anogete: (fangirl attack)
anogete ([personal profile] anogete) wrote2008-05-29 10:55 am
Entry tags:

Answer Me This, Flist

I have a question for you, flist.

I was involved in an LJ discussion in a community yesterday, and the crux of it was finding humor through making fun of badly written or executed books/movies/programs/etc. When was was in high school, I was friends with people who spent all of their time making fun of the world - the people, the school we went to, the classwork, the city, everything. They never wanted to discuss real interests with me, nor did they seem to have a true passion for anything. By the time I was a senior, I had cut ties with all of my friends for this reason. I thought I was better off on my own than with people who were so mean, who spent their time making fun of things to make themselves feel better about their empty lives.

Now, let me say that I don't think that everyone who makes fun of something is doing it in a negative way, nor do I think they are all doing it for self defense purposes. Sometimes it is just simply finding humor in a situation. However...

I have never read a book or fanfiction, watched a movie or television program, or gone to a social function with the sole purpose of gathering information so I could make fun of it, be it in my head or to others in person or on the internet. There are so many wonderful things in this world that will entertain and/or touch me. Why would I spend my valuable time on something that I intend to viciously poke fun at? If it's bad, then I don't read it or watch it. Why would I? Humor can be found in so many other things. It doesn't make sense to spend my time being mean. And making fun of something that you consider to be sub par or not measuring up to your high standards is being mean, especially when that something wasn't intended to be bad in the first place. I know, I know... Some movies, books, fanfics are intended to be bad, and that is another matter entirely. The creator has made that piece of media for people to watch/read and giggle over. It is humor. I think it is fairly evident when I come across situations such as these. The movie/book was made to be lovingly poked fun at by fans.

Let's stick with the book example. Why would someone who dislikes a particular book read that book (and other books associated with it) simply to poke fun? Why not read a book you enjoy? If you're looking for a laugh, why not read a humorous book you enjoy? I don't understand why anyone would read something they consider horrible just for the sake of making fun. It comes across as very childish to me. I want to read something that will become important to me, something I will love and enjoy. I don't want to read something stupid and then act like I'm cool because I'm totally making fun of it. How dumb is that?

So, yeah... I guess that's my question. Do you read/watch things for the sole purpose of poking fun at them when you aren't a fan of the creator or piece of media? And, if so, why do you do it? I'm not trying to attack; I'm just trying to understand. Because, on this, my brain just does not compute.

[identity profile] falco-conlon.livejournal.com 2008-05-30 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
The contact I've had has been overwhelmingly obnoxious. I've seen them on comment boards on the leaky cauldron, trying to convince HP fans that Twilight is more mature. I've seen them on the LJ community ohnotheydidn't spamming posts that didn't include whatisname Pattinson. I've seen them on f!s, I've seen them RP communities pissing and moaning when other players don't want to bow down to the hottness of Edward Cullen. I haven't seen them be wanky within the fandom, but every (big)fan I've come in contact with has tried to convert or just plain annoy once they realized not everyone was going to agree with them.

And I'm not even actively involved in Twilight or HP fandom. I've just found it surrounding me more and more these days.

[identity profile] anogete.livejournal.com 2008-05-30 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, I had no idea. I'm not active in any fandom right now, so I guess that's why I haven't seen it. I stick to LJ when I get online. Mostly, I read while I'm in front of my computer, so I just hear the ding if I get mail or a message. I wish people could chill out and just enjoy themselves instead of trying to convert others or argue about what is better - book A or book B.

[identity profile] falco-conlon.livejournal.com 2008-05-30 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Me too :( I really have no problem with Twilight, and when I meet a fan, I'm not going to automatically assume that they're One Of Those, but I thing the strong reaction a ton of people are having to the book, is actually a reaction to the fandom. Not to say that the people on f!s don't need to get over it and stop posting secrets about how they hate it sooooo much and they don't understand how annnyone can like it ooommmmgggggg! It gets very very boring after awhile.