[ SECRET POST #5254 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #5254 ⌋

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


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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 27 secrets from Secret Submission Post #752.
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.

Comments

[meadowphoenix]

I'm of two minds about it. I think you're correct that the ability of mainstream media to influence public reputations completely outstrips the ability of RPF to do so. I think the corollary is that RPF tends to focus on celebrities who a) are far less likely to have mainstream media focus on their lives and b) are the subjects of fandoms made of people are more likely to be influenced by RPF in ways that cross the fiction/reality line because there's already a parasocial connection (cons, twitter, etc). I kinda think that it's a wash in toto, and I actually do dislike the ability of mainstream media to warp reality the same way I do RPF's ability in the specific fandoms they exist in.

That said historical RPF (i.e. fic about real people who live in history's memory) is just...part of art from it inception in a lot of real ways, I don't see the point in distinguishing. I would love to study when real people become historical enough for this transition tho!

Op

[(Anonymous)]

Interesting points on parasocial connections and fandom.

It does make me wonder about whether RPF is heading towards more and more uncomfortable closeness with actual reality now that celebrities can interact more intimately with fans and vice versa.

I can see that with bandoms in particular and with YouTube stars and that does strike an uncomfortable note with it all because of the anonymity and the nature of having your fanbase and thus your source of income become obsessed with some RPF that blurs realities.

I can also see harassment by people who take RPF too seriously towards celebrities being more public and loud due to the anonymity of these platforms.

That being said, it would be intriguing to see when people become historical enough for historical fiction. I guess it might have to do with either how relevant the event/person is and maybe if they died recently? Maybe? That's a thought 🤔.

Re: Op

[meadowphoenix]

Yeah, I think when it comes to the ~future of RPF, the fact that you have stars now buying in to rl shipping? hinting at it, hashtagging, etc? the appropriateness will probably feel different.

[(Anonymous)]

You say this but then someone else goes and says "oh, but Supernatural and One Direction fandoms are..." as if those people didn't have plenty of media exposure too though.

Honestly, if they are influenced by RPF isn't that... their fault? Because RPF is just what it is: Fiction. Of course, if you have a public persona you're prone to getting a lot of hate comments and you should know that your mental health will suffer. And you should also know that there will be paparazzi outside your door and following you on a date, probably, and you should also know that people will approach you with bad intentions. There will be drugs and shameless proposals. Your privacy will be severely invaded. Your reality WILL be warped, by default. In exchange, you get money and fame. Why would a couple of fellows sharing "hey they look like they'd make a cute couple" bug them any more than the rest? This is what I don't get. If some of them take it damn seriously, well, ... their fault? It's obviously not meant to be serious. Unless it is, but those cases should be taken more seriously I believe, court-seriously. I'd love for maniacs to become jurisprudence.

[meadowphoenix]

Honestly, if they are influenced by RPF isn't that... their fault?
Sorta? But also fandoms are communities and the ability for communities to shift thinking is notoriously either a benefit or detriment of communities. I think it's a little of both. I think we should all take personal responsibility for, like, not getting caught up in bs, and also that we understand that no one is too smart to get caught up and communities are environments which are made to influence thought.

If some of them take it damn seriously, well, ... their fault?
I think again sorta? But the problem with celebrity is that it is a state of commodification in which the only thing you can sell is yourself. I think it makes sense to expect a little of warpage with fame (some of which the celebrities themselves will cause) and also for the celebrities to get mad that they are not in control of their salability and that they will have a devil of a time convincing people that not all of them is for sale.