(no subject)

[scarfman]

The problem is, intractability is so common in fandom that enthusiasm is mistaken for intractability.

Comments

[dave-iii.livejournal.com]

'Enthusiasm' as in, passion for the topic admired? I would agree with you.. but I would also hasten to add than the problem described is not limited to the implied fandom of sci-fi, fantasy, comics, RPGs, etc; but also to sports, religion, politics, and pretty much ANY topic people are capable of being passionate about. No matter what the subject is, it inevitably breaks down into "We" and "They": WE are the righteous, THEY are the forsaken. WE are civilized, THEY are savages. WE are enlightened, THEY are ignorant. WE are right, THEY are wrong. Doesn't matter if it's world politics or a movie review.

Of course, trying to accept ALL opinions can lead to a madness of its own variety, so a line has to be drawn somewhere.

[scarfman]

That's my point, I think: there's a difference between enthusiasm and intractability.

[dave-iii.livejournal.com]

Very true. It's often one of the differentiating features between a nice fan and The Comic Shop Guy. Sadly it's the Comic Shop Guy who gets all the press: is there a media depiction of a nice fan anywhere?

[scarfman]

Hiro Nakamura?

[dave-iii.livejournal.com]

Only saw the first episode of Heroes, but yeah, he probably counts. ^_^

[antikythera.livejournal.com]

I think this is a little more subtle... people start assuming that others will have the us-vs.-them attitude. X gets defensive as soon as Y shows enthusiasm for something that is traditionally the 'opposite' of what X likes, even if Y was simply being joyful and not hostile or judgemental.

And yes, it's true whether we're talking about slash writers vs. het writers, omnivores vs. vegetarians, or Montreal Canadiens fans vs. Toronto Maple Leafs fans. People who are used to feeling picked on assume that they will always be picked on by members of that group.

Paul, if I'm misinterpreting, say so.

[scarfman]

That is what I was driving at.

[dave-iii.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think we said the same basic thing, I was just being more heavy handed. When you start thinking in terms of "We and They" then everyone who's not a We becomes a They. It can be hard to avoid, all people have moments when it's black and white-- it's normal and not always unfair.


On the other hand, people who are rabidly devoted to one point of view can be fun to tweak in occasion. ^_^

[alienfish.livejournal.com]

Well, dave_iii... obviously you're enthusiastic! Or quite possibly intractable.

*heheh*

[dave-iii.livejournal.com]

Only my hairstylist knows for sure. ^_^