New page for Lunargyros is up today! Blar transition pages. I am so behind on pages, arrgh. D:

WHY CAN'T I STOP WATCHING THIS


I was thinking of making a fandom secret, except then I remembered that going anon makes me really uncomfortable, so I thought I'd just make a discussion out of it instead. (Maybe I'll make a discussion out of the whole anon idea later). I've been thinking about this idea of "elitism" in fandom (and consequently, I guess it's opposite of "fanbrattiness") and how the terms are thrown around a LOT. And probably in both cases they don't really apply as often as people think; it's almost to the point where it feels like fans have to be one or the other. I'm finding it especially weird how "elitism" has developed SUCH a negative connotation on it, when I'm not certain it was always that way. I suspect "fanbrat" has always had the negative connotation. :/

What makes someone (or something, like a community) "elitist" in fandom? What's the difference between being an elitist and just being a highly active member of a fandom? Why does it become such a bad thing to people? Does it have to do with what people perceive/expect from fandom BNFs? Is it the activities people engage in, or what pairings/story interests they talk and write about, or how they treat others? How is it all that different, or worse than, "fanbrattiness"? How does perceived fandom popularity link into being an elitist or a fanbrat? Once fandom at large has a perception of someone as either a fanbrat or an elitist, is it even possible to change their minds? Is it worth it?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts, flist and others! And you can work from whatever fandom you're most into, or even forget fandom completely and say how you think it works in The World At Large.


Drawing: Worked summore on revising 'boards yesterday.

Writing: Schtuff