This might sound a little harsh, but let me explain why that's not
a good idea:
One thing I've noticed over the years is that the members of the
fandom (especially those who have likely joined within the past 6
years or so) seem far, far too emotionally sensitive. I don't know
whether this is due to social inabilities or what, but it sure seems
that way.
A lot of these folks hear something not even directed at them, but
referring to the fandom in a negative manner, and they go ballistic,
screaming and crying and writing about it in their Livejournals or
whatever. All this accomplishes is adding more fuel to the fire
which the attacker started.
Now, it's different if someone comes up to you and makes
derogatory comments to you. Then you have the right to get upset,
because that person is directing their venom to you, and you alone.
Somebody calls you an asshole? You got the right to snap back at
them, and, if need be, engage in physical violence.
But getting jacked out of shape because someone writes am article
ridiculing one aspect of the fandom is hardly grounds for getting
upset. Because I'll tell you, this fandom has gotten a lot weirder
since I first started, and not necessarily in a good way. The more
unusual it gets, the more likely it is people will make fun of it.
I'll use a personal view as an example. I like motorcycles. I
have two of them, and they are both Hondas. I prefer Japanese bikes
over American because I feel they offer more performance, better
handling, and more variety than Harley or the few other American
bikes out there. Now, this is merely my opinion (although they do
offer more variety). Would I like a Harley? No. And I won't say
they suck. But some of the really hardcore Harley riders suck.
They honestly believe if you ride any bike other than a Harley, no
matter how much better it actually is, they'll still say your bike
is a piece of shit.
Personally, a bike is a bike is a bike, as far as I'm concerned.
If you like what you ride, then I'm totally cool with it. If
someone tells me that Hondas suck ass, would I get upset? No.
That's just their opinion, and they are entitled to it, just as I am
to mine. But if they said my bike, in particular, sucks ass, then
I'm going to retaliate. See the difference? A general insult
should be ignored, but a direct one, one meant specifically for you
and you alone, should be challenged.
Just my view on this situation. Trying to start trouble because
of a mass-produced article is neither worth your time nor your
energy. Who the fuck cares what anyone else thinks?
--JMH
--- In SkunkworksAMA_at_yahoogroups.com, "sqig311" <Guslange@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Christopher Scott Lange here Stuff Magazine which I
subscribe to
> said something that made me feel bad,I have a friend that is a Fur
> Suiter so this really hurts "Mascot or Furry?" here is what they
dare
> say to our Fandom! "is it an ambassador for your favorite college
team
> or a weirdo with a freaky hobby?You be the Judge" and they make
fun of
> three furs.Lets show them what they consider weirdos or people
with
> people with Freaky hobbies can do!
>
> Sincerely
> Christopher Scott Lange
>
Received on Wed Aug 23 2006 - 05:51:38 CDT