the fandom scandal rant

[percival]

This is a post that was inspired by the current fandom scandal, in particular acemyth's posts.

Let me begin by stating my prejudices: I'm a Quiller, one of the GT mods is a good friend (waves to pinkfluffyllama), and I really liked stolensocks when I met her. I also like to study people and what makes them tick. Finally, I belong to an organisation that has brought much suffering to the world because of its dogmas - but I still believe that it has an inherently good core. (Answers on a postcard ...)

Now the rant:

Separatism and factionism are nothing new under the sun. It's riven even the best communities - there are plenty of examples in Buddhism and Christianity, even though the main teachers of those two religions were amazing, truly enlightened people.

Fortunately, we all seem to agree that harassment, stalking, and personal vendettas are Bad Things. People have apologised for what they did and explained that they did it to defend people who had been viciously attacked. People have made it clear that they felt deeply hurt by what others saw as just some snarky fun.

I guess the worst thing we could do now would be to entrench ourselves in sides - "holier-than-thou", "I wuz wronged (TM)", "what a terrible fandom", or, worst of all, "I or people from my fan site would never do this".

Well, the fandom consists of lots and lots of different people, from high-brow analysts to squeeing fan girls. There will be some of each on every site. There will also be some loons, and some people who don't have a clear sense of the boundaries of good taste. As Simon, the FA admin, said - you can't control the thousands (or tens of thousands) of people who visit your site.

But the fandom also consists of you, the HP fan who happens to be reading this entry. What about yourself? Can you forgive and move on? Can you behave responsibly, so that scandals like these won't occur again? It's our responsibility not just to moan about the state of this fandom, but to do something about it - by intelligent discussion and open and fair communication.

Because we are the fandom, we are the only people who can make sure it stays sane and tolerant and who can heal the rifts.

Don't dream it, be it.

::cue Hippie music::

::steps off soapbox::

Comments

[acemyth.livejournal.com]

"Because we are the fandom, we are the only people who can make sure it stays sane and tolerant and who can heal the rifts.

Don't dream it, be it."

Amen.

[piperx.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It is all about personal responsibility. And personal responsibility starts at home. I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately and trying to think of any small way I can foster good relations among the fandom.

Piper

P.S. Ugh, my shins. But it hurts so good!!

[themorningstarr.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry... I'm lost. What was the scandal? Did I miss it? Feel free to inform me privately if you don't want to drudge it up.

Kellie

[calanthe-b.livejournal.com]

I always feel very strange reading entries like this, because I never seem to hear about fandom scandals...I suppose being the local heretic has to be good for insulation, if nothing else! But this is very sane advice, anyway. I just wish people would follow it...

[themorningstarr.livejournal.com]

Well, while I'm not a heretic (unless worshipping Draco makes me one), I sort of keep to my own little corner of the fandom, and don't get out much. I rarely travel away from Quill spin-off sites. Okay... I barely stray from the Quill and my own site at all unless it's to visit the Leaky Cauldron (and then only when I've come across a link from one of my friends) or Mugglenet.com, which I have not been to in forever.

No wonder I'm so oblivious to everything. Of course... being a relative Newbie doesn't help either.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

Kellie and Calanthe, I hope both of you read this ... I'm posting this as a reply to Calanthe's comment.

So, a person from Fiction Alley was stalked. Her friends decided to get to the root of this crime and investigated Gryffindor Towe - which had nothing to do with said stalking.

So it was an overreaction to a crime which in turn led to much indignation chez the Harry/Ginny crowd at Gryffindor Tower.

I can understand both sides. And would like both to just shut up now, please :)

[ezziem.livejournal.com]

Just happened upon your livejournal. I have to agree with others here. I seem to be 'out of the loop' on the fandom scandals. I guess some people take it more seriously than I. But I would hope people can be reasonable and move on. HP and its fandom should be for fun, enjoyment and such. It shouldn't cause stress. Where is the fun in that?

[perceval.livejournal.com]

well, apparently someone from FictionAlley was stalked, and people decided to campaign against GryffindorTower, because they assumed GT had something to do with it. Which it hadn't.

You are so right, this is silly. Glad you stopped by!

(from a R/H shipper to a H/Hr shipper ;)

[owlman.livejournal.com]

As Simon, the FA admin, said - you can't control the thousands (or tens of thousands) of people who visit your site.

Nor do I wish to. I only (or really 'Only FA') want FA users to act in a mature way on the site (i.e. follow the rules we set) and remember that if they say anything offsite then they are never speaking for FA, which only a few of the site Admins will ever do.

Wishing to control large groups or people and getting them to think in one specific way only make me think of Big Brother and 1984. A rather good book, though scary in some ways. Especially when some of the ideas and themes in the book seem evident in the modern world.


Because we are the fandom, we are the only people who can make sure it stays sane and tolerant and who can heal the rifts.

Indeed and at the heart of it all is taking responsibilities for ones actions. It is possible, but involves starting at home; something that many are reluctant to do.

I do have periods where I am hopeful that things could be ok, but then something happens to shake that away. Tonight is one of those nights. I have seen one group of HP fandom people 'have decided to wage a sort of war on '. It saddens me to see such comments, but all too often I do.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your comment! :)

I guess the only way to make sure any fandom wars come to a speedy end is to refuse to be roped in.

I do have periods where I am hopeful that things could be ok, but then something happens to shake that away. Tonight is one of those nights.
I hope yesterday night wasn't too bad ::hugs::

[owlman.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the hugs, but they are unneeded. I am very much following the path outlined in your message. I will not be roped in to this.

Far too much to do and to little time to do it to even consider getting involved in this stupidity. Have to go reserve myself a copy of some book at some stage soon. The fifth book in a septology. You may have heard of it...

[perceval.livejournal.com]

Ah. Ron Weasley and the Kid With Glasses ;)

You know, I really like that minor character, what was her name, Hermione. The one with the straight shiny hair and the perfect teeth.