UPDATED: Public Square Gone Wild

As I search through the CBM Public Square and see the worst of the worst people on this site, I find that there are many people in here that aren't bad at all. In most cases, they are being reported on simply for having opinions, stating their feelings, or giving a bold comments.

Admittedly as I write this Grif is on top, he is an acquired taste, but his most reported comment? “thor fighting hulk in the woods?” is neither worthy of report or even slightly incendiary.

There are too many CBM’ers using this feature incorrectly as a "like or dislike" button, or purposely using it to get someone they don't like in trouble.

While the oversight on this feature is good, with reports being looked at and judged as appropriate, people need to remember what this is really for. The side panel shows what each troll badge means, but some people don’t get it.

People just need to calm down and realize that people are going to say things they may not like, may hate a movie you really love, or are just a little crazy and might say something off the wall. If you’re reporting people all the time you’re the one with the problem.

So, cool it with the senseless reporting. While the rules state people who abuse this will be disabled, let’s step it up a little give badges for offenders that are even more prominent than others a “TATTLE-TALE BADGE” if you will or just simply disable them, but do it a little quicker. I’ve heard a lot of people talking about the nonsense reporting and these are just some of my thoughts. I love CBM, but some people need to hold their horses. This site is growing by leaps and bounds (See the Cowboys and Aliens interviews, we got our own freaking microphone for pete’s sake) and it’s the people who abuse the reports that make it look bad, just grow up.

GALACTUS's Comment -- AMEN brutha! Thank you for calling attention to an ongoing problem with the system. I was going to write an article like this, but instead I'll just comment on yours.

First of all, the abuse system works well. It has enabled me, a single person, to identify the TRUE trolls on this LARGE site that like to cause problems, so I can ban their asses immediately--which I've done to about 15 trolls since introducing it. And it also keeps me constantly aware of the "somewhat iffy" members that I need to keep an eye on.

And yes, there are many people who do NOT deserve to be in there because SOME users are not using the reporting feature correctly--as described so eloquently above. Let me tell you what I do daily to combat that... I check the hall of shame and clear out all the false reporting at least 3-4 times a day and record the names of those who are abusing it. Then, if I can tell someone is doing it maliciously, I BAN THEIR ASS. But if it looks like they are just being a bit sensitive, I'll send them an email asking them to stop.

It's a huge hassle right now, but I figure EVENTUALLY everyone will get used to it and do it right, OR I'll have disabled everyone who is being jerk or can't figure it out. We don't want those weenies on our site anyway, right? So spread the word around. Galactus is disabling those who misuse the "report abuse" system.

And to those who have been helping us keep track of the TRUE trolls. Thanks! Keep it up! The abuse system works better than we could've hoped for. Check it out here: CBM Public Square and Hall of Shame

Galactus has spoken!