Everybody's getting all kerfluffly in LOTR fandom, threatening to leave, saying "woe, woe, fandom is fucking crazy!" But you know, there's a very easy way to avoid the badness: let it go.
Hear me out. I see people on my friends page from all the different factions, disagreeing with each other, quoting this and that, making negative comments about each other's ancestry. Sure, every fandom needs a good flamewar once in a while just to keep things fresh, like controlled burns in the Redwoods. But you can't live your life in a perpetual flamewar. It's just too exhausting, even for the hardiest Datalounge advocate or fandom_wank member.
So what are people arguing about? They're annoyed because Group A believes in one thing, and Group B thinks Group A is wrong, and Group C thinks both groups are nuts for advocating their positions, and there's plenty of backup groups waiting to yell how they're right and everybody else is a freak. Really, it's ridiculous.
Forget the facts; there are no facts. All there is, really, is people stomping their feet that their opinions are the correct ones. What makes you so special that your opinion is better than anyone else's? That applies for everyone, across the board.
Maybe, when you run into people who you disagree with or have had troubles with, instead of reacting defensively (or offensively), you could just... be civil and agree to disagree. Holding that grudge since 2001? Let go of the grudge. If they say something that upsets you, or they say something mean about you, don't start volleying insults. Instead of getting upset, find something enjoyable to do and do that instead. Heck, you could even try non-aggressive conversation! You'd be amazed how nice people can be if you treat them with a little kindness instead of condescension. And if they don't return the favor, then just end the conversation politely and let it lie.
You are the only person who controls your enjoyment. You can choose to be sensitive to every slight and irritation, or you can choose to grow some skin and ignore that which bothers you. People will always, always rub each other the wrong way at some point. You just have to deal with it like a mature member of society.
I don't know about you guys, but I'm in this fandom for the fun, and on the whole, I'm having a great time. I love the movies, the books, the fan fiction, the characters, the actors, the photo spam. The people here are great, despite the troubles I've had with certain parties. I choose to take the good over the bad and do my part to make the fandom a nicer place to be. How about you?
|
Page Summary
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} xochiquetzl :: (no subject) [+1] ex_verdandi713 :: (no subject) [+6]
Links
RSS
LiveJournal
My Stuff
Ficathons
|
Now, now.
 2003-03-31 09:59 pm (UTC)Hear me, oh LOTR people! Don't turn into Stargate SG-1! Ha! No, LOTR isn't nearly at the tuna stage like Stargate fandom. It's just an out-of-hand, long-running kerfluffle, as opposed to a rotted-from-within all-out collapse. Mostly I agree. And mostly, that's what I try to do. Well, I don't know what you're talking about, but if I were to hazard a guess--*another* DomLijah fight? Jesus Christ, believe whatever makes you happy and somebody just give me some Cate/Liv and make *me* happy. Peace and harmony. *throws flowers, ogles Sarah McLeod* It's Datalounge, yeah. They've been bashing Sean A as part of their delusionary Domlijah saga, and a bunch of pro-Sean A people got upset and started campaigning to Stop The Hate, and then the Domlijah people started saying they were insulting their precious pairing, and it goes on from there. I watch from the comfort of my friends list. Re:
They've already scared off a whole boatload of people, actually. *raises hand* I have a few stories in mind, but I can write those on my own. What's the point of participating any further and putting up with this kind of crap? Maybe I'm just a natural ostrich and all, but I never really understood the problem people have with fandoms. I mean, I'm only in fandom for two reasons: one, I get to see people squee and analyze and post fics/media; and two, I get to squee and analyze and make websites/media with an audience. I mean, what else is there? Where's the conflict? I can count the fannish people who I never want to deal with again on one hand; everybody else I get along with just fine. Why do other people have so much trouble with it? Re:
I suspect it's because certain very unflattering stereotypes about the sort of person who tends to become a media fan are actually, oftentimes, very true, but I'll leave it there before anyone starts thinking I'm talking about them. See, I'm only in it for the audience for my fic. Which means I'm stuck with Stargate, because Stargate is the show that inspires me to write. but it's actually starting to scare people off of LOTR/Lotrips fandoms, Too true. What boggles me is the whole LOTR RPS thing. I mean I've seen bashings of certain actors and some other fans just because their idea or concept on who is paired up with who and why doesn't jibe with what they think or believe is true. |