In which I type about fandom.

[impulsereader]

This week I bumped directly into two radically different aspects of fandom, and that made me want to type about it.[Poll #1878866]

Comments

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

I also think age has a lot to do with it, but I didn't want to make it seem like the main point because you're right, it's very definitely not always the case.

I think the key is that fans who are lured in by an actor can choose to keep a narrow focus or they can allow themselves to engage with the show and its themes as a whole, falling in love with even more depth. That's what leads to the really good fanworks, because you wouldn't write a story (well, I'm sure someone somewhere would) with a central theme of, 'Benedict is sexy'. You need a storyline, a journey, and sighing over his eyes (as wonderful as they are and as fun as that is) just doesn't provide one.

I'm strongly leaning toward the kitsch. There's also quite a lot more choice if I go in that direction - people really, really liked avocado for a while. :-)

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

people really, really liked avocado for a while

They DID, and I've finally had enough time to get over the onslaught of avocado from living in 70's styled apartments in days past - I can totally enjoy the era's kitsch again.

I completely agree, Benedict (and Robert, and Johnny) being sexy as all get out can add a certain joie de vivre to a well plotted and character informed story, but without the latter the sexing is just mechanics. I don't begrudge working out their fantasies on the computer monitor to anyone (and whoa, that thought doesn't bear close scrutiny), but sometimes the woobie love becomes intrusive in the fannish realm. My icon is a result of one of my "worst of" experiences, in which I was called, among other things, "a blonde cheerleader type that had everything handed to her on a silver platter." Which made me snorkle, and befuddled my nerdish heart:-)