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NorroenDyrd β Just a Simple Message
#fandom #message #stamp
Published: 2015-10-24 16:35:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 1373; Favourites: 80; Downloads: 5
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So, I recently started getting back into watching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (which is a lovely family show, by the way), and got into an argument with someone over this one episode that had lots of in-jokes related to fan theories about background characters. I did not quite enjoy this episode as much as I would have liked, as about the only jokes I got were Doctor Who references... I guess I just don't really pay attention to background characters, or to fan theories related thereto. When I pointed it out, I was told, rather brusquely, that I am not a 'true fan' of the show. And this made me remember quite a few other things like that, which were directed either at me or at other fandom members, both online and off-line. Such as:You are not a true fan of Lord of the Rings if you haven't read all the Middle-Earth lore there is (including the works published by Christopher Tolkien).
You are not a true fan of Harry Potter if you do not have a Pottermore account/ if you did not get yourself mentally 'sorted' into a House.
You are not a true fan of Doctor Who if you prefer the new series over the classic series/if you like the Ninth Doctor/if you do not want Clara Oswald dead.
You are not a true fan of the Sherlock series if you also like the original books, set in the 19th century/if you do not ship Sherlock and John.
You are not a true fan of the Elder Scrolls games if you do not like Morrowind better than the later games/if you like portraying the franchise's villains or less liked characters in a comical light rather than wishing a horrible death unto them.
You are not a true fan of the Dragon Age games if you do not pick a side in the shipping wars (eg. if you like and romance Fenris but see no problem with people who like and romance Anders, and vice versa).
And then I thought that this tendency to set up criteria for what makes a 'true fan' is rather unhealthy... Let us all enjoy what we enjoy without having to pass some sort of initiation test!
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Comments: 37
Thank you for this stamp! It makes me feel good knowing I'm not alone in this. I, too, have felt the same way for a number of years. Only recently it seems to have gotten worse. I've seen this same thing going on in the Transformers fan base (you aren't a true fan if you like Beast Wars or if you don't like the original series), the Marvel fan base, and several others. And it gets SO annoying. Being a fan of something should not be that complex. And it should NOT be a competition or something that you have to be initiated into. Being a fan and enjoying what you love should be fun.
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Oooh wow, I made this stamp so very long ago, but I am happy there are people who keep coming to check it out and agree with this statement! The gate-keeping attitude in communities that are supposed to bond around having fun is really disheartening!
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Yeah, I sort of came across it by accident.
It definitely is.Β The main part that irks me is how people with that attitude treat it like itβs some sort of club, and try to dictate and control who joins (what gives them the right??). That isnβt the way itβs supposed to be. Being a fan of something simply means youβre a passionate follower and admirer of whatever it is that you like. And becoming a fan is always a personal choice. You watch/read/play something, you like it, so you become a fan. Simple as that. EVERY fan has a different level of knowledge. Just because someone is new to the fandom or chooses to/can only follow a certain part, it doesnβt make them any less a fan. It might make it difficult for those of us with more knowledge (because weβve chosen to dig deeper in all areas) to talk with them since they would only know so little. But theyβre still fans regardless.
Thankfully, I haven't had anyone to ever treat me in this way (yet). But I have seen it happen to others. Usually when it does happen, it can become nasty.
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"You're not a true Sonic fan since you don't ship Sonamy."
Or
"You're not a true Sonic fan if you like -Insert title here-."
Looool.
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A true fan would never tell a person they're not a true fan, and would let others enjoy themselves in the fandom. Your stamp speaks the truth
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Aww, thank you so much for your support!
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You're very welcome
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There are so many coughs I can make right now
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I know how you feel.
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You're right to think these initiation tests unhealthy, at least when it comes to these kinds of fictional stories; the "No true fan" denunciation is just another collectivist argument from intimidation designed to shame individuals from operating on their own reason and possessing integrity.
Consider this: these sorts of criteria for what makes a "true fan" are based on a deterministic, colletivist interpretation of people within a fandom. "So you want to be a true fan? Then you must read and like all the lore, contradictions and plot-holes all; you must agree with our interpretation of characters on faith--never imagine them according to your own mind . . ." Who decides whether or not these are indeed criteria for a "true fan"? Everyone within the fandom--except you.
