The universal fandom taboo?
Mar. 2nd, 2011 02:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
apple_pathwaysBashfic / Character bashing.
It's banned from nearly every fic exchange. It's against the rules in most communities. If you want to speak ill of a show or its characters, you're going to have to start your own comm dedicated specifically for that purpose. Fans are so scared of the ramifications for speaking negatively about a fandom's characters or canon, they retreat to memes where they can bitch about the things they don't like under the cover of anonymity. You'll see "character bashing" listed as a squick alongside cannibalism, incest, and noncon.
Why such a strong reaction?
Of course, despite the overall fandom agreement that character bashing is bad, people can and do bash. It seems like there's at least one dedicated basher in every circle or comm: that person who feels the need to rail against Character X every time their name is mentioned, even if it's only mentioned in passing. That sort of broken record bashing in pernicious and irritating, for sure: in a discussion about fans' enjoyment of Character X, it's grating to have to constantly bat away the vitriol and bile of one or two grudgetastic fans.
But what about the bashing that doesn't happen in the public view? The rants that people post to their own journals, or the fics they write that can be easily skipped if you don't like the writing? I've seen some fans insist character bashing is something they'd like to see warned for, but is that really necessary? After all, I doubt the people writing it admit to themselves that it's bash!fic: one fan's character assassination is another's creative interpretation, after all.
What has me perplexed is not that people dislike character bashing: I don't like to see my favorite characters trampled any more than the next fan. What astounds me is the general opinion (and correct me if I'm misinterpreting it) that character bashing shouldn't exist, or should somehow be contained in radioactive bunkers where it won't risk contaminating the rest of fandom. With all of the unusual/out-there/or edgy ideas that fandoms more or less embrace as a normal and healthy part of the fan experience, why is character bashing so universally loathed? Why does the general fandom rule of "Don't Like, Don't Read" not apply?
Right now, you might be thinking, "What is she going on about? If it's so universally loathed, then why do I see it everywhere?" I would put that down to "Bashing is in the eye of the beholder"; or, put simpler: you can't recognize your own stink. While talking about a character you don't like is simply a critical examination of the canon, the same discussion about your favorite character is bashing. While negative discussion of specific characters/canons/*cough*showrunners might be kosher in one comm, the members will generally agree that "character bashing" (as it pertains to the fandom darlings) is off-limits.
I understand the urge to identify, even overidentify, with the characters in a show. For me, it's part of that murky line that divides the shows/books/movies I enjoy, and those I am a fan of, and it's an enormous part of what makes fandom so enjoyable. I have, in my life, disliked fictional characters enough that the idea of writing a story that punishes them and highlights the aspects of their personality I dislike seems incredibly satisfying. I don't do it, because I make a conscious choice not to focus on the negatives of the canon; I get much more pleasure from the parts I do enjoy. However, I recognize that this is a line I draw for myself, and not a standard that need apply to everyone. You wanna bash? Go for it--I can scroll!
Nearly everyone can agree that the Negative Nellys who just can't resist the urge to slip in a snide remark everytime their least favorite character is mentioned are annoying. But what about the fans who need to "defend" a character's virtue everytime they detect a real or imagined slight? Some fans just cannot psychologically deal with people who disagree with them about how the canon should be interpreted, and the general fandom opinion seems to be that they shouldn't have to. And what I want to know is: why shouldn't they?
(Or am I totally off the mark, and most fans' negative view of character bashing attaches to the wank that it eventually stirs up and not the bashing itself?)
It's banned from nearly every fic exchange. It's against the rules in most communities. If you want to speak ill of a show or its characters, you're going to have to start your own comm dedicated specifically for that purpose. Fans are so scared of the ramifications for speaking negatively about a fandom's characters or canon, they retreat to memes where they can bitch about the things they don't like under the cover of anonymity. You'll see "character bashing" listed as a squick alongside cannibalism, incest, and noncon.
Why such a strong reaction?
Of course, despite the overall fandom agreement that character bashing is bad, people can and do bash. It seems like there's at least one dedicated basher in every circle or comm: that person who feels the need to rail against Character X every time their name is mentioned, even if it's only mentioned in passing. That sort of broken record bashing in pernicious and irritating, for sure: in a discussion about fans' enjoyment of Character X, it's grating to have to constantly bat away the vitriol and bile of one or two grudgetastic fans.
