Do they really understand ?

They will never understand the passion for movies which is why we like the boards

Just pick something he really loves and ask him how it'd feel to suddenly have his capacity to talk about that in an in depth way ripped from him.

I can understand that someone isn't as into movies and shows as I am and has no interest in getting into the nitty gritty of them, but I'd also hope no one judges me for looking for folks who do and for having an outlet for something I love.

I'm also just used to this being "my thing," in terms of the people around me so maybe it doesn't faze me so much anymore. We're all made up of different tastes and sensibilities and I don't see what's wrong with seeking that out in a totally un-harmful way. In my opinion they don't have to understand, but I don't see why one couldn't at least accept it.

Probably not, unless they had similar experiences, such as losing a community they loved or having a game shut down on them.

Not likely. I haven't bothered to tell my family and friends, because I know they won't get it.

IMDb didn't appear to understand. Those who don't frequent the online world will just think we're screen geeks. And loved ones will just pretend to understand, vacantly nod their heads, and resume their other worldly endeavours.

I quite like that we all share this implicit interest. It's like a magical, secret garden that only those seeking it would find.

They do not understand the importance of them. I have NOT gone to IMDb since I deleted my account. Sometimes, I forget and am about to log in over there, but I stop and resist.

All my friend's use IMDb. I'm the only one who uses the messageboards. I tell them all the time that they are the only thing that matters on IMDb but they still never used them. These friend's don't care that the boards are gone.

People find it hard to fully empathise with things they aren't passionate about.

Find something they're passionate about and try a 'what if' scenario (like another poster suggested) and see what happens.

You've also got people who aren't really fired up about anything in particular, and that makes it very difficult indeed.