The clannish, tribal nature of this group-emphasis rears its primitive head when one studies and tries to discuss the general philosophy/ideological spirit of the source material in question (which I think is far more important in determining a "true" fan) with these so-called fans: "Oh, stop taking everything so seriously!"
In summary, most mainstream fandoms are governed by savage idiocracies--but they are idiocracies worth laughing at during one's spare time.
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Thank you for your thorough research!
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It's good to not test anyone on their fandom.
Just my one and only pet peeve is if someone declares and insists The Adoring Fan from Oblivion and Cicero are one in the same.
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That says a lot about their intelligence and understanding of the concept of an easter egg
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I get the easter egg part but Oblivion was two hundred or so years ago so-well it just irks me they think Cicero is blonde how dare they.
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Also what, he cut his elf ears? wtf
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Wow, some people actually say that? 
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I shall continue pouring love and kindness down their throats until they either give in or choke to death! Huzzah!
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You are a true fan of something if you enjoy it a lot. Period.
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I wish more people understood that. ^^
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Thank you thank you for making this! I get so tried of hearing/reading all those arguments, if they like it they like it!
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Absolutely!
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I've been told "You're not a true Star Trek fan because you prefer the reboot over the original!!" and also "You're not a true Star Trek fan because you don't know the ins-and-outs of the Starships are any of the technical aspects" -_- so annoying!
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Ugh, I know how you feel! I love the sci-fi genre (which, apparently also doesn't make a true fantasy fan, by the way), and I don't know my way around a car, much less a spaceship! It's the adventuring, moral, character-building side that makes us involved in fiction. ^^
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Same! (Sci-fi and fantasy are great!). LOL yes, my knowledge of cars is like "..that one is nice. *looks at another* okay, that's ugly" Usually when I write my Star Trek fics, I use the online wiki (comes in handy!) or if I'm super stuck, I make something up LOL
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Thank you. Thank you so much.Β
I have this happen to me so often. It makes me feel so uncomfortable when you feel like an entire fandom is about to lunge at you because you have an opinion not many others would share. If you don't have a problem with a character most others dislike (or - gasp! - actively like them) or you like an installment in a franchise that most others have labelled as terrible, or whatever... well, apparently this makes you not a true fan. No, a true fan loves the fandom. That's really all it takes. Β Thank you for being so sensible, Norroen!
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Ahhh, I am so happy so many people can realte to this!
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They say that MLP fandom is particularly bitchy and hateful plus they tend to gang up on people so definitely don't take them seriously.
I don't mind being called NOT A TRUE FAN of anything tbh. Because it's probably true
also am I the only one in the world who prefers Elementary lololol
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That's why I made this stamp - so that it can bring together people who are not bitchy and hateful!
Who decides what makes a 'true' fan anyway? 
Ooooh, I think I heard about that show! Gotta check it out!
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Never seen it? They have a hot Sherlock and Lestrade with a cute NY accent.. and Watson runs around in ridiculous heels, so precious
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Damn, the things Sherlocks put their Watsons through. *shakes head*
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It's so painful to watch sometimes
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You are not a true fan of Doctor Who if you prefer the new series over the classic series/if you like the Ninth Doctor/if you do not want Clara Oswald dead.
Well said
To me, no new series fan can claim to be a true fan of Doctor Who if they've never watched the classic series . . . . . shame on them
I had some moron today at London MCM Expo [a.k.a. MCM London Comic-Con] who was selling Doctor Who merchandise and all sorts of other stuff, saying to me "Your not a real Doctor Who fan".
I ignored the spastic prick, and how could I not be a proper Doctor Who when I was holding my 12th Doctor touch control Sonic Screwdriver in my right hand and wearing this T-Shirt today !! doctorwhoone.deviantart.com/arβ¦
Arrogant tosser, what the shit does he know ? plus he had nothing I wanted to buy, and just for making me feel insulted, I wouldn't have bought anything off the faggot anyhow.
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Well, I absolutely love the new Doctor Who series and have no particular desire to watch the old one - but I respect all those who think otherwise. ^^ At the same time, I believe that not watching the classic series does not diminish my value as a person; I just want to enjoy my favourite new series in peace!
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Glad you appreciate the message!
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