But what about the bashing that doesn't happen in the public view? The rants that people post to their own journals, or the fics they write that can be easily skipped if you don't like the writing? I've seen some fans insist character bashing is something they'd like to see warned for, but is that really necessary? After all, I doubt the people writing it admit to themselves that it's bash!fic: one fan's character assassination is another's creative interpretation, after all.
What has me perplexed is not that people dislike character bashing: I don't like to see my favorite characters trampled any more than the next fan. What astounds me is the general opinion (and correct me if I'm misinterpreting it) that character bashing shouldn't exist, or should somehow be contained in radioactive bunkers where it won't risk contaminating the rest of fandom. With all of the unusual/out-there/or edgy ideas that fandoms more or less embrace as a normal and healthy part of the fan experience, why is character bashing so universally loathed? Why does the general fandom rule of "Don't Like, Don't Read" not apply?
Right now, you might be thinking, "What is she going on about? If it's so universally loathed, then why do I see it everywhere?" I would put that down to "Bashing is in the eye of the beholder"; or, put simpler: you can't recognize your own stink. While talking about a character you don't like is simply a critical examination of the canon, the same discussion about your favorite character is bashing. While negative discussion of specific characters/canons/*cough*showrunners might be kosher in one comm, the members will generally agree that "character bashing" (as it pertains to the fandom darlings) is off-limits.
I understand the urge to identify, even overidentify, with the characters in a show. For me, it's part of that murky line that divides the shows/books/movies I enjoy, and those I am a fan of, and it's an enormous part of what makes fandom so enjoyable. I have, in my life, disliked fictional characters enough that the idea of writing a story that punishes them and highlights the aspects of their personality I dislike seems incredibly satisfying. I don't do it, because I make a conscious choice not to focus on the negatives of the canon; I get much more pleasure from the parts I do enjoy. However, I recognize that this is a line I draw for myself, and not a standard that need apply to everyone. You wanna bash? Go for it--I can scroll!
Nearly everyone can agree that the Negative Nellys who just can't resist the urge to slip in a snide remark everytime their least favorite character is mentioned are annoying. But what about the fans who need to "defend" a character's virtue everytime they detect a real or imagined slight? Some fans just cannot psychologically deal with people who disagree with them about how the canon should be interpreted, and the general fandom opinion seems to be that they shouldn't have to. And what I want to know is: why shouldn't they?
(Or am I totally off the mark, and most fans' negative view of character bashing attaches to the wank that it eventually stirs up and not the bashing itself?)
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no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 09:11 am (UTC)I think most people commenting here, while making good points, aren't necessarily seeing what seems to be your main point - which I read as: is disagreement really character bashing? (Correct me if I'm wrong!) One problem I have with fandom is that criticising a character can often be read as bashing, and any time anyone wants to be critical they have to couch their post in all these disclaimers that if they were critiquing something non-fandomish for they wouldn't feel compelled to do. In fandom I have run across a LOT of fear of discord, to the point where people will bend over backwards to avoid saying anything that offends anyone ever.
Ha, this post totally makes me want to write that "why certain fanfiction is popular" post I've occasionally thought about, but I fear it might alienate people. Maybe I should just do it anyway. XD
no subject
Date: 2011-03-03 03:25 pm (UTC)what seems to be your main point - which I read as: is disagreement really character bashing?
That's definitely the gist of what I'm trying to say. I think fear of being lumped in with the outright jerks prevents a lot of people from expressing any sort of negative opinions within the fandom. A lot of fandom seems to be "Squee Only" which, while fun, is not always enough! At least not for me: I like to critically evaluate the things I enjoy.
But what I also wonder is where the overwhelming emotions surrounding characters and character-bashing come from. I understand that people can be jerks, and it's unpleasant to have something you love attacked; especially when the language of bashing can be so extreme and, well: ist! (Racist, misogynist, etc.) But it seems to me the reaction to the mere mention of character bashing is out of proportion to what you might logically expect. (I've always been like Spock in that sense: I put logic before emotions ALL THE TIME! :P)
(I really need a "this journal is a social experiment" tag.)
Ha, this post totally makes me want to write that "why certain fanfiction is popular" post I've occasionally thought about, but I fear it might alienate people. Maybe I should just do it anyway. XD
Honestly, I'd be extremely interested to read it! I've done a lot of thinking myself about what's popular and why, and I'd love to hear your theories. My God, if I haven't managed to alienate people yet (which, I don't think I have...) I think you could definitely give it a shot! :P