i just realized the reason idc much about this whole research discourse is bc i've become desensitized to ARMY being misrepresented in the media :(

when i was a newer ARMY, it used to really upset me and i'd get frustrated. but it's happened so much since then i got numb to it. it's kind of sad

i do think we need to re-emphasize smth important, which is that no single person or acc or interest group within ARMY speaks for ARMY collectively. and i think this research hit that nerve both with the small sample size and the author speaking to the media

there was a cycle when the press first started to cover BTS and ARMY more, where misquoting or misrepresentation or lack of context was rampant, and we started to warn each other not to speak to the press, and to remember that no single ARMY speaks for all of us

i've spoken twice to the press as an ARMY, and both times the first thing i said was that i don't speak for ARMY, just for myself, that ARMY is not a monolith, but a very diverse group of ppl from all different backgrounds from all over the world, i can't possibly rep all that

academics among us are not immune to this, despite the added insight they may have through data gathering. ARMY generally loves data & analytics, but we don't like being mischaracterized, and we want the research to accurately reflect our diversity & clearly state the limitations

there will be unique struggles to obtaining viable data in an ecosystem as widespread and diverse as ARMY, and tbh we knew ppl were studying us & that it would only increase. many of us were wary of being the subject of research. we can be a suspicious bunch, and for good reason

i know we have a present & growing group of academics in our space focused on studying ARMY, & we've largely welcomed them. i hope they can be a positive addition in our spaces, co-army even, & not just opportunistic towards the subjects of their research, but open to feedback

ARMY can be excellent collaborators & powerful allies. but we don't tolerate partnerships well if we feel that we are being manipulated solely for the gain of others, or in a one-sided exploitative relationship. especially if it results in us or BTS being dragged in the press

lastly i just want to say if any academic accs read this - if you are routinely being approached by media to speak on behalf of ARMY & are tempted to agree in order to further your research career, tread carefully. media is no friend to ARMY, & you may become collateral damage