Answer Me This, Flist

[anogete]

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.

Comments

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Lately, I've noticed how mean people are online. No one has been mean to me in particular - that's not where this is coming from. But I have heard about and seen several instances were people hiding behind their computer screens with anonymous names just say these awful things to others or about others. I looooove the internet. Crazy love it. But sometimes there are some really nasty sides to it. I don't know if people actually feel this way and hide it in their real lives for fear of appearing mean, or if the internet exacerbates these negative emotions. I never change my personality when I'm on the internet. The things I say in my blog or on message boards, I'd say to someone in person. Thankfully, the vast majority of my flist is the same way. Or at least I think they are. I've never met anyone, so I wouldn't know for sure.

Anyway, we need more wuv and positivity, man!

[falco-conlon.livejournal.com]

I don't know if people actually feel this way and hide it in their real lives for fear of appearing mean, or if the internet exacerbates these negative emotions

A mix of both. The anonymity of the internet makes it very easy for people to shine light on their nasty prejudices and tendencies because they can't be held accountable for it like they can in real life. Because of this fact it attracts, unfortunately, the scum of the earth. Ever been to 4chan? A cess pit of foul racism, sexism and cruelty. It's really almost frightening.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

OMG - Someone to ask! What in the world is 4chan? I've heard about it from several sites/venues, but I have no idea what it is. I guess that's a good thing since, apparently, it's no place for me.

[falco-conlon.livejournal.com]

It's a massive message board that's hosted out of japan, I think. 4 Channel. It's where Anonymous came from and most of the internet memes that are so popular now (lolcats, ORLY owl etc etc). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4chan

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Ahhh... I had no idea what it was. I think I assumed it was a genre or something. Obviously, way off.