point.... but yes... why?

[KK 3,313]

No reason really, I just find that really cool!

We never have film concerts around here, so I always envy those lucky guys who have had the privilege to meet the maestro himself!

Any story to share?

[wanner251 18]

It was definitely a chance of a lifetime, but I must admit it was a bit embarrassing for me. I really was quite tongue-tied. I think that it had a lot to do with the fact that the idea of meeting him had worked out merely because I was sitting next to one of the San Diego Symphony's creative directors at dinner. It all happened so fast. Anyway, he had me find him after the concert, and then took me down to meet John Williams. There were quite a few people waiting to do so. I was one of the ones at the end of the line. I did manage to thank him for thoroughly enriching my life musically for the past 21 years (actually more than that, but I didn't realize it until 21 years ago). I told him that I had been so obsessed with "Journey to the Island" when I was 13, that I tried to transcribe it by ear, and that ever since then I had become a complete geek for film music, and especially for his. He was gracious, but didn't seem to interested because I was at the end of the line; I'm sure he was happy to be finished meeting people, and also tired after a 2-hour concert with 3 encores. He had some friends there, particularly Jahja Ling's family, so he quickly excused himself, wishing me luck. I managed to hang out in the room for a little while longer, and my mind was reeling so much that I just sort of stood there stunned. I had a million questions..... The main one (that I was too tongue tied to ask) was "What kind of advice do you have for a budding composer who really would like to work with pencil and paper only, but must adapt to a world that wants to know what your music sounds like before it is even recorded through things like mockups and such, requiring one to be more technologically savvy than focusing on composing?"

After I did leave, I kept wondering to myself if I was really better off having met him. There was really a lot I wanted to say, but couldn't. All in all, of course I am forever grateful for the opportunity. And after letting the time pass that was full of could'a would'a should'a thoughts, I can actually allow myself to say that yes I am definitely better off having met him, regardless of being a bumbling fool in front of him. I'll never forget it.

[Uni 307]

Personally, and I'll be honest, after today, I don't have anything more to say about LOTR until I have organized evidence to back up my claims (I'm not as closed-minded as some may think, and despite it coming across that way, trolling is not my intention).

Despite the assumptions of some others, I never got the sense that you were trying to cause dissension—you were just speaking your mind about the scores. You may not have done it as clearly as you might've, but we all have times when we're not understood as well as we'd like to be around here.

- Uni

[W. David Lichty 8]

Brand new here, I went with #1. It might get these out of some people's ways, if that is desired, and for myself, I wouldn't mind poking around some of them right now. Easier done if they're all in one spot. I imagine it can be undone? ...with those threads returned to the standard archive once the topic runs cold (which I realize shouldn't happen until 2016)?

[Jay 46,244]

Yes, when the theoretical subforum gets closed, all threads in it would pop back into General Discussion.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,388]

The thing is. Just because we have LOTR threads here, doesn't mean its the reason JW discussion has gotten less.

That had to do with the lack of output from the Maestro more then anything else.

Moving LOTR discussion to a separate forum wont create more JW talk.

[Uni 307]

The thing is. Just because we have LOTR threads here, doesn't mean its the reason JW discussion has gotten less.

That had to do with the lack of output from the Maestro more then anything else.

Moving LOTR discussion to a separate forum wont create more JW talk.

Boom. That's the heart of it right there. There's no question we're seeing less new material with each new year . . . and it's not like that's going to change. And let's face it: there's only so many times we can ask one another some variation on whether we prefer "Jim's New Life" over "Banning Back Home," or Seven Years In Tibet over Memoirs of a Geisha, or what have you. Broadening the range of allowed topics keeps people engaged, encourages more diverse discussion, and offers more opportunities for ideas on how to look at our favorite composer's work from a new perspective.

- Uni

[Quintus 6,499]

Which is why Ricard should bite the bullet and rename the site.

This is about survival!

[Brónach 1,330]

John Williams or death!

[Quintus 6,499]

It'll be both soon enough...

Not unless we adapt.

Don't be frightened, it's okay to be afraid.

[Brónach 1,330]

Don't be frightened, it's okay to be afraid.

Make up your mind!

[Quintus 6,499]

Lol, I can't even remember typing the first part :-/

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,388]

Which is why Ricard should bite the bullet and rename the site!

SCfan.nl!

[Jay 46,244]

I agree with what Steef and Uni said 8 and 7 posts above me

[Marian Schedenig 11,695]

Creating a subforum is too weird.

Agreed. Having a lot of Tolkien threads in the main forum just means that a lot of people here are also interested in Tolkien and that there's just not a lot of new JW stuff to discuss these days. Officially having a Tolkien sub forum on a JW board, on the other hand, is schizophrenic - what do they have to do with each other? We could just as well have a sub forum about ornithology.

