Lunchtime Posty Thing

[tree_talking]

Things with Dad's lack-of-will proceed apace. Which is to say, slow as molasses running uphill at this time of year. *sigh*

The Tarot reading classes are really awesome! I did a practice reading (my first!) the other day and even though I still had to use my notes on meanings, I was still able to open up to my intuitive side and give a halfway decent reading. I guess with some things you just have to jump in with both feet!

I am still writing every day, though I have not posted anything yet this year. This needs to change soon. I have a few feelings about fandom (not specifically Homestuck, but it's my main fandom these days) in general.

I've seen some pretty nasty things go on, not just lately, but in every fandom I've been involved in or witnessed or just heard of. I just wonder what makes some people act so nastily to each other. I wonder about people who will go on anon-commenting and tell someone who has been talking about suicide to "just end it all already".

I wonder about shippers. I mean, I consider myself a shipper but what makes people get so up in arms over it? I mean, you're shipping fictional characters (or real people used as fictional characters)! Why does it have to be something to argue over to the point of threats and serious meanness?

It might have something to do with the age of the participants, I suppose, but I don't really take that as much of an excuse to just not be civil. I really do try to treat anyone I comment to online as if they are sitting right in front of me (ok, with a little more bravery, since in Real Life [tm] I am kind of awkward).

I know meanness happens outside of fandom, but I just...wonder at it on the inside. Because this is something we do for fun, so why can't we just...let it be fun?

Related Tumblr thoughts:

Tumblr, to be honest, is a really lousy platform for fandom. It's hard to have a decent discussion without clogging up the dashboard--and to follow a discussion you are not necessarily a part of is annoying as hell. It's great for sharing art and pictures...but not so great for anything else. I enjoy Tumblr simply because of the visuals, but I am not fond of the Tumblr "social justice" memes, and definitely not a fan of how difficult it is to get to know people on there or have a conversation!

That said, I have been considering making some sort of blog/Tumblr called "Miss Shelle's guide to Fandom Manners" or something. Knowing me, it would never get off the ground, though.

Comments

[in-the-blue.livejournal.com]

Fandom is a ridiculously ugly place, and I don't care which fandom it is. People are mean, rude, hurtful, and oh, did I mention obnoxious? They get rabid about their preferences and don't give a fuck-all to anyone else, and get incredibly hateful toward people who don't sail their same ships. It's a rat-hole, and just when we think we've found a group of people in fandom who are sane and rational, some other asshole proves us wrong. I wish it could be all about discussing the things we love, but sadly it's not like that any more. Especially on a forum like tumblr where there really aren't faces or personalities associated with the names. I'm really growing to despise tumblr just because it's all about the quick and superficial rather than the intelligent and thoughtful. It's the ADHD of social networking platforms -- impossible to follow -- and it makes it really easy for people to steal things and present them as their own. I know people say it's half twitter and half blog, but I don't even think it's that. I think it's today's quick-fix, today's gauge of popularity, and it's definitely not a place to go to be thoughtful about much of anything.

(P.S. Woohoo, tumblr, FAN MAIL. Really?)

[shellebelle93.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's really too bad fandom has to be that way. I tend to follow really nice people on tumblr so honestly, it's usually not too bad, but man. Sometimes you just wonder what the hell!

Tumblr is such a wonky platform. I know some people have made a home there but man...yeah, I'm going to stick to the LJ/DW combo that I've got going on now for anything serious.

Though I'm still considering that tumblr...

[h311ybean]

Just wanted to say that I agree with G's comments about fandom - people have a hard time seeing straight when they're emotionally invested in something, and the regulars are always invested in any fandom.

[h311ybean]

Yay for Tarot classes and writing, and at least some progress is being made in sorting out your dad's estate?

I also just wanted to say that I've been thinking about you this week. I joined a Glee RPG (playing Puck again) and it's my first time joining a game totally on my own, where I didn't know anyone, so I'm trying to settle in but at the same time can't help remembering the previous games and the awesome people who were in there with me *hugs*