fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #3132 ]

[ SECRET POST #3132 ]

⌈ Secret Post #3132 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

__________________________________________________

02.

__________________________________________________

03.

__________________________________________________

04.

__________________________________________________

05.

__________________________________________________

06.

__________________________________________________

07.

__________________________________________________

08.

__________________________________________________

09.

__________________________________________________

10. [repeat]

Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 068 secrets from Secret Submission Post #448.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Put the fandom in the subject line.

OR what's your favorite fandom to talk about?

So, I knew that elitism was a thing in this fandom, but I hadn't realized quite how extreme it could be until yesterday. I joined this facebook group. And there was one post that devolved into this LOTR book vs. movie discussion. And even though the rules of the group actually specify not insulting other fans, there was this one guy who kept insisting that movie-only fans were not real fans.

So I made a comment saying that all fans are true fans. And he told me that I was personally contributing to the dumbing down of modern culture. Someone else commented that they didn't enjoy the books because they found them difficult to read. And he insulted their reading skills and intelligence.

What the hell? Who takes fandom that seriously?

It's the same for anything where some people need to feel better than others. He's probably a sad little man in real life.

Re: Book vs movie - I can see where people come from on this. I mean I would never say that movie fans aren't "real" fans but it does feel like we're fans of very different things. It's easy to take something personally when the media means so much to you, and I know I am very frustrated by a lot of PJ's choices and how those choices are now more main-stream than what's actually in the book.

I mean, I like that he did a little towards individualizing the characters. I am happy to view Dwalin as a big scary second-in-command. But it's also clear that PJ didn't care about or didn't understand the details of Middle-earth. It would be one thing if it served the story but, for instance, having Nori be a thief doesn't serve any narrative function and actually doesn't make sense when they need Bilbo to be a thief. And now it's just ingrained so that if I look for a fic with him, he's going to always be a thief. Rarely does an author make their own Nori. From the book, you can do practically anything you want with this character but he now has a generally-agreed-upon characterization and you'd have to state if you're deviating from that. So, that can be sad for book!fans.

I believe that the Hobbit films were for the most part enjoyable but they were not to the level of LOTR. If they had been, I don't think there would be so many book!fans pushing so hard back against the movies. If, for instance, Tauriel had been written without the romance (or the romance hadn't been so clunky), more people would have been okay with her.

At least that's how I view it. I heard a film critic once say that if a movie adaption is great, then the fans won't nitpick about the details (generally. there's always going to be that one guy). But if the film isn't good, then fans will nitpick to death. I think there may be a grain of truth in that.

(BTW, congrats on finishing your test!)

Thanks! And I do agree with you (although in this case the discussion was strictly about LOTR and not Hobbit too). I think the books are better by far, though I still love all the movies (to differing degrees). I just don't believe in insulting other fans because we're all fans. And the funny thing was some people made Silmarillion references and this guy didn't recognize them, so he clearly hadn't read all the books. So by some people's standards he wouldn't be a real fan either. He was just being rude and it was uncalled for.

I always equate these people with conspiracy-theory types. I once saw a documentary disproving all the 9/11 conspiracy theories, and in the documentary one of the talking heads said that it doesn't matter what evidence you provide because what these people really want is to be right and to know something others don't. Or to see something others don't. It makes them special, makes them unique. So no amount of evidence will be good enough because they're not out for the truth, despite what they say. They just need to keep feeling oppressed or in-the-know or whatever it is that's really motivating them.

This made so much sense to me, and made it clear that engaging with these people is a waste of time because it doesn't matter what you say. They have to be right. They have to be better than you. It's not about the truth at all.

So, it's good to put the evidence out there and then walk away. (I agree it can be frustrating though when you're looking for a nice place to debate and/or squee.)

Eh, to be fair in the book the dwarves really aren't fleshed out, so it's not a surprise people would gravitate to the movie characters because there's more to work with. Characters like Nori still have a lot of areas where people can fill in the blanks. Hobbit fandom is mostly movie based so not surprised people stick to movie characterization. Doesn't bother me, since it's different.

Re: Tolkien fandom

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-02 04:11 (UTC) - Expand

That guy's just a douchebag.