[Brónach 1,330]

Creating a subforum is too weird.

Agreed. Having a lot of Tolkien threads in the main forum just means that a lot of people here are also interested in Tolkien and that there's just not a lot of new JW stuff to discuss these days. Officially having a Tolkien sub forum on a JW board, on the other hand, is schizophrenic - what do they have to do with each other? We could just as well have a sub forum about ornithology.

If they made one it would have to be only visible for members to not weird out visitors.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,388]

We could just as well have a sub forum about ornithology.

Were we all get bashed by Luke for no recognizing that a hoby and a falcon are two different types of bird? No thank you.

[BloodBoal 8,711]

Creating a subforum is too weird.

Agreed. Having a lot of Tolkien threads in the main forum just means that a lot of people here are also interested in Tolkien and that there's just not a lot of new JW stuff to discuss these days. Officially having a Tolkien sub forum on a JW board, on the other hand, is schizophrenic - what do they have to do with each other?

Tolkien and Williams both have/had grey hair, and like/liked trees. There, you have it.

Agreed. Having a lot of Tolkien threads in the main forum just means that a lot of people here are also interested in Tolkien and that there's just not a lot of new JW stuff to discuss these days. Officially having a Tolkien sub forum on a JW board, on the other hand, is schizophrenic - what do they have to do with each other?

If they made one it would have to be only visible for members to not weird out visitors.

I think visitors are already weird out when they read our posts anyway.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

On second thought, I want all LOTR conversation in one subforum. Just to watch GD die.

[BloodBoal 8,711]

Yes, that's most likely what would happen.

[Brónach 1,330]

Who's GD?

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

I hereby change my vote from "deal with it" to subforum.

I invite and encourage all people who want to watch General Discussion become a ghost town to do the same.

Click "Delete My Vote" and vote for the Subforum!

[BloodBoal 8,711]

Who's GD?

The guy known as "General Discussion".

[Ollie 1,375]

I'm with Blume, I changed my vote.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

We'll call it "The Great Experiment!"

[Uni 307]

The tally's getting close. Attorneys on both sides are swinging into action, preparing to charge voter fraud if they lose. . . .

We could just as well have a sub forum about ornithology.

Were we all get bashed by Luke for no recognizing that a hoby and a falcon are two different types of bird? No thank you.

We'd have no end of trolls berating parrots for plagiarism. . . .

- Uni

[Quintus 6,499]

Just carpet bomb GD and be done with it.

It'll be a cover-up, the LotR threads will meet the same fate as the infected inhabitants of Zaire at the beginning of Outbreak.

[Uni 307]

What the hell turned everyone against the GD board? And do you really think subbing all the subjects that come up around here is going to keep people from bringing up other topics within those subforums?

- Uni

[wanner251 18]

You can't fight in here; this is the War Room!!

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

What the hell turned everyone against the GD board? And do you really think subbing all the subjects that come up around here is going to keep people from bringing up other topics within those subforums?

- Uni

Look, the only way to prove that the sub-forum is an inefficient way to handle this problem, we have to have a sub-forum.

And then everyone will complain about how derelict General Discussion is, and then we'll go back to good ol' JWFan.

Until then, I say we move to a subforum.

[Uni 307]

Oooh, I see where yer gowin' with that. . . .

I don't know whether it's worth the time and effort just to prove a point. But it may turn out that way nonetheless: the score is now tied.

- Uni

[hornist 1,261]

The score is tied plus the 5 votes for "don't allow any new". Seems a sub-forum to me...

[Brónach 1,330]

I disagree!

[crocodile 9,724]

I still think it should be option 2.

It doesn't bother me so much there are so many Tolkien threads out there, personally. I really like Howard Shore's new score (not so much the film, which is mostly utter rubbish) and I can appreciate people's enthusiasm. But... sometimes I get lost in a discussion. Can't remember where I talked about this and that aspect of The Hobbit. It can get a little bit too confusing, really...

I don't want sub-forum for one simple reason - this forum has thematically nothing to do with Tolkien. No need to put it in a special place.

All I ask for is some reasonable moderation. When someone posts a thread dedicated to something that has already a thread, Jason usually moves this subject into its proper place. And I can understand his reasoning. Most composers have their own topics, there is a forum express thread to keep track of all that. Three threads (Tolkien, film and score) are enough for me. Those subjects should be treated the same way as everything else on this board.

Karol

[Marian Schedenig 11,695]

Just carpet bomb GD and be done with it.

I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[films 0]

This forum used to be good , but lately it has become a non williams forum , with repeated threads , stupid threads and full of pompous individuals . The FSM board is a lot more relaxed and balanced .

