I'm going to just step on my soap box for a moment to talk about an issue I've seen: what people classify as toxic or "bad" fans - highlight when they conflate "maturity" with "silence" and "intense conformity".

This mentality is toxic and problematic within itself. (A thread)

It's worse when it is narrowed down to a particular fanbase and they are forced to meet unrealistic behavioral standards and opinionated stances. If they don't, they're labelled as "bad". A great example is the SonAmy/Amy or Sonic fanbase in general, but there are others.

Maybe this phenomena is the fault of particular in and/or out of fanbase influencers (who notably stoop positions opposite to those they tend to "call out") hyperly chewing out, badgering, or ranting on a particular group of fans with no sense of balance mixed in with more bias?

If you get spoonfed that:
A) this selective fanbase has genuine bad apples highlight X, y, and z for things as little as hating a character or making silly fanfictions regardless of context like age (which is bloody stupid) to as big as harassing folks (actual toxicity).

You'll most likely grow a prejudice for this given group. You'd categorize any sort of pushback to arguable opinions or rather assertions (especially ones that contradict views you're accustomed to or agree with) as "toxic", "gatekeeping", "petty", or "intolerance".

However, if it is them or anyone else that is not apart of the fanbase they have a prejudice, it's seen as just being opinionated, having a conversation, or pointing out misinformation. It flies under the radar.

Do ya'll see the cognitive dissonance here?

Do you see the wrong in this? I do. The fans the problem here.

Let's not even mention how this tends to go hand and hand with treating individuals of that fanbase who conform to their ideologies or treat themselves as "not like other fans" as their tokens or "exceptions".

Let's establish what is truly toxic and what isn't:

1. Objecting to a detractor's negative assertions disagreeing and sharing information of how they may be incorrect in their proclamations is not toxic.

2. Being enthusiastic about and indulging in what you like isn't toxic.

3. Harassing or giving other individuals flak for them merely not liking or disliking what you like or dislike is toxic.

4. Telling fans they have to think, write, draw, or feel in a certain type of way or else they're "fake fans" or inferiors is gatekeeping.

5. Having strong opinions isn't inherently toxic. Cry me a river if you don't like someone being a Sonic, Amy, or Sally (to name a few) enthuastist.

6. Disliking a character doesn't inherently mean you dislike them for your ship preferences or are you toxic for it.

7. A 12 year old making a silly statement or fanfiction that may be a little cringe. They're just being a kid, no need to rant about them to your large following on YouTube weirdo.

Y'know, just to name a few to set the standard of what is and what isn't in actuality.

Food for thought: don't confuse "maturity" with people being silent, twiddling their thumbs and accepting every assertion one may spew.

Don't start bawling that they are toxic for calling you out, voicing their disagreements, or doing things you also do for your faves either.

(P.S. I meant to say the fans are not the problem here and prejudice for there)
https://twitter.com/whom_guess/status/1386036482734010368?s=19 https://twitter.com/whom_guess/status/1386036474911633409?s=19