People today get way too worked up over fictional works. No matter how amazing a series, franchise, or movie may be in your opinion, it should not constitute heated debates that cross the line into insulting. There're countless examples of such obnoxious behavior seen from fans of various things.1
One example is Twilight. Now, it goes both ways for this one. People can get waaaaay too into this series. I personally love it, but it's a little on the obnoxious side to claim you're marrying a certain character (such as Edward) and getting mad at anyone that dares to say otherwise. It's really stupid when people get mad at others because they claim a character as 'theirs'. That whole thing is really kinda immature. I mean, the characters don't even really exist.2
Another thing with this one is those people who decide to debate with Twilight haters. There's no way you're going to change their minds. Let them hate Twilight all they want. It's their opinion and they have a right to it.3
Like I said, goes both ways on this. Twilight haters can be a little too extreme as well. Most people can (or at least they should) respect the fact that someone dislikes the book. I don't have a problem with people who aren't fans. However, it is completely childish to start insulting people just because they like the books. Stating a dislike is fine, but going so far as to start stereotyping and insulting all the fans is way over the top. It's just a book. 4
I have an example for this one, actually. A friend of mine recently told me about someone who went up to their friend who who was holding a Twilight book in their hands. After asking to see the book, they proceeded to tear the books up. That is way, way overboard. It shouldn't matter how much you hate a book, no one has the right to do that. Something like that transcends a hatred of the book- it goes into unnecessary destruction of personal property.5
People should not be getting so into hating or liking a book that they degrade themselves to elementary school stuff. No matter which side you're on, it is not okay to insult other people because of their personal opinions. People can insult the books all they want. They should just refrain from insulting the people who like the books.6
Harry Potter can bring up another point. I've heard the books are wonderful, but that does not mean everyone has to read them or they're *insert insult here*. I have had a friend tell me I'm stupid for not liking the Harry Potter books. Sad thing is, he wasn't joking around. Some people, like me, just don't have the patience to read them. We have absolutely nothing against the fans, so they shouldn't have anything against those who don't want to read them.7
Really this same thing applies to everything- books, television shows, anime, movies, etc. People should not get SO into something that they lose sight of reality to the point where they start attacking other people (or trying to be seriously possessive of a character).8
Bottom line: It's just fiction. None of this stuff really exists. People are getting way too worked up over this stuff and there's no need to go overboard.
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Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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I so agree. I think you wrote this well, in that you methodically presented your point and allowed the points to develop. Nice going
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If only I had more applauses
This is so true and well put forward!
I completely agree, it is bloody stupid how focussed people get over fictional events... there are far more important events happening IRL. (Sorry for the bad spelling typing in a rush)
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Wow, that is so ture. People can get really into something, or against it. Great job, I really like this, and I agree with you.
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The whole Twilight thing has gone way too far. It's a darned book for gosh sakes! Why do people hold such animosity and insanity over a work of fiction? It's absolutely ridiculous. I'm so glad that I'm open-minded and not the type to overly obsess. I love the series to bits, but I applauded someone on this site who wrote a rant about it because they had valid points and explained their opinion, and did not insult the fans. It was a great rant, and I respected their opinion. I just wish everyone could respect everyone else's opinions and leave it at that.
It's so utterly ridiculous. -
I agree. People get too into series and get all worked up for nothing. What has the world come to that this next generation of children claim they are marrying someone they have never met? Its just an obsession and it will pass within time. You watch, in a few years these particular 'overboard' people will look back and ask 'what were we thinking?'
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it really good
beginning: 3, language: 4, plot: 2, ending: 3, dialog: 3, characters: 4.
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Really, you said what I've been trying to say for a long time. Seriously it's amazing how people don't like book-burners, but when they particularly hate a book they are ready to tear it into pieces. Of course it isn't fair to insult or fight with your friends just over a silly book. Me and my bff disagree over a lot of things, but we never let it stop us from being good friends. An excellent essay.
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Okay, you get three applauds for this... give you more if I could, but I can't.
I've read many a rant with people slamming books/movies/music they don't like.
unless someone is forcing you at gunpoint to read/watch/listen, then.....
Wow. If someone ripped up my book (any book, wouldn't matter), they'd best run real fast, real hard and real long.... cause once I caught them....
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I totally get you!!! Every girl at my school but me is obsessed with Twillight, and if I tell people that "it was Ok" they look at me like I'm weird. Some Harry Potter haters (eg. extreme right wing Christians) actually go as far as to burn the books, and say that those who read them will go to hell. I really liked your essay, because it gave both sides of the fan divide.
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You are very right here.
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*Insert Character Name*
That was great. Personally, I am a fan of Twilight and Harry Potter both. But i don't go so far as to insult people who don't like it. Others are entitled to their opinions on the subject, same as me. And I definitely do not go as far as to say I am going to marry *insert character name* because though I love the characters, I do realize they are fictional and it is not possible for me to marry them. Great job.
-Dani
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Right.
Some people go extremely overboard when it comes to their favorite books, like Twilight, and other people go overboard as well when they dislike a book, like Twilight. Personally, I can't stand that book, the characters have no personality and the storyline is predictable. However, I'd never bash someone for something they like. That's cruel.=) -
A voice of reason. Thanks for your objective point of view.
I've not read the Twilight series; in fact I'd never heard of it till I came here to SW this summer. But all vampire stories are far from my cup of tea, so it's no lamer than anything else with vampire protagonists. If other people like those stories, peachy. I like my vampires to be bad guys, personally, as they were originally intended. Harry Potter, I'm a fan of, but rather moderately so. It IS just fiction. Your measured viewpoint was excellently written; thanks for putting it out there.
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Dude~! Twilight is awesome and yeah, people can go way overboard about them too and also with Harry Potter. I know they're awesome books but why would people like persuade others to read it~! Either way, nice way of telling others how you felt about the books... I feel the same way as you do...
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thank you for being rational. i personally feel exactly the same way as you. i've never read twilight, and i don't plan on it. same for harry potter. just not my cup of tea. but if others do, cool. and if i DO insult things, it is just joking. after all, that person has a book published. where would i get the right to insult that? i've never had ANYTHING published...
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True! Very, very true!
Now if only more people could realize this...
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