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Not Taking 'If You Don't Like It, Watch Something Else' For An Answer
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This article gives a good overview of toxic fandom -- the kind where fanboys weaponize social media to attack anyone who dares disagree with them, or represent something other than their beloved pop culture entity. You know the stories, from "Star Wars" fans, misogynists attacking "Ghostbusters," the Beyhive, Barstool's "Stoolies"... and Lord help you if you're a dreaded "blue check" who has to face the wrath of legions of fanboys threatening you and calling you everything in the book for the crime of, I don't know, verification. And the worst is faced by the actual creators themselves, who end up being attacked for not giving the fanboys exactly what they want and when (coughGeorgeRRMartincough) they want it. But there are good things about fandom, too -- they save doomed shows, get people to appreciate undermarketed movies, and point out problems that need to be pointed out. Still, things have gotten ugly, and social media only gives it all a disproportionate voice. (Gizmodo/io9)
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