Regarding Wank
I hate fandom wank. I despise it. I think it's silly and juvenile at best. Inherent in most fandom wanks is the idea that it's okay to behave over the internet in ways that are completely unacceptable in RL social settings. Why is it okay to be purposefully cruel, belittling and vicious online if one wouldn't behave that way in person? Why is it okay to spread malicious feelings around online, making announcements to a large audience, if one wouldn't find it acceptable to stand up in a crowded room and shout out the same things?
In addition, I find that most conflicts can generally be resolved through polite conversation in which all those involved take a moment to consider the feelings of the other person and perhaps remember that tried-and-true Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It's amazing how fast conflicts can be resolved if that one little rule is remembered. Rational conversation, absent any cruel, derisive cut-downs, is a far easier way to resolve a situation. That's only logical.
So either most fandom wank is caused because the antagonist involved fails to take a moment to consider that basic fact, or because they have no interest in a peaceful resolution to begin with. In short, in my many years of observing wanks in several different fandoms, it seems that most often the instigator was itching for a fight; looking for an excuse to stage a loud, public brawl. There's little interest in actually resolving anything. The cruel remarks aren't a means to an end, they are the end goal. There's an adrenaline high achieved by actually voicing all the mean, snippy thoughts and, best of all, getting a chorus of "amens" from those who haven't taken the time to consider more than one side to the story.
So regardless of who is right or who is wrong, I'm never going to respect those who prefer cruelty and public cut-downs to polite, intelligent discussion and conflict resolution.
I'm turning off comments. Those involved know who I'm addressing. And those in the peanut gallery might want to take a moment to ask themselves not only WWJD, but what would a professional, mature adult do.
In addition, I find that most conflicts can generally be resolved through polite conversation in which all those involved take a moment to consider the feelings of the other person and perhaps remember that tried-and-true Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It's amazing how fast conflicts can be resolved if that one little rule is remembered. Rational conversation, absent any cruel, derisive cut-downs, is a far easier way to resolve a situation. That's only logical.
So either most fandom wank is caused because the antagonist involved fails to take a moment to consider that basic fact, or because they have no interest in a peaceful resolution to begin with. In short, in my many years of observing wanks in several different fandoms, it seems that most often the instigator was itching for a fight; looking for an excuse to stage a loud, public brawl. There's little interest in actually resolving anything. The cruel remarks aren't a means to an end, they are the end goal. There's an adrenaline high achieved by actually voicing all the mean, snippy thoughts and, best of all, getting a chorus of "amens" from those who haven't taken the time to consider more than one side to the story.
So regardless of who is right or who is wrong, I'm never going to respect those who prefer cruelty and public cut-downs to polite, intelligent discussion and conflict resolution.
I'm turning off comments. Those involved know who I'm addressing. And those in the peanut gallery might want to take a moment to ask themselves not only WWJD, but what would a professional, mature adult do.