Comments | thamiris: Fannish Anthropophagy

thamiris

Fannish Anthropophagy

Jun 06, 2006 09:23

On Anonymous Hate Memes
The newest irritation? How some people in a fit of etymological spasticity have bastardized the suffix of "anonymous," calling anyone who posts that way a "mouse." Um, hello. If you're posting anonymous vitriol, you're not a mouse--you're a pussy. The attempt to cutify the emotionally-retarded is like PC-ness on ( Read more... )

Comments 71

from the non-minion, non-bnf corner logovo June 6 2006, 16:41:33 UTC

It seems to give greater power to those who are perceived to be "oppressing" people who post anonymously. I get that some feel neglected and underapreciated, but in my mind this behavior does nothing but create contempt for those who feel victimized by the popular crowd. Yes, life is forever high school.

Re: from the non-minion, non-bnf corner thamiris June 6 2006, 16:47:13 UTC

Yes, life is forever highschool. Big word to that, and to all of it. It's just--if someone doesn't like her status in fandom, anonymous whining isn't the way to go. But of course these people want adoration handed to them on a big ol' platter without doing dick to get it.

Re: from the non-minion, non-bnf corner logovo June 6 2006, 17:25:34 UTC

miriam_heddy pointed out something interesting on my post from yesterday. She said that like high school, popularity in fandom is not a meritocracy, that some people are just more in tune with it's politics and what it takes to get what you want.

I agree, and to my mind the people posting on the hate comms have not learned that lesson, that just working hard doesn't entitle you to praise or popularity. Charisma, charm, whatever, it isn't evenly distributed and those who stomp their feet at the unfairness of it either outgrow that attitude or are bound for some bad times.

Re: from the non-minion, non-bnf corner thamiris June 6 2006, 17:42:17 UTC

It depends, I think, on how you define working hard: if you work hard as writing episode reviews, for instance, or making screen caps, and you have a modicum of talent mixed with well-crafted net-working skills, then I don't doubt that a person could obtain some status. I'm not saying that all BNFs do this: status can be gained in a variety of ways, including, as you point out, through simple personal charisma.

Or something. In the end, fannish politics are mostly a mystery to me.

glitterdemon June 6 2006, 17:30:42 UTC

If you're posting anonymous vitriol, you're not a mouse--you're a pussy.

best. rant. ever.

thamiris June 6 2006, 17:35:54 UTC

Hee! Thanks, chica.

xtricks June 6 2006, 17:59:53 UTC

Near as I can figure, folks somehow imagine that if the post anonymously they somehow won't get the usual back lash that happens to many people who whine and bitch because 'life isn't fair' or whatever. Since most anon comments are usually pretty lame-ass, I guess folks need whatever protection they can get.

thamiris June 6 2006, 18:36:20 UTC

I must admit that I find it pretty sad when someone's not willing to step up and accept the consequences of her own words: either what she says deserves to be spoken, and is thus defensible, or it doesn't, and she should shut her yap and move on. In the end, you shouldn't need protection from yourself, right?

(The comment has been removed)

thamiris June 8 2006, 19:08:03 UTC

Obviously, I agree wholeheartedly. *g* The thing is, this is so freakin' obvious, right? I mean, we're not postulating some arcane theory of human relations here, and that's what I find most mind-boggling. Just how stupid, self-loathing, and socially-retarded must you be to fear ownership of your own words???

myownghost June 6 2006, 18:00:12 UTC

haven't seen the hate memes, i'm happy to say. but what old story? ooh! that perks me right up.

thamiris June 6 2006, 18:38:09 UTC

The old story's just this Lex/Clark future-fic that I was working on, then not working on, then working on, then not working on for a long time. *g* I'm feeling the desire to keep going with it now.

digitalwave June 6 2006, 18:00:32 UTC

I was never so happy to have missed something on lj as I was to have missed this. There is way too much baggage and crap for us to endure in our everyday lives for it to spew over onto our online lives this way.

I have never done my writing or my artwork as a way to 'make a name' for myself. I do it for myself and for any joy or amusement the people who share it with me may find. Any one who goes into it with a different attitude are in it for all of the wrong reasons.

I always feel sorry for those who hate themselves so much that they feel the need to try and pass their hatred on to others.

*hugs*

thamiris June 6 2006, 18:41:16 UTC

Amen, sister! And, to pick up on something you say in the second paragraph, I think that any kind of fannish production simply to gain a name is counter-productive: you're setting yourself up for a fall. (Generic "you," of course--clearly not you in particular!)

As for the self-hating thing: I mean, how can anonymous posters not be *embarrassed* to do that, since it's a clear statement that they're emotionally stunted and without class or talent?