I think such people will ALWAYS be present but will ALSO always represent a small minority of fandom, and it isn't really fair to fandom as a whole to use those people as a baseline for what we should and shouldn't do.
I know. I've just found that these people often form the vocal minority that many fandoms get judged by (*cough*SPN*cough*). It's not fair, but these empty vessels often do make the most sound - possibly because they thrive on that sort of attention, whereas the saner factions of fandom don't want to constantly thrust themselves into the limelight.
I feel the same way about most of the fic that personally squicks me -- I don't really want to read it, but I don't object to its existence.
I wish I could say that I was as completely open-minded, but I think that if I'm honest with myself, I do have some objections. It's not as if I object to the existence of fic that squicks me, but I do find myself disturbed by some of the "bandwagon mentality" of some fanfic trends - where people start getting into certain types of fic "coz it's HOT!" but never even stop to think about the implications of the stories are.
I've said it before, but it's the NOT THINKING involved that gets me. I hate the "herd mentality" and people justifying themselves and their fanworks by just throwing jingoistic slogans around. That just annoys me But that's a whole other rant (and one that I seem to keep returning to, from time to time).
Re: Rambling and reminiscing...
I know. I've just found that these people often form the vocal minority that many fandoms get judged by (*cough*SPN*cough*). It's not fair, but these empty vessels often do make the most sound - possibly because they thrive on that sort of attention, whereas the saner factions of fandom don't want to constantly thrust themselves into the limelight.
I feel the same way about most of the fic that personally squicks me -- I don't really want to read it, but I don't object to its existence.
I wish I could say that I was as completely open-minded, but I think that if I'm honest with myself, I do have some objections. It's not as if I object to the existence of fic that squicks me, but I do find myself disturbed by some of the "bandwagon mentality" of some fanfic trends - where people start getting into certain types of fic "coz it's HOT!" but never even stop to think about the implications of the stories are.
I've said it before, but it's the NOT THINKING involved that gets me. I hate the "herd mentality" and people justifying themselves and their fanworks by just throwing jingoistic slogans around. That just annoys me But that's a whole other rant (and one that I seem to keep returning to, from time to time).