And the obverse. There is no fan subject immune to obsessives who assume they can neutralize the slightest bit of criticism, no matter how constructive, by repeatedly whining “Well, _I_ like it!”
I would say it is not a zero sum culture but rather a negative sum culture, a game of cultural musical chairs where every round there are fewer cultural resources to go around. If you do not actively attack rivals of your favorite thing in force, your favorite thing may soon cease to exist. I think material economic decline due to resource depletion is a major contributor to both this and other negative-sum, eat-or-be-eaten aspects of our present condition. I would not be surprised to see a movement of outright barbarism and anti-art sentiment among the losers of the cultural and economic game of last-man-standing now playing out across the world, escalating to terrorism and vandalism.
I love both fiercely enjoying and hating things, sometimes simultaneously, and anyone who has a problem with it can remember that I do not think about them, ever, at all <3
This has sadly become so relevant with the online space. One example I thought of immediately was the Mortal Kombat fandom. A lot of the people (especially on Twitter/X) can't admit that recent games in the series have just... well, flopped. Obviously there's good and bad with everything, but it's concerning when people become so blind that they deny obvious issues. Great read!
In Jane Austen circles, you can't voice the obvious fact that the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is superior to the 2005 without getting shouted at "let people enjoy things!" "Stop gatekeeping!" Come up with real arguments and let's have a discussion.
It's also rarely "let people enjoy things."
More like, "let people enjoy my things, but everything else is open for criticism, especially by me."
10000%
and often not mentioned is that people have to enjoy your things *the right way* and for *the right reasons*! Otherwise you're also open for heckling.
And the obverse. There is no fan subject immune to obsessives who assume they can neutralize the slightest bit of criticism, no matter how constructive, by repeatedly whining “Well, _I_ like it!”
I would say it is not a zero sum culture but rather a negative sum culture, a game of cultural musical chairs where every round there are fewer cultural resources to go around. If you do not actively attack rivals of your favorite thing in force, your favorite thing may soon cease to exist. I think material economic decline due to resource depletion is a major contributor to both this and other negative-sum, eat-or-be-eaten aspects of our present condition. I would not be surprised to see a movement of outright barbarism and anti-art sentiment among the losers of the cultural and economic game of last-man-standing now playing out across the world, escalating to terrorism and vandalism.
Yes, excellent point.
And here I was alarmed at the increased "trucker protests" that are becoming the norm in Korea...
Generational change, I think. The Three Laws of Fandom is extremely Gen-X feeling to me.
I love both fiercely enjoying and hating things, sometimes simultaneously, and anyone who has a problem with it can remember that I do not think about them, ever, at all <3
Big Don Draper vibes and exactly what I aspire to!
This has sadly become so relevant with the online space. One example I thought of immediately was the Mortal Kombat fandom. A lot of the people (especially on Twitter/X) can't admit that recent games in the series have just... well, flopped. Obviously there's good and bad with everything, but it's concerning when people become so blind that they deny obvious issues. Great read!
I am also a non-fan of "don't yuck somebody else's yum" and am grateful not to have heard it in at least a few years.
Preach it 🙌
In Jane Austen circles, you can't voice the obvious fact that the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is superior to the 2005 without getting shouted at "let people enjoy things!" "Stop gatekeeping!" Come up with real arguments and let's have a discussion.