A word from this fangirl.
Jan. 13th, 2004 02:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
logansrogueRecently a pal of mine was fandom_wanked. Now... I take f_w about as seriously as I take an episode of Neighbours (as in, not at all), but the thought of a bunch of people that barely know this woman, ragging on her in this community thing to make themselves feel better really makes me feel sick. But I know this woman just a little bit, (only a little bit, sadly), and she's of the kind of calibre that she doesn't let a good criticism get to her. Not good well-constructed criticism anyway.
I went over and had a look and well - it was pretty damned disgusting. I saw a lot of people trying to be funny and really not being funny at all. In fact it kinda reminded me of high school, and reminded me why I am so hesitant to ever get into fandom ever ever again.
I do things for HP, but not for 'masses', not for 'fans'. I do it for people that like Harry Potter too. I do my pictures, my stories, and I share them with friends. If lots of people like my stuff, I'm really incredibly delighted. I mean, I crack a shit of delight over sixty feedbacks. I do! I mean, CC gets that for reporting in her journal that she had a nutty turd. (God bless her soul, and I have nothing but good will towards her personally, but do not get me started on her actual work).
Anyway, I've swayed off topic. My point being - I don't care if a bunch of people on a journal I never go on get angry at me or say bad things about me. I'm not for Big Name status around here, and the people that like my work won't let f_w get in the way of a good fic read (especially where Harry has a winky instead of a winkle). What I do care about is that there are people I respect in this world, and when I respect people, I place a certain amount of loyalty to them. It's the kind of person I am.
Nobody will really see this, (I mean, I'm no one), but for those of my friends that do frequent f_w, let me just say this so you know where I stand on the subject. It's just something I want to say publicly. Maybe it's the shot of kahlua talking (I can't sleep), or maybe my over-sentimental Gryffindor heart.
On fandom issues, on issues of the stories, there are a lot of ways that me and Malfoypatriarch disagree. But we agree on the important things, and when it comes down to it, she's a good person. A lot of the things she says about fandom_wank are right. And I agree with her. Now, I haven't spoken to the little_needle person this blew up over, and I may or may not have the pleasure of getting to know them. But I won't hold any judgement till I speak to them myself. That's called manners.
Anyway, I stand by malfoypatriarch. This post was written for her. Perhaps she'll feel incredibly embarrassed by this show of sentimentality, but I sure as shit feel better for getting it out of my fucking system. Again, maybe it's the Kahlua talking.
One thing that I want every one of my friends to think about is this: There's something the pagans call the law of three. It goes like this - whatever you do in this world, it'll come back to your threefold. If you give to people, fate will give to you and you'll be abundant. If you hurt and take, then life will hurt and take away from you. Now, this sort of thing doesn't seem to apply to ALL people, but it certainly applies to me.
This fandom is what we make of it. It's like life. If you spew nothing into it but vitriol, snark and bitchiness, then that is what our fandom will be, and that's not fun at all. All you'll recieve is the same, and you'll be unhappy. I don't know if people forget that there are human beings with feelings and hearts on the other side of their computers or not, but they certainly act like their behaviour has no consequence, and then act surprised when they get the consequence that they had coming to them. I think it'd be good if people aimed to put good things out into the fandom rather than negativity.
Of course I know that it's only fandom, fandom is fucking funny, etc. Well, I was into Xena in a big way once upon a time. And I went to cons. I saw other fans in real life. That's a step in fandom. The attitudes and thought processes you gain in fandom *DO* leak into real life. It can make you unhappy in real life, and I know for a while there it got pretty bad for me, so I got right out of it.
I'm still out of it, I never really got back into it. I don't go on boards, I don't go into communities in a big way, even though I made and host one. I know fandom doesn't change, and if I'm going to put up with bitchiness, snarkiness, popularity struggles and thankless hard work, it'll be in the music industry.
Anyway, that's just my opinion on it all. For everyone on my list I'm probably preaching to the converted, but for the few that do follow f_w, keep it in mind. Love you all! Remember - An' it harm none, do as ye will!
I went over and had a look and well - it was pretty damned disgusting. I saw a lot of people trying to be funny and really not being funny at all. In fact it kinda reminded me of high school, and reminded me why I am so hesitant to ever get into fandom ever ever again.
