Fandom: A Political Monster

Terocious has a very interesting link today on his Jericho Junction blog. Let me begin by saying this post is directed to no one person or people. It is simply an example of what has happened in other fandoms. Yes, the Jericho fandom has undergone many of these examples so maybe there's something to be learned here.


First he makes the statement,"We should do what we are good at and try to support one another as there are many missions and passions at work. We should help when we can and ask for help when we need it. We should not expect others help but be grateful when it is extended. We should recognize encouragement as help and help others thus."

The link is titled "On Fandom." The link takes you to PoseidonAdventure.com

What does this have to do with Jericho? The author says,"Someday, I may just blow the lid off everything that went on behind the scenes over the course of nearly ten years of the evolution — and de-evolution — of the TPA fan community. Today, however, is not that day.

Instead, I want to leave you with some thoughts from other people who have been deeply involved — and subsequently burned (often beyond recognition) — by their own fan communities... which, like the TPA cult, started out as nothing more than a the coming-together of a few fans who thought they were all alone, overwhelmed by the joy and relief at learning they weren't "weird".

The author makes two comments that stand out to me. First, he says,"In other words, accept nothing at face value. Treat every fan community as if it were a chatroom — or a minefield. Eventually, you'll weed out those with true friend potential from the scammers and opportunists."

Secondly, he says,"Fandom is a political monster — there's a lot of infighting, favoritism and abuse.

Dee Dreslough"

"Burned For Fandom"
http://www.dreslough.com/main/burned/