Unwritten laws of fandom #17

In every forum, mailing list or other place where people gather online, there must be a regular retread of the following:

Initiator: Why are you always talking about A rather than B? Why are you so mean to character C in this episode? Why do you hate character D so much, it's because you're jealous of her, isn't it? You're all so negative, you bunch of meanieheads and haters, you'll make tptb cry! [delete as appropriate]

Response: Well, why don't you talk about B? Or tell us what you thought of that episode? Or even tell us why you like character D and why we're wrong so wrong (preferably without resorting to namecalling, please)? [delete as appropriate]

*pause to watch the tumbleweed blow past in the echoing silence*

Rinse and repeat ad nauseam.



You'd think the pattern was obvious to everyone by now, but I guess there are always new people coming into fandom...