I do things for HP, but not for 'masses', not for 'fans'. I do it for people that like Harry Potter too. I do my pictures, my stories, and I share them with friends. If lots of people like my stuff, I'm really incredibly delighted. I mean, I crack a shit of delight over sixty feedbacks. I do! I mean, CC gets that for reporting in her journal that she had a nutty turd. (God bless her soul, and I have nothing but good will towards her personally, but do not get me started on her actual work).
Anyway, I've swayed off topic. My point being - I don't care if a bunch of people on a journal I never go on get angry at me or say bad things about me. I'm not for Big Name status around here, and the people that like my work won't let f_w get in the way of a good fic read (especially where Harry has a winky instead of a winkle). What I do care about is that there are people I respect in this world, and when I respect people, I place a certain amount of loyalty to them. It's the kind of person I am.
Nobody will really see this, (I mean, I'm no one), but for those of my friends that do frequent f_w, let me just say this so you know where I stand on the subject. It's just something I want to say publicly. Maybe it's the shot of kahlua talking (I can't sleep), or maybe my over-sentimental Gryffindor heart.
On fandom issues, on issues of the stories, there are a lot of ways that me and Malfoypatriarch disagree. But we agree on the important things, and when it comes down to it, she's a good person. A lot of the things she says about fandom_wank are right. And I agree with her. Now, I haven't spoken to the little_needle person this blew up over, and I may or may not have the pleasure of getting to know them. But I won't hold any judgement till I speak to them myself. That's called manners.
Anyway, I stand by malfoypatriarch. This post was written for her. Perhaps she'll feel incredibly embarrassed by this show of sentimentality, but I sure as shit feel better for getting it out of my fucking system. Again, maybe it's the Kahlua talking.
One thing that I want every one of my friends to think about is this: There's something the pagans call the law of three. It goes like this - whatever you do in this world, it'll come back to your threefold. If you give to people, fate will give to you and you'll be abundant. If you hurt and take, then life will hurt and take away from you. Now, this sort of thing doesn't seem to apply to ALL people, but it certainly applies to me.
This fandom is what we make of it. It's like life. If you spew nothing into it but vitriol, snark and bitchiness, then that is what our fandom will be, and that's not fun at all. All you'll recieve is the same, and you'll be unhappy. I don't know if people forget that there are human beings with feelings and hearts on the other side of their computers or not, but they certainly act like their behaviour has no consequence, and then act surprised when they get the consequence that they had coming to them. I think it'd be good if people aimed to put good things out into the fandom rather than negativity.
Of course I know that it's only fandom, fandom is fucking funny, etc. Well, I was into Xena in a big way once upon a time. And I went to cons. I saw other fans in real life. That's a step in fandom. The attitudes and thought processes you gain in fandom *DO* leak into real life. It can make you unhappy in real life, and I know for a while there it got pretty bad for me, so I got right out of it.
I'm still out of it, I never really got back into it. I don't go on boards, I don't go into communities in a big way, even though I made and host one. I know fandom doesn't change, and if I'm going to put up with bitchiness, snarkiness, popularity struggles and thankless hard work, it'll be in the music industry.
Anyway, that's just my opinion on it all. For everyone on my list I'm probably preaching to the converted, but for the few that do follow f_w, keep it in mind. Love you all! Remember - An' it harm none, do as ye will!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-12 10:30 am (UTC)I just couldn't agree more... I once committed all my time working an writing for the X-Files-Fandom. I was in there for nearly four years, and I would NEVER EVER do it again. I experienced too much envy, distrust, blackmailing messages... All I know is that I don't want to become famous. People, being fan(atic)s, ruin all the fun you have. At least they CAN do.
It's a shame that there are so many people out there not caring for individuals. People not knowing what words like "manners" or "respect" actually mean.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-12 10:36 am (UTC)*hugs* I'm glad you're hanging around, you're nice :)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-12 11:05 am (UTC)Even if it's just me being a good person, it can do good. But hell, you don't have to be famous. Just being a regular person and being nice to those around you has a ripple effect, and encourages others to do the same.
Wise words, very wise words indeed...! I just wish more people would think that way.
*hugs back* Thank you very much. *blushes slightly*
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-12 10:54 am (UTC)*pets*
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-12 10:58 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-12 11:26 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-12 11:33 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-12 12:43 pm (UTC)Frankly, it'd be nice if they'd shut up unless it's actually wanky...or they're actually being funny, which is most often not the case. In fact, most of the time, it's just bad taste.
To be honest, I use it as a guide to trolls...which I then mock relentlessly. But their HP stuff? Not wanky.