Yeah, this is something that happens over and over again and never gets any less ridiculous. Maybe it's some kind of us vs. them mentality with no middle ground - if you don't like this pairing, you must hate it and are therefore an enemy.
Then there's the fact that the majority of the people starting these fights are really young. Teenagers tend to get ridiculously passionate about what they like, not just pairings (band X is the BEST EVER, actor X is the HOTTEST EVER etc.).
Well, if I'm going to be honest, I'm only thirteen and I've been appalled at the behavior of people older than me in the past that gets handwaved with the "they're young" excuse, not that you're presenting it as one. Really, low age doesn't constitute low maturity, the people that can't act responsibly in a fandom and use their better judgement are probably better staying away from it. The people who start flame wars give the responsible fans a bad name, IMO.
You're right, but I still think age plays a role here. Not because young people are automatically stupid or irresponsible, but because they may not yet be familiar with fandom conventions, may not realise how appalling their behaviour is since it's easier to forget you're talking to another person when you're communicating online and because it's so easy to just lose yourself and become part of the mass, especially when you're younger. I mean, how often do kids end up doing something stupid in a group that they'd never do alone?
None of this excuses bad behaviour, but people usually grow up. I did absolutely ridiculous things in fandom when I was younger, including building a website just to bash a character I didn't like.
'Not because young people are automatically stupid or irresponsible, but because they may not yet be familiar with fandom conventions, may not realise how appalling their behaviour is'
I think maturity and personality plays a big role in it as well, however. Heated arguments is one thing, but actual abuse and attacking speaks of personality issues and serious maturity problems. Even in regards to if they happen to be young, a lot of the kind of people who launch these attacks have serious maturity issues.
As for the age-issue, I think a higher percentage of such fans are young/teenaged, but there is still a pretty sizable amount of these people who hail way in to their 20's or beyond. As heliotroper said, some of the most appalling in-fandom behaviour I've seen was commited by fully grown adults.
'Really, low age doesn't constitute low maturity, the people that can't act responsibly in a fandom and use their better judgement are probably better staying away from it.'
Then there's the fact that the majority of the people starting these fights are really young. Teenagers tend to get ridiculously passionate about what they like, not just pairings (band X is the BEST EVER, actor X is the HOTTEST EVER etc.).
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None of this excuses bad behaviour, but people usually grow up. I did absolutely ridiculous things in fandom when I was younger, including building a website just to bash a character I didn't like.
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I think maturity and personality plays a big role in it as well, however. Heated arguments is one thing, but actual abuse and attacking speaks of personality issues and serious maturity problems. Even in regards to if they happen to be young, a lot of the kind of people who launch these attacks have serious maturity issues.
As for the age-issue, I think a higher percentage of such fans are young/teenaged, but there is still a pretty sizable amount of these people who hail way in to their 20's or beyond. As heliotroper said, some of the most appalling in-fandom behaviour I've seen was commited by fully grown adults.
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THIS ^.
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