I love williams music but i feel this board does not give him credit .Its a Shame really as i used to enjoy popping on here. Anyone who seems to challenge anyone on here is called a Troll and is outside the clique .

[KK 3,313]

I love williams music but i feel this board does not give him credit .Its a Shame really as i used to enjoy popping on here. Anyone who seems to challenge anyone on here is called a Troll and is outside the clique .

Challenge? Uhmm, no. Everyone has been disagreeing and agreeing with each other in a rather stately manner. That's the nature of discussion.

But rabidly insult composers and their work for no apparent reason? Well, that's pretty troll-like behaviour.

And your little post my friend is such a blatantly obvious attempt at trying to add fuel to the fire (as was your previous post), that I find it laughable.

[Jay 46,244]

Thanks for all the responses so far. You know what's interesting is right now I am wondering if the best solution is to actually create a new forum for John Williams discussion, have that one be the first forum at the top of the list.... and leave General Discussion as is, and titled the same, just without the discussion of totally JW topics taking place here.

Thoughts?

[Brónach 1,330]

My first thought when I joined is that it was funny that all the discussion was in the same subforum. I wasn't used to this dinamic in forums.

[wanner251 18]

Has anyone noticed that with the creation of this thread (along with a bit of locking), already the LOTR threads have begun to subside a bit? Or am I completely wrong? Perhaps I have just been avoiding them, but I think it is due to this thread. There definitely hasn't been the creation of any new LOTR threads since this one started...

[Jay 46,244]

I've locked all new LOTR threads that started since shortly before this topic was created.

[wanner251 18]

Correct... I'm wondering if the message is just getting across as a result...

[KK 3,313]

What "message"? You're over-exaggerating. Most of those excessive posts were just people poking fun or trolling (with the occasional useless poll). You make it sound like the LotR fans are delinquents who need to be taught a lesson!

It was definitely a chance of a lifetime, but I must admit it was a bit embarrassing for me. I really was quite tongue-tied. I think that it had a lot to do with the fact that the idea of meeting him had worked out merely because I was sitting next to one of the San Diego Symphony's creative directors at dinner. It all happened so fast. Anyway, he had me find him after the concert, and then took me down to meet John Williams. There were quite a few people waiting to do so. I was one of the ones at the end of the line. I did manage to thank him for thoroughly enriching my life musically for the past 21 years (actually more than that, but I didn't realize it until 21 years ago). I told him that I had been so obsessed with "Journey to the Island" when I was 13, that I tried to transcribe it by ear, and that ever since then I had become a complete geek for film music, and especially for his. He was gracious, but didn't seem to interested because I was at the end of the line; I'm sure he was happy to be finished meeting people, and also tired after a 2-hour concert with 3 encores. He had some friends there, particularly Jahja Ling's family, so he quickly excused himself, wishing me luck. I managed to hang out in the room for a little while longer, and my mind was reeling so much that I just sort of stood there stunned. I had a million questions..... The main one (that I was too tongue tied to ask) was "What kind of advice do you have for a budding composer who really would like to work with pencil and paper only, but must adapt to a world that wants to know what your music sounds like before it is even recorded through things like mockups and such, requiring one to be more technologically savvy than focusing on composing?"

After I did leave, I kept wondering to myself if I was really better off having met him. There was really a lot I wanted to say, but couldn't. All in all, of course I am forever grateful for the opportunity. And after letting the time pass that was full of could'a would'a should'a thoughts, I can actually allow myself to say that yes I am definitely better off having met him, regardless of being a bumbling fool in front of him. I'll never forget it.

That's a great story, and what an experience it must have been! Honestly, I'm not sure I'd be capable of speech if I were in your situation. I'd probably just smile and quietly ask for a picture in a squeaky voice.

It takes great courage to able to face one of your heroes.

[wanner251 18]

Easy, KK. All I meant was that the message that is the topic of this thread may have already discouraged the issue that it means to solve, just by existing. I have no ill feelings toward members for their taste in music, nor do I mind if that taste is mentioned here. We are here because we all share that we love John Williams, but surely if that is the extent of our participation in this forum, how can we expect to interact and understand each other on a human level. The forum brings us together, but the diversity of content gives us a reason to understand each and every one of us. At least, that is why I came here, because I am interested in what other fans of John Williams think not only about him and his music, but about many other facets of the genre, but also life.

That's a great story, and what an experience it must have been! Honestly, I'm not sure I'd be capable of speech if I were in your situation. I'd probably just smile and quietly ask for a picture in a squeaky voice.

It takes great courage to able to face one of your heroes.

Thanks. I'm glad you liked the story. I wasn't going to share it because I am a bit embarrassed by it. Though I am thankful and will never forget it, I will still have this strange, haunting feeling hovering over me almost as though it never happened. It's odd really, difficult to explain.