That said - in some sense, I can kind of appreciate where he's coming from, in the sense that I'm almost entirely a book fan, and it can be really difficult and really frustrating to be critical of the movies, and to defend the books from some common criticisms that you think are wrong, without ruffling some feathers. It's legitimately difficult and frustrating and it makes it frustrating to talk about Tolkien when people are coming at it from such a different perspective. That said, that's really not an excuse for dude to be an ass about it.

The one thing that I do disagree with in your post is the bit about taking it seriously - because, I mean, again, dude is a douchebag, but I think it's worth taking LotR at least somewhat seriously. I mean, as seriously as you're willing to take art or literature or whatever you want to call it in general. And, again, taking it seriously doesn't mean and shouldn't mean being a dick about it, soooooo yeah.

See, I think there is a clear line between disliking the movies or criticizing the movies and telling other fans they are doing it wrong or are not real fans. The latter is when you are taking it too seriously in my mind because you are so intense about it you've decided that you're way of doing things is the only way and feel the need to keep the fandom free of any fan who doesn't agree with you.

I don't mean taking it too seriously in the sense of taking the books/movies too seriously. I mean in the sense of taking fandom itself too seriously and thinking of it as our own personal playground that should follow your personal rules.

I love Tolkien too, but geez... The people who only like the books and get angry when someone prefers or even likes the films have problems. Some people just can't imagine anyone feeling differently then them, and when they find someone who doesn't share their opinion they need to prove them wrong or call them stupid.

It's immature for sure. The books are my absolute favorite, but I adore the films as well and that doesn't compute for certain hardcore Tolkien fans.

I like Tolkien but I keep my distance from the fandom for this reason. I get that it's an old fandom so a lot of grudges or feelings are deep-seated in people, but it makes some people come off as kind of rabid if you don't have the the Right Opinion. And God forbid you like something in the films better than something in the books.

I think it probably depends on where you are? Because I've had no problems at all with the Tumblr Tolkien fandom. This was actually my first experience with this sort of thing.

Yeah, if I visit any areas that have an air of old fandom (I have one Facebook group that I watch that feel like that), I keep my few comments a bit on the careful side, because while I have read the books (including the Silmarillion and bits and piece in HoME), I do consider myself more of a movie fan.

The thing is, I feel I understand the movie-only fan POV a bit, because that is the sort of fan Mum is. Her brother once gave her a copy of The Hobbit way back in the 70s, but she could not get through it. In fact she made another attempt to read it after AUJ came out and managed to get as far as the troll scene, and considered that an achievement - that's how much she struggles with Tolkien's writing, even the "easy mode" of it.

And yeah, I don't really understand how people can be that serious about fandom. All I can think is some people need something to get angry over, and for an old-school Tolkienite, that is bookverse vs. movieverse.

Not my favorite but I've been in the mood lately.

What are the things that interest you about this universe?

For me, it the Jedis.

Everything to be honest. I love the fantasy and scifi mix. The Jedis are definitely some of my favorite parts, though, and a big part of why I love the prequels. I also actually find the political stuff interesting. I love fictional politics. I love the Old Republic and the Empire (and the New Republic in the EU).

I like a lot of that stuff too. I like seeing "magic" alongside the high tech elements. But, for me, I'm not interested in a lot of the high tech stuff in itself. I think my brother has skewed this for me because he's the biggest Star Wars fan I know and he can rattle off all the different types of ships and the kinds of droid and I just don't care.

Lately, though, I have found myself fascinated with the logistics of how Coruscant functions. And I agree about the politics. I thought what Palpatine did to secure his power was probably the most interesting part of the prequels (the execution was a might off with regards to how Anakin turned dark side but I could see what they were going for).

I've also found myself interested in the logistics of how having so many different kinds of aliens living together works. Like, I was recently imagining what the brothels on Coruscant would be like - all the different kinds of aliens and the different kinds of services and if there would be brothels at all.

I got sucked into the black hole that is Wookiepedia and it seems like Star Wars really has thought of everything. I only know the movies but all the stuff they were listing from the books sounded fascinating. I love big extended well-thought-out universes.

Re: Star Wars

philstar22 - 2015-08-01 21:56 (UTC) - Expand

The underworld-y, space adventure-y, scoundrels and spies kind of stuff

THE ACTUAL UNIVERSE.

