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We’re getting into the problematic weeds of fandom toxicity in episode 68. Where does toxicity come from? How do we combat it? And how and where do we most effectively direct our critique?
This is a tricky subject, and one we’re open to being wrong about! (We are actually always open to being wrong, but especially here). It’s possible that parts of this episode are going to sound like we’re down on critique, but, to be clear: critique is good. Critique is necessary. Everybody and everything is problematic to some degree, and we should talk about that when it happens. How and where we target that critique, however, is something we need to be conscious of.
Warning: There is some discussion of eating disorders and rape in the episode—nothing graphic, but it is there. We also don’t censor our swearing.
What Missy’s Been Up To:
Reading:
Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
Motor Crush by Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, Babs Tarr, Heather Danforth, and Aditya Bidikar
Watching:
Wonder Woman
What Merri’s Been Up To:
Watching:
Game of Thrones
American Gods
To the Bone
Some Links You Might Find Interesting:
DJ Older and Sam Sykes on Twitter
Sam Sykes on toxic fandom
Rootsworks on trashing bathrooms and ownership
“Log Off” by Joey Alison Sayers
Overwatch’s Competitive Mode Is Depressing Right Now by Cecilia D’Anastasio
Overwatch Incest ‘Shipping Tests The Limits Of What’s Permissible In Fandom by Gita Jackson
Rian Sygh on age differences in fandom
How Trash-talking Affects Performance
The Adventure Zone and the Limits of Fandom Ownership by Chris Kindred
The Adventure Zone’s response to fan criticism
Steven Universe Artist Quits Twitter Over Fan Harassment by Beth Elderkin
Ladykiller in a Bind shows that we’re not ready to handle messy queer stories by Simone de Rochefort and merritt k
Ladykiller in a Mea Culpa by Christine Love
If You Hear Someone Getting Harassed In An Online Game, Don’t Stay Silent by Cecilia D’Anastasio
Take responsibility for your community by Brendan Sinclair