Amy Ponds of the 99% (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
allchildren) wrote2010-06-03 06:42 am
allchildren) wrote2010-06-03 06:42 am
Entry tags:
the only sound is bender calling EVERYONE ELSE A JERK AS HE SWINGS
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Hello, and welcome to another installment in the ongoing series Tris Explains Why Something That Has Bugged Her For Six Years Has Bugged Her For Six Years, or, as I like to tag it, "eat all of our shirts." And our sponsor, Bender Bending Rodriguez.
I will start out reasonable before I get to the swearing: life is short and difficult, and if you're me, that's all she wrote. So I absolutely agree that love should be prioritized over hatred, that dwelling on the negative is generally an unfun way to be, and that life, liberty, and the pursuit of awesome should be cherished.
I also agree, as I think most reasonable people would, that I am not the goddamn boss of anybody but myself and I don't get to decide what other people do with their time for their own entertainment, nor does it generally affect me one way or another, nor am I actually worried about their well-being insofar as it relates to watching TV.
And yet, from one generation of "reasonable" fans from another is passed down this immortally infuriating "question" (which is never posed from curiosity so much as appalled, righteous injury):
WHY DON'T YOU JUST STOP WATCHING IT, IF YOU HATE IT SO MUCH???
Never mind that this could all be explained through Moff's Law. I will tell you why. I will tell you all sorts of reasons that could be a person's reasons why, out of many more that I'm not privy to! So just... stand there in your getting-told-why and get told why! (Note: I'm using "you" and "I" as the opposing parties here for simplicity's sake; I don't mean to imply that the reader is automatically That Fan and in a strange twist I haven't actually been in the "I" position for quite some time! But I still remember what it feels like. So I'm going to answer the question anyway, from ~memory.)
Because I'm invested in it. Because I don't hate it as much as you think I do. Because the story is only halfway through and I want to see how it ends. Because I think it might get better. Because I want it to be better. Because I'm not a fucking psychic and I don't know before it begins if I'm going to hate it or not. Because I really like that character, that actor, that 'ship. Because it speaks to my cultural interests. Because it's a case study in what not to do. Because it's de rigueur in my peer group and I'd like to be informed.
Because I can't win. Because you're going to call me a hater if I keep watching it and stupid or snobby or judgmental (or a hater) if I stop. Because you'll immediately invoke the rule that says I don't get to judge if I haven't seen it all. Because you're already mad at me for having a differing opinion as you, so what do I have to lose?
Because I enjoy it. Because it's so bad it's hilarious. Because it's fun getting worked up about something silly. Because ranting about something that matters very little and has no feelings is a harmless way to blow off steam. Because I think criticism is a worthwhile mental exercise. Because I want to draw attention to a problematic issue with the text. Because hatewatching is a way of life. Because I'm a masochist. Because being a fan for me isn't just about adoration -- it's about reaction.
Because I owe you nothing. Because you don't know my life. Because sometimes I really do have nothing better to do -- what, like you never waste time? Because you're responsible for your own squee. Because my opinion is as valid as yours is. Because you're not the goddamn boss of me.
Because every time you ask that question, I want to ask you back:
WHY DON'T YOU JUST NOT READ MY NEGATIVE OPINIONS, IF YOU HATE THEM SO MUCH???
This is not about people who go out of their way to harsh another's buzz or stir shit. The question isn't "why are you such a dick," (which would be another thing entirely) it's just "why do you keep watching?" I don't know, why do you fucking care? Because it makes you sad to know I exist? I'm... probably gonna keep existing anyway, sry2say. What will you do for me if I do this for you? Will you stop concern trolling about all the better things I could be doing with my life than having an opinion contrary to yours? Okay, then, let's talk trade.
Hello, and welcome to another installment in the ongoing series Tris Explains Why Something That Has Bugged Her For Six Years Has Bugged Her For Six Years, or, as I like to tag it, "eat all of our shirts." And our sponsor, Bender Bending Rodriguez.
I will start out reasonable before I get to the swearing: life is short and difficult, and if you're me, that's all she wrote. So I absolutely agree that love should be prioritized over hatred, that dwelling on the negative is generally an unfun way to be, and that life, liberty, and the pursuit of awesome should be cherished.
I also agree, as I think most reasonable people would, that I am not the goddamn boss of anybody but myself and I don't get to decide what other people do with their time for their own entertainment, nor does it generally affect me one way or another, nor am I actually worried about their well-being insofar as it relates to watching TV.
And yet, from one generation of "reasonable" fans from another is passed down this immortally infuriating "question" (which is never posed from curiosity so much as appalled, righteous injury):
WHY DON'T YOU JUST STOP WATCHING IT, IF YOU HATE IT SO MUCH???
Never mind that this could all be explained through Moff's Law. I will tell you why. I will tell you all sorts of reasons that could be a person's reasons why, out of many more that I'm not privy to! So just... stand there in your getting-told-why and get told why! (Note: I'm using "you" and "I" as the opposing parties here for simplicity's sake; I don't mean to imply that the reader is automatically That Fan and in a strange twist I haven't actually been in the "I" position for quite some time! But I still remember what it feels like. So I'm going to answer the question anyway, from ~memory.)
Because I'm invested in it. Because I don't hate it as much as you think I do. Because the story is only halfway through and I want to see how it ends. Because I think it might get better. Because I want it to be better. Because I'm not a fucking psychic and I don't know before it begins if I'm going to hate it or not. Because I really like that character, that actor, that 'ship. Because it speaks to my cultural interests. Because it's a case study in what not to do. Because it's de rigueur in my peer group and I'd like to be informed.
Because I can't win. Because you're going to call me a hater if I keep watching it and stupid or snobby or judgmental (or a hater) if I stop. Because you'll immediately invoke the rule that says I don't get to judge if I haven't seen it all. Because you're already mad at me for having a differing opinion as you, so what do I have to lose?
Because I enjoy it. Because it's so bad it's hilarious. Because it's fun getting worked up about something silly. Because ranting about something that matters very little and has no feelings is a harmless way to blow off steam. Because I think criticism is a worthwhile mental exercise. Because I want to draw attention to a problematic issue with the text. Because hatewatching is a way of life. Because I'm a masochist. Because being a fan for me isn't just about adoration -- it's about reaction.
Because I owe you nothing. Because you don't know my life. Because sometimes I really do have nothing better to do -- what, like you never waste time? Because you're responsible for your own squee. Because my opinion is as valid as yours is. Because you're not the goddamn boss of me.
Because every time you ask that question, I want to ask you back:
WHY DON'T YOU JUST NOT READ MY NEGATIVE OPINIONS, IF YOU HATE THEM SO MUCH???
This is not about people who go out of their way to harsh another's buzz or stir shit. The question isn't "why are you such a dick," (which would be another thing entirely) it's just "why do you keep watching?" I don't know, why do you fucking care? Because it makes you sad to know I exist? I'm... probably gonna keep existing anyway, sry2say. What will you do for me if I do this for you? Will you stop concern trolling about all the better things I could be doing with my life than having an opinion contrary to yours? Okay, then, let's talk trade.
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And I really enjoyed this post!
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o-on all counts