my sweetest downfall (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ohnoitsshirley) wrote2004-08-07 05:26 am
ohnoitsshirley) wrote2004-08-07 05:26 am
Fandom
I was going to do this after work, but I really feel the need to do it now. I don't really know why. I got the idea last night while I was trying to get to sleep, and I really want to do it.
So, I've been wondering a lot about fandom lately. Because it seems like for the past two weeks all fandom has been about is bashing and ranting and hating each other. Now I know that there is not one person on my friends page that got into fandom because they wanted to be hurt or wanted to hurt people. No one got into fandom just so they could call people stupid or be called stupid. We got into fandom because it's fun, and because we wanted to meet people with the same interests as us. Or something equally good like that. I think what everyone needs a reminder that that is what fandom is all about. I think anyway, that's what I need. Because I'm starting to forget that it was ever fun in the first place.
So if you're still paying attention (good job if you are), what I want is for every single person on my friends (yes all 140-something of you) to post a reminder about why fandom is good. It can be the first memory you have, the reason why you got into fandom, something about a friend you've made because of fandom. Anything that can remind me and yourself what it's all about and that it's never really been about which ship is better or which group of shippers is smarter. Because I know it can still be fun and not a crappy place.
Feel free to link others to this journal so they can come do the same. This is something I'm not friend locking, unless it gets out of hand. This wasn't my original plan, but I think it would do good, and hey. It might put a smile on your face to remember something that maybe you've forgotten.
I really want you guys to do this. No matter what fandom you are in. I think everyone needs a reminder of why we're here. Why we all collectively got together as a group and made fandom such a great place, and why it's silly for us to argue and bicker over things that don't really matter when really we should all just...have fun. Because hey, aren't we all just silly fangirls and fanboys at heart?
So, I've been wondering a lot about fandom lately. Because it seems like for the past two weeks all fandom has been about is bashing and ranting and hating each other. Now I know that there is not one person on my friends page that got into fandom because they wanted to be hurt or wanted to hurt people. No one got into fandom just so they could call people stupid or be called stupid. We got into fandom because it's fun, and because we wanted to meet people with the same interests as us. Or something equally good like that. I think what everyone needs a reminder that that is what fandom is all about. I think anyway, that's what I need. Because I'm starting to forget that it was ever fun in the first place.
So if you're still paying attention (good job if you are), what I want is for every single person on my friends (yes all 140-something of you) to post a reminder about why fandom is good. It can be the first memory you have, the reason why you got into fandom, something about a friend you've made because of fandom. Anything that can remind me and yourself what it's all about and that it's never really been about which ship is better or which group of shippers is smarter. Because I know it can still be fun and not a crappy place.
Feel free to link others to this journal so they can come do the same. This is something I'm not friend locking, unless it gets out of hand. This wasn't my original plan, but I think it would do good, and hey. It might put a smile on your face to remember something that maybe you've forgotten.
I really want you guys to do this. No matter what fandom you are in. I think everyone needs a reminder of why we're here. Why we all collectively got together as a group and made fandom such a great place, and why it's silly for us to argue and bicker over things that don't really matter when really we should all just...have fun. Because hey, aren't we all just silly fangirls and fanboys at heart?
no subject
The way I figured it, fandom is like life. There's a lot of bad stuff -- a lot of bad stuff -- but overall? It's worth it for the good.
Fandom is the place where you can squee like an idiot or complain like a bitch, and always finds someone else willing to squee or bitch with you. There's a large sense of community, it's something to belong to. It teaches the people involved that no matter how strange, or odd they think they are? There are at least a dozen people who think just like them.
It's a creative outlet. It's a way to let go of real life and immerse yourself in the lives of others for a bit. To write pretty stories, to make pretty fanart and icons, of these characters, and just... escape daily life. Everyone needs an escape.
It's where I met every single of my close friends. Without fandom, I wouldn't have met any of these amazing people.
I'm sad that in the last few weeks I've lost three friends, but even with that? I know there are dozens of other people who still like me and don't think I'm mean, or stupid, or evil. Even though I'm all three on occasion.
Fandom is friendship and escape for me, two things I need desperately.
Besides that? It's fun. I mean where else could I find people that are willing to have a long, involved chat on crickets making their own Buffy spoof?
The way I figure it, you have to take the bad with the good. Anywhere where there's a lot of people, with strong personalities as most fandom people have, there's going to be conflict. There's going to be drama. But that's not all fandom is.
no subject
The crickets ARE an important part of fandom in their own right! :D Yay for you bringing up the crickets!