How to Not be an Obnoxious Fan$JUVENILE_OF_GENDER

[azurelunatic]

1. Read the FAQ for the fandom/community, if any. Regularly.


2. If you only have "SQUEEEE!" to contribute to the discussion, don't. [Edit: If you're going to go "SQUEEEEEEEEE!" fine. Please also contribute coherently once you're capable of it. ]


3. Namedroppers shouldn't.


4. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and coherent train of thought count.


5. There is no harm in lurking for a bit to sound out a community and get a feel for the usual flow of things before leaping right in.


6. It's not necessary to contribute to every single thread of discussion, especially if you're not really sure what's going on, but need to make your presence known anyway.


7. Knowing every possible little bit of trivia related to the object of your fangirl/fanboyishness looks more like creepy stalker type than pleasingly devoted fandom -- unless the object of your obsessive fannishness likes stalkers.


8. Same with the thing where you're not able to talk about anything but your adoration of $FAN_TARGET.


9. Oh, and that thing where you think that everything that $FAN_TARGET has done is wonderful, even if you'd think it would be crap if it were done by anyone else? Also not attractive.


10. Did I mention how obnoxious it is when you let $FAN_TARGET's taste in something (music, media, friends, fashion) dictate yours? Especially where you'd hate it if it were endorsed by someone who $FAN_TARGET is having a running feud with, but love it if $FAN_TARGET said that they liked it, the very next day?

If you'll follow a few of these rules, and, you know, think for yourself and become an interesting person outside of your screaming fandom, maybe people would actually think you had a life.

Comments

[sithjawa.livejournal.com]

*ggl*

I dunno, knowing trivia happens. ::glance with shame at long list of things she *used* to know about Star Wars, but has long since forgotten::

Of course, having a fandom with enough trivia for that to actually be a challenge also helps. knowing how many seconds it takes for your favorite actor to tie his shoes is a little scary.

I would like Internet fandom a lot more if there were coherent trains of thought more often...

[azurelunatic]

There are some things that it is reasonable to know as trivia about a fandom, like anything that could come up in Trivial Pursuit. (Like, the escape pod that R2 and 3PO went in had four engine-things.) It is, however, not reasonable to make a list tracking the favorite foods over time of all the actors in the Star Wars movies, unless you are some sort of con coordinator who would have reason to know and need to use all that if, you know, Guest of Honor and stuff.

[solradia.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I know too many people like this. Mind if I repost it?

[azurelunatic]

Oh, go right ahead.

[thette.livejournal.com]

New Bujold book: SQEEEEE!

[azurelunatic]

'k, point.

[waywind.livejournal.com]

I agree with all that, except Tip 2. Squee is always of warm fuzzies, despite lack of eloquent content.

[azurelunatic]

Now, with new editing power!

ahem: SQUEEE!

[ruisseau.livejournal.com]

Just kidding! I think I have a life outside of HP slash. I actually left a whole bunch of silly ass comms. But the ones I stayed in have the best recs. *licks lips*

Oh, and my LJ is NOT proliferated with HP stuff! ;)

Re: ahem: SQUEEE!

[azurelunatic]

It's OK even if you don't, because you have a sufficiently well-written life within the fandom...