Unwritten laws of fandom #17

[graculus]

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...

Comments

[cara-chapel.livejournal.com]

Miss you. Been thinking of you lately!

Er, um, I mean: Bugger, there she is, posting again. Never shuts up! *rolls eyes*

[cycnus39]

Me, I normally just sub onto lists, send an email reading:

YOU'RE ALL BASTARDS!!

Then unsub again.

I don't believe in furthering fandom stereotypes. ;-)

[mer1973.livejournal.com]

You're expecting people to self-aware, when they don't even have enough empathy to realize that not everyone likes the same thing?
You believe the best of people too, don't you?

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

It seems that folks who pop up and ask questions like that, are really asking, "Why don't you think the way *I* do? The way I see this something is the only *right* way. And besides, I only have an opinion about this nonissue, and can't be bothered to respond with a genuine opinion about the actual topic."

Only, they tend to do it rudely.

[xochiquetzl]

Initiator: There's no point in posting! My opinion isn't valued because I'm a B fan!

Xochiquetzl's Inner Voice: No, your opinion isn't valued because you're a shit-stirring passive-aggressive troll. Plzdikthxbi.

Moderator: God damn it, Xochi, that was your outside voice!

Xochiquetzl: Oops.