Did not know where to Ask: Other Tolkien Forums

[Inziladun]

I doubt I can put it better than Mithadan, but....

This is the only Tolkien forum (or any forum) that I post on. Really, and especially all those years ago when I found this place, being an active part of such a community was contrary to my generally private, quiet nature. I found the Downs when it was part of the EZ Board family. I think there was one other Tolkien site I joined at the same time, but the fact that I can't recall the name indicates its importance to me now.

I was highly impressed by the breadth of Tolkien knowledge on rampant display here, not to mention the general civility of tone that was rigidly enforced, and was hooked from the start. I never had any desire to visit other Tolkien forums later, even when the movie-hype reached its zenith, and I found myself in the decided minority opposed to the movies.

Today, when the number of forums is fewer, I feel even less need to shop around.

[Mithalwen]

Yes, this was the only one that suited me. And I know I have been treeish but until the last ailment ridden and bookless year I have been fairly constant. I dabbled a bit at the Plaza but only made one post that was acknowledged. I may have been unlucky but it seemed dominated by a couple of strong personalities who seemed to regard others' posts in two categories: - correct but unoriginal (ie they had already said it in such a thread whenever , - just plain wrong. I didn't last long.

So welcome. And I hope you fine a little to interest you here. I may even go and start a thread.

[Marwhini]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Yes, this was the only one that suited me. And I know I have been treeish but until the last ailment ridden and bookless year I have been fairly constant. I dabbled a bit at the Plaza but only made one post that was acknowledged. I may have been unlucky but it seemed dominated by a couple of strong personalities who seemed to regard others' posts in two categories: - correct but unoriginal (ie they had already said it in such a thread whenever , - just plain wrong. I didn't last long.

So welcome. And I hope you fine a little to interest you here. I may even go and start a thread.

I have noticed that about the Plaza as well. There seems to be one character who has a rather significant bias that he pushes against all evidence to the contrary.

I noticed he was denigrating other members for trying to explain the various characters, objects, or events in Middle-earth in some Operational fashion by constantly denigrating Tolkien's work itself as "Just Fiction" or "It's MAGIC" (as if that is an explanation).

He seems to not understand at all Tolkien's motivations or beliefs involved in the building of Middle-earth.

And the "evidence" he usually offers to support his opinions aren't from either Primary or Secondary Sources (Tolkien directly, or The History of Middle-earth), or even from Tertiary Sources of Tolkien Experts and Authorities.... But rather from a lot of Fan-Fic Blogs with hair-brained conspiracy theories regarding Middle-earth.

I see a few reasonable, and rather dedicated fans and scholars of Tolkien there.... But the couple of dominant personalities, coupled with the "point" system, and the "Experts" forum tends to create a poorly-considered dynamic where some people dominate the Forum at the expense of valid or sound opinions of others.

MB

[Mithadan]

I have noticed that about the Plaza as well. There seems to be one character who has a rather significant bias that he pushes against all evidence to the contrary.

I have not visited the Plaza. But the first message board that I joined, about a year or two before the Downs came to be, was very similar. I made a series of posts that were entirely ignored or summarily dismissed. There were a handful of posters, including the board's moderator, who dominated all conversation. I then went looking for a more friendly, open-minded board...

[Marwhini]

The Plaza has more than a few Tolkien "Fan-fic Girls" in it.

I tend to be leery of Tolkien "Fan-Fic" as I have only seen two that were at all readable.

I will admit that I am an insufferable snob when it comes to Tolkien. I think the canon is sacrosanct, and that ultimately anything written to "fill in holes" needs to abide by a Metaphysical system that is at least coherent (although that presents huge problems, as few people even have that cross their minds when thinking of Tolkien).

But it's literally all I can think about now with Tolkien:

How did Middle-earth WORK?

And I have found that to be a Blasphemy to many Tolkien fans, who seem to want to ignore the very words in HoM-e that I seem to hear the loudest.

MB

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I doubt I can put it better than Mithadan, but....

This is the only Tolkien forum (or any forum) that I post on. Really, and especially all those years ago when I found this place, being an active part of such a community was contrary to my generally private, quiet nature. I found the Downs when it was part of the EZ Board family. I think there was one other Tolkien site I joined at the same time, but the fact that I can't recall the name indicates its importance to me now.

I was highly impressed by the breadth of Tolkien knowledge on rampant display here, not to mention the general civility of tone that was rigidly enforced, and was hooked from the start. I never had any desire to visit other Tolkien forums later, even when the movie-hype reached its zenith, and I found myself in the decided minority opposed to the movies.

Today, when the number of forums is fewer, I feel even less need to shop around.

I would tend to agree with you. The MEO forums (prior to Turbine changing MEO to LOTRO and bastardizing the game into a WoWish clone) were vibrant and a lot of fun. I even moderated the Roleplaying Forum there for a considerable amount of time. Once the developers jettisoned anything that approached canonicity and decided to Jacksonize Middle-earth Online and transmogrified it into Lord of the Rings Online (as you can see, even the title was a none too subtle change to take advantage of the movies), I came here in 2007. I do not regret the move one jot or tittle.

I keep a foot in the door at TheOneRing.net and post in the Reading Room occassionally, where there are some really good textual read-throughs and accompanying commentary, but outside that, the interest there is more in the way Thorin's coal black hair glistens and his fiery eyes cast derision with a sizzling glare. One expects the discussion to turn to beribboned pink ponies at any moment.

[Marwhini]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

. . . the interest there is more in the way Thorin's coal black hair glistens and his fiery eyes cast derision with a sizzling glare. One expects the discussion to turn to beribboned pink ponies at any moment.

EEEEWWWWWWW!!!!



MB