It’s been a while since there’s been a rant here on S-T, but I’ve given into temptation, however, there are two things I want to address first.
The first, which is completely unrelated, is that I want to say thanks to Jrock Visual for the apology. We’re not trying to be hard asses or bitchy or anything, and I know you understand where we’re coming from. Anyways, we appreciated and accept the apology.
Second, this rant is not directed towards anyone. If you think it’s directed towards you, you should take a little time to reflect.
Spamming every community you can think of with an ad, whether it be for your community or for something you’re selling is totally not cool nor is it acceptable.
Please be considerate and post only in a few communities and then maybe some time at a later date in a few more. Or post in communities which encompass more than one fandom.
I totally do not appreciate seeing the same thing for practically an entire friends page on my LiveJournal account. If I could ignore it, I would. Unfortunately, I can’t.
One thing this fandom lacks more than anything is common courtesy and respect amongst and between fans. This applies to posting as I just mentioned, but also how people interact with one another. I’m not saying everyone is horrible, mean or bad… or anything of that nature. There are a lot of nice fans that I’ve met.
But, in general, I have never seen a fandom that’s so catty towards one another. Everything seems to be a major competition. Who knows the most, who has the most, who has seen the most bands live. Really, if we all enjoy the music and the bands is this actually an issue? I mean, seriously?
There is new drama flaring up every single day, and it’s usually over something ridiculous. For example, person A buys a CD from band A. Person B apparently loves band A, but will not buy the CD and asks person A to share it. Person A refuses. Apparently, this makes them a bitch. Because, as we all know, everyone buys things to share them with random strangers on the internet. [/sarcasm]
No one is obligated to share anything. So stop acting as if they should be. They paid for it, you didn’t. If you want it that badly, buy it. Save up. Get a job. Buy it. Stop whining because they paid for it fair and square and won’t let you leech off of them. On the flip side, if you do choose to share that’s your decision. You’re not the king (or queen) of the world for doing so. You’re a generous person and a lot of fans appreciate what you’re doing, but remember that you didn’t actually make the music or do anything particularly extraordinary to get it.
As corny of a question as it sounds, Why can’t we all just get along?
Does it really bother you that much that there’s someone out there that doesn’t like your favourite band? Are you honestly that upset a band exists that you have to go bash the hell out of them for no apparent reason? Even worse, does the appearance of another fan (who you had to go out of your way to see photos of) really bother you? I mean, honestly? Is that actually an issue in your life?
Personally I do not like the lolita fashion… and cosplaying just isn’t something I really get or enjoy. Does that mean I feel like I have to go and insult everyone who likes or takes part in these things? No. I don’t care how they want to dress, it’s not my body and they’re not representing me. So why does it matter?
Everyone has and is entitled to their own opinions and since I’d like to think that most people in this fandom are intelligent human beings, you’d think we’d be able to actually respect each other’s opinions. I’m not saying you can’t disagree, that we all should get along, or that everyone should be sending hugs to each other — I’m just saying we need a little respect towards one another.
We’d learn more and get far more accomplished as a fandom if we’d stop putting each other down and learned to not only respect one another, but to have common courtesy and to … well, just move on. I’ve seen people crucified for asking a simple question. So what if they’re new to the band? Isn’t gaining fans a good thing?
I’m not trying to preach or lecture or anything… I’m just tired of the fighting and the lack of common sense (and courtesy) in the fandom. I also hope I’m not the only one who sees it. And while there is the odd person who definitely deserves what’s coming to them, for the most part it’s honestly killing the fun of being in communities and what not. You can tell me as many times as you want that the internet isn’t serious business – and to an extent, it’s not (or it shouldn’t be). And while it might just be ‘all in good fun’ you have to remember that there’s another real person on the other side of that screen.
