Obsolete Has Social Media been hurting fandoms?

[matt0044]

Fandom discourse has been escalating to greater heights like a Shonen Anime and just as bad. People have been blaming the Fandoms themselves but I think we all really know what’s the root of it all is.

Social Media needs moderators like with forums. I know that the idea of restricting what we say online brings up thoughts of those abusing such positions and I don’t blame you. However, the lack of it has clearly lead to more harm than good.

For all the freedom it gives to those in need of a voice, this empowers so many miscreants to throw shit at those they deem “the enemy.” It started out fine before major incidents would crop up, disgusting many but giving a very vocal minority the inspiration to be “heroes.”

Now anybody deemed “awful” can be harassed until they go away. Never mind that a dialogue could’ve been had with them, they needed to be stopped before it was too late.

I remember going onto Pokemon forums more frequently back in the day where there could be some major fanwankery and eye-roll worthy threads but not escalated to the likes of, well, this because there were always watchful mods ready to defuse tension. It wasn’t perfect but I’d be a different person if not for that controlled exposure to fandom.

“Fandom policing” isn’t and never will be a thing but we can at least strive to make sure that there are people out there watching out for us, making sure that we aren’t being made into living punching bags.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I find it funny that this thread didn't get any responses until now, lol, just wanted to mention that. Would that count as ironic?

Anyway, I really like the message board style of places like this (look at my join date, I've been here a significant part of my life). Social media is much more of a wild frontier compared to places with more moderation. I don't think that's a bad thing, though. The anonymity of the Internet inspires people to be horribly inconsiderate and even all the way up to abusive, but I also think that makes it a good place for people to learn how to be a bigger person and ignore the "troll" types of people.

I guess you could say that people have two reactions to becoming part of the Internet; they either become part of the problem with society, or they find a way to be above it. It's unfortunate for those who become part of the inflammatory, sociopathic rabble, but... fuck 'em.

 

[Nicolas721]

Yes, social media encourages the use of memes, irony, sarcasm and superficial comments, but they're not going anywhere so we have to live with them. A good way to fight this is to always post clear opinions that encourage deep discusions, even if you think you are going to be ignored.

Social media doesn´t have moderation, but they have the option to ignore pages and users, and even when they don't, you have an option to not read the troll comments or posts, so it's possible to be a healthy fan within them.

 

[Dorothy LaRouge]

Ultimately it just comes down to the fact that social media sites don't have any moderation to curb abusive users and messages, or where moderation exists, it's very slight. If places like this didn't have moderation, you'd see a similar environment. It's not so much that fandom is getting worse as that the main platforms where fandom takes place have become places where there is no moderation, and as a result the really bad shit can exist without any deterrent.

 

[matt0044]

Ultimately it just comes down to the fact that social media sites don't have any moderation to curb abusive users and messages, or where moderation exists, it's very slight. If places like this didn't have moderation, you'd see a similar environment. It's not so much that fandom is getting worse as that the main platforms where fandom takes place have become places where there is no moderation, and as a result the really bad shit can exist without any deterrent.

I think I would've been a very different person if I full on dived into social media without first testing the water with these forums. Much as it's frustrating with all these rules, it had admittedly helped me meet all sorts of people and learn how to act accordingly.

 

[ReturnofMCH]

Ultimately it just comes down to the fact that social media sites don't have any moderation to curb abusive users and messages, or where moderation exists, it's very slight. If places like this didn't have moderation, you'd see a similar environment. It's not so much that fandom is getting worse as that the main platforms where fandom takes place have become places where there is no moderation, and as a result the really bad shit can exist without any deterrent.

I wholeheartedly agree with this, first rule of the internet is that someone IS on the other side and they have feelings.