I love how it's so vast with so many planets and races, but also has gritty parts and feels real - like a place that could exist.

+1

The SW universe is cool, and more interesting than any individual set of characters imo. I should look deeper into the expanded verse but it's so huge and I wouldn't even know where to start.

That said, Jedi and Sith, force powers...I just love it. The planets and races are fun! Star Wars: KOTOR is one of my favorite games, and I wish more like it were available. (KOTOR3, please.)

I still am, and I just gotta say, I am freaking *in love* with Stahma Tarr and Datak Tarr this season. OMG.

She is so *smooth* and sweet and all soft-voiced, head ducked, so retiring....while all the while her snakey, sneaky brain is going a mile a minute, figuring out how to WIN WIN WIN.

And Datak, and the Rack of Shame, and then his *aaaaaaarm*, holy crap....

Yeah, loving those guys. And, of course, ongoing love for Doc Yewll and Irisa and Amanda and even Berlin, though i was disappointed in her going. And Alak is really stepping up this season, too, poor guy.

All in all? I love this damn show. Mooar sci-fi!! :)

I'm not, but I didn't realize it was back!

I think I missed an episode or two last season? I wasn't a big fan of the direction the show was going. (Basically, I preferred the self contained stories to 'the end is nigh' stuff and kind of lost my interest around that time.)

Do you think it's worth catching up with?

I 100 percent do, but that's just me. I really do *love* this show so much. (Yes, I'm starved for sci-fi of any kind, but this is good stuff!)

I really do think the last season ended on a 'personal' note, and this new season has continued with it. There is no 'end is nigh stuff', in my opinion, but it's possible we'd see it from a different perspective.

I say give it a shot. :)

Former Defiance!stan here, and that's basically why I gave up on the show. Haven't caught up with the new season, either.

Re: Defiance - anyone watching?

elaminator - 2015-08-02 21:46 (UTC) - Expand

As for Kingsman, I really have nothing in particular I want to talk about, just wanted to remind people that I am willing to discuss it.

Anytime

Anyplace

Always

With The Last of Us...how do you feel about the possibility of TLOU2? Do you think we'll get a new cast? I sincerely hope we do. I don't want to follow Ellie or Joel again. (Not because I don't love the characters, but because I feel like their story is finished.)

I'd just spend my time gushing about Valentine and Gazelle again(especially Gazelle), but for a change of pace: Roxy was pretty rad, like I found her kind of adorable and almost endearing to begin with and then in the bar scene almost unbearably hot and then straight back to adorable again during the last part of the film. Roxy is cool and I'm so glad that she made Kingsman(even if it was in place of Eggsy at the time, and well, she deserved it) and more than anything I want her back in a sequel so I can watch her kick ass and take names(hell I'd even like to see her get her own 'bond boy' if you will).

(Also do you know anywhere for Kingsman icons? Mostly of Gazelle, Roxy and Valentine, because I have a mighty need).

I didn't know they were doing a TLOU2, I gotta agree with you though a new cast would be my preference as well since I'm not sure what else you could really do with Joel and Ellie's story.

I liked Roxy from the beginning too because she was such a sweetie. She didn't judge Eggsy like the other candidates and she let her skills speak for themselves instead of boasting and having an irritating ego.

She just did what she had to do and supported her friend along the way. She and Eggsy are adorable pals and I want more of that friendship. I bet they text regularly and have movie nights together.

She was so, SO hot in the bar scene! She looked fine as hell in a suit or jacket too, but that dress was stunning and she rocked it. The eyeliner was fab, she was beautiful.

She should def get a Bond boy, IA. I'd like that, she could walk off with him while Eggsy is like, “Get it, Rox".

I liked that she got the position because yes, she deserved it. She and Eggsy both deserved it, but Eggsy isn't going to be left out anyway, so no harm done. (I almost wish he would be given a new codename... So Harry could come back. I am not giving this up.)

Oh, and Driftsuit on DW has various Kingsman icons! Maybe there are a couple users that have a few, but they have the most. I would link you but I had to switch to mobile. (I made some of mine... They aren't great. I don't think I've looked through all that users posts, though. ...I should.)

I don't think you can do anything else with Joel and Ellie's story without ruining the ending of the first game, tbh.