Couldn't agree more. Fandom is fine, but I find it important (for my own sanity) to create space to approach art before hearing from the pontificating hordes. Just to love something for its own sake. It's good for my health.
It's funny too because hearing from those hordes (great word, by the way) can sometimes feel really, really good when they agree with one's own opinion. I know I've succumbed to the need for that kind of validation: "Yes! I'm right! Others agree with me!!" But the thrill wears off quickly, and it feels even worse when one's own opinions aren't validated. As you say, all of this is very bad for our health. Engaging with the art, just me and the art, no mediator, no influencers: it's a better way to live.
First, any fantasy show is more interesting to me than just about anything else on tv! You say exactly why - watching people with swords and horses and gowns and magic just makes me happy.
Second, I'm right there with you about avoiding the discourse. Fandom used to be a shared excitement, the pleasure of discovering someone who loves the same thing you love. Now it's more like an identity, and because fandom is mostly done online, every impassioned opinion or "hot take" is around forever, recycled and built upon or torn down or defended and somehow turning into "discourse." It all becomes toxic so fast! Even for stories that I have cared about deeply for ages, Star Wars forex, I don't call myself a fan, because I don't want to be a part of the fandom. I'm just enthusiastic about things now. I'm happier that way when I don't have to worry about what the fandom thinks.
I know exactly what you mean, Stace! I too love Star Wars but do not consider myself part of that fandom. Even the LOTR fandom, which I used to participate in, has become less and less appealing as the years go by. I think your point about all this online stuff being around forever and getting recycled over and over again is spot on. The need for "content" and controversy has reduced the online sphere to a vortex of unpleasant hyperbole about everything.
Love this quote of yours, Jennifer, "Fandom becomes about the fandom not about the thing we’re all fans of."
I've also been guilty of seeking meta entertainment about current fantasy shows through the loud voices on the Internet - almost always entertaining, but also almost always critical in the way you describe:
"But I can’t help thinking that when we spend so much of our time in this “conversation,” we end up putting too much weight onto the art itself."
So true. And the art can't help but start to crumble in our minds and lose its power and positive effect in our lives. I'm torn, because I feel there are often forced social agendas unprecedented throughout Today's media landscape and I'd rather have my entertainment be for entertainment's sake, however your thoughts give me pause to ponder on how we used to have discourse with family, friends, and schoolmates back in the day - and how that perhaps was more fulfilling.
After all, like you: "It’s funny how some dragons, knights in armor, and British people hanging out in castles can make me happy."
Agree with everything you say here, Jennifer. Well said 👍🏼
As a child of the 70’s and 80’s I have no time for internet discourse on movies and TV shows as I grew up without it. However, that’s not to say I didn’t get into a heated argument in the playground back in the day as to why Highlander was actually a great movie and not a lot of “fantasy rubbish.” I think, maybe, the playground has just got bigger with more shouty kids 🙄
My son has grown up with Twitter and all its horrors so I have to keep explaining to him to not be swayed from his own opinion by what he sees or reads. When it comes to movies or TV or music, then the word objectively should never be used. Nothing is better than something else. If you love something then you love it
However, if someone brings their prejudices to something and only watches it through that twisted prism then their opinion is immediately invalid
Anyway, as one internet stranger to another 😁 I agree with your opinion on Rings of Power and think season 2 improves on the already great season 1. And I’ll leave the discussion there 😁
Thanks, Daniel! We are making our way slowly through Season 2 of Rings. I'm enjoying it! And the surprises of the season have been even more fun because I haven't been paying attention to either spoilers OR speculation. Thank you for reading!
Couldn't agree more. Fandom is fine, but I find it important (for my own sanity) to create space to approach art before hearing from the pontificating hordes. Just to love something for its own sake. It's good for my health.
It's funny too because hearing from those hordes (great word, by the way) can sometimes feel really, really good when they agree with one's own opinion. I know I've succumbed to the need for that kind of validation: "Yes! I'm right! Others agree with me!!" But the thrill wears off quickly, and it feels even worse when one's own opinions aren't validated. As you say, all of this is very bad for our health. Engaging with the art, just me and the art, no mediator, no influencers: it's a better way to live.
First, any fantasy show is more interesting to me than just about anything else on tv! You say exactly why - watching people with swords and horses and gowns and magic just makes me happy.
Second, I'm right there with you about avoiding the discourse. Fandom used to be a shared excitement, the pleasure of discovering someone who loves the same thing you love. Now it's more like an identity, and because fandom is mostly done online, every impassioned opinion or "hot take" is around forever, recycled and built upon or torn down or defended and somehow turning into "discourse." It all becomes toxic so fast! Even for stories that I have cared about deeply for ages, Star Wars forex, I don't call myself a fan, because I don't want to be a part of the fandom. I'm just enthusiastic about things now. I'm happier that way when I don't have to worry about what the fandom thinks.
I know exactly what you mean, Stace! I too love Star Wars but do not consider myself part of that fandom. Even the LOTR fandom, which I used to participate in, has become less and less appealing as the years go by. I think your point about all this online stuff being around forever and getting recycled over and over again is spot on. The need for "content" and controversy has reduced the online sphere to a vortex of unpleasant hyperbole about everything.
Love this quote of yours, Jennifer, "Fandom becomes about the fandom not about the thing we’re all fans of."
I've also been guilty of seeking meta entertainment about current fantasy shows through the loud voices on the Internet - almost always entertaining, but also almost always critical in the way you describe:
"But I can’t help thinking that when we spend so much of our time in this “conversation,” we end up putting too much weight onto the art itself."
So true. And the art can't help but start to crumble in our minds and lose its power and positive effect in our lives. I'm torn, because I feel there are often forced social agendas unprecedented throughout Today's media landscape and I'd rather have my entertainment be for entertainment's sake, however your thoughts give me pause to ponder on how we used to have discourse with family, friends, and schoolmates back in the day - and how that perhaps was more fulfilling.
After all, like you: "It’s funny how some dragons, knights in armor, and British people hanging out in castles can make me happy."
Agree with everything you say here, Jennifer. Well said 👍🏼
As a child of the 70’s and 80’s I have no time for internet discourse on movies and TV shows as I grew up without it. However, that’s not to say I didn’t get into a heated argument in the playground back in the day as to why Highlander was actually a great movie and not a lot of “fantasy rubbish.” I think, maybe, the playground has just got bigger with more shouty kids 🙄
My son has grown up with Twitter and all its horrors so I have to keep explaining to him to not be swayed from his own opinion by what he sees or reads. When it comes to movies or TV or music, then the word objectively should never be used. Nothing is better than something else. If you love something then you love it
However, if someone brings their prejudices to something and only watches it through that twisted prism then their opinion is immediately invalid
Anyway, as one internet stranger to another 😁 I agree with your opinion on Rings of Power and think season 2 improves on the already great season 1. And I’ll leave the discussion there 😁
Thanks, Daniel! We are making our way slowly through Season 2 of Rings. I'm enjoying it! And the surprises of the season have been even more fun because I haven't been paying attention to either spoilers OR speculation. Thank you for reading!