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I am about to piss a few people off.
Oct. 27th, 2010 12:09 amOkay, so I got an email that said my Montparnasse wiki page had been deleted. I did a little more investigative detecting, worried that my inactivity had somehow excluded me from the Les Mis fandom or something, and I found the thread on Abaissé that explained what happened.
I do not blame the newbie who started the thread, obviously. He/she had no idea that the people involved in the wiki are real people and were active very recently in the fandom. I agree that some of the jokes in the wiki weren't my cup of tea--I especially fretted over all the Cosette/Courfeyrac and worried that some dummy would think that was canon somehow--but I enjoyed the overall joke and the sugar-high tone, thought the concept was hilarious overall: in short, l really rather like that silly little wiki.
I especially liked the Montparnasse page. Which I spent a lot of time on.
So here's the point of this post's existence, guys: I am appalled.
The first person who was active when the wiki started should have posted in a way that acknowledged that the creators of the wiki are/were valued members of the fandom and are delightful, funny, energetic people who are really enjoyable to chat with, especially in jest. Even reading that thread as someone who agrees that the wiki would be better if it were more factual, I am deeply offended by the way the wiki's creators were treated and talked about as though they were idiots or enemies or children. A lot of people whom I ADORE jumped on that bandwagon and bashed those girls, and that's the main reason I'm so surprised. I know it's an elitist, snobby fandom, but I thought we all still liked each other, at least a little bit. We're all playing for the same team! Some people have different ways of enjoying Les Mis than others, but nobody is "right"! So knock it off!
I am not directing this at just one person, by the way, so don't go thinking I'm actually mad at anyone in particular. There's a whole group of people whose behaviour shocked me, but my lasting reaction is more surprise at the attitude on Abaissé and offence on behalf of the girls who were being insulted rather than any sort of grudge or anger. Has the fandom always been this mean? I know I've been away for a long time, but I don't really remember things being quite this elitist.
I just reread the thread to make sure I wasn't overreacting, and I'm not. If anything, I'm more upset now. I didn't have to log in to read that thread. You guys were namecalling a group of fans (who are probably younger than you) on a public forum. This is what cyber-bullying is.
I am so sorry to have to go all holier-than-thou on people I love, but this is ridiculous.
Long story short, I'm taking Abaissé off my Opera speed dial and strongly considering making my current hiatus more of a retirement. I still think of Les Misérables as my favourite thing, and I hate to have to feel this way when I'm in Paris and could benefit from you guys' expertise so very much, but I don't want to be a part of an environment that would be so cruel in a public space.
I don't know what to say to make this entry sound less condescending... if I could phrase this more delicately and tactfully, I would.
I do not blame the newbie who started the thread, obviously. He/she had no idea that the people involved in the wiki are real people and were active very recently in the fandom. I agree that some of the jokes in the wiki weren't my cup of tea--I especially fretted over all the Cosette/Courfeyrac and worried that some dummy would think that was canon somehow--but I enjoyed the overall joke and the sugar-high tone, thought the concept was hilarious overall: in short, l really rather like that silly little wiki.
I especially liked the Montparnasse page. Which I spent a lot of time on.
So here's the point of this post's existence, guys: I am appalled.
The first person who was active when the wiki started should have posted in a way that acknowledged that the creators of the wiki are/were valued members of the fandom and are delightful, funny, energetic people who are really enjoyable to chat with, especially in jest. Even reading that thread as someone who agrees that the wiki would be better if it were more factual, I am deeply offended by the way the wiki's creators were treated and talked about as though they were idiots or enemies or children. A lot of people whom I ADORE jumped on that bandwagon and bashed those girls, and that's the main reason I'm so surprised. I know it's an elitist, snobby fandom, but I thought we all still liked each other, at least a little bit. We're all playing for the same team! Some people have different ways of enjoying Les Mis than others, but nobody is "right"! So knock it off!
I am not directing this at just one person, by the way, so don't go thinking I'm actually mad at anyone in particular. There's a whole group of people whose behaviour shocked me, but my lasting reaction is more surprise at the attitude on Abaissé and offence on behalf of the girls who were being insulted rather than any sort of grudge or anger. Has the fandom always been this mean? I know I've been away for a long time, but I don't really remember things being quite this elitist.
I just reread the thread to make sure I wasn't overreacting, and I'm not. If anything, I'm more upset now. I didn't have to log in to read that thread. You guys were namecalling a group of fans (who are probably younger than you) on a public forum. This is what cyber-bullying is.
I am so sorry to have to go all holier-than-thou on people I love, but this is ridiculous.
Long story short, I'm taking Abaissé off my Opera speed dial and strongly considering making my current hiatus more of a retirement. I still think of Les Misérables as my favourite thing, and I hate to have to feel this way when I'm in Paris and could benefit from you guys' expertise so very much, but I don't want to be a part of an environment that would be so cruel in a public space.
I don't know what to say to make this entry sound less condescending... if I could phrase this more delicately and tactfully, I would.
