Fail, Fandom, Fail
image from icanhascheezburger.com and created with the LOLCATS generator
So your favorite, oh-so-hawt-actor and object of your fantasies is now on Twitter, Facebook or whatever social networking media we now have out there.
He's very fan-friendly and has mentioned that he's discovered *gasp* FAN FICTION based on his character and the show we all adore.
Please, for the love of Ceiling Cat and Cheezburgers, THIS IS NOT AN OPEN INVITATION TO PRESENT HIM WITH FAN EROTICA / FAN FICTION / FAN WORK / FAN ART.
NO. JUST.... NO.
Even if they seem like they want to read this, RESIST THE URGE TO REC. STEP AWAY. TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
DO NOT DO IT.
No, do not whine to me that "they asked for it!" or "they're actors, they should be flattered" or God help us, even take refuge behind social justice and equal opportunity ogling rights for women or whatever bullshit excuse you want to come up with.
If it's not too difficult, try thinking about it this way.
What if a complete stranger comes up to you and demands that you read their explicit sexual fantasies about YOU? Yes, YOU - being the star of someone's personal private fictional porn. Would you want that? Would you try to be more understanding when said stranger whines they're only doing this because they admire you and they're your "fan?" Would it make it better to be told that "you should expect this and you should be flattered?"
But wait - some of you cry. "I'm not an actor! They should expect this - it's the price of fame!"
So what would you do if this random stranger just saw you in a coffee shop? In a mall? Minding your own business? Snapped your picture or got it from your Facebook or someone's Facebook page? What would you do then? We're not as anonymous as we'd like to think anymore, not with Facebook and Twitter and everyone feeling the urge to share whatever they're doing to all and sundry, even if it's just something as mundane as going to the toilet.
Feel the creepy-crawlies going up your spine? Think it's so flattering then? Wouldn't the rape/stalker-vibe alarms be ringing in your head?
Thought so.
There is this thing called common courtesy, people. And the actors and actresses and creative crew who bring us so much joy with their work deserve it from us. They deserve our courtesy and our respect and that we recognize that they are people with private lives separate from the fictional personas they portray.
Let's give them that.
This RANT was brought to you by too many instances of seeing Epic Fandom Fail on my F-list.