Fandom Wank - I actually read one for the first time

[icarus]

Six months ago I told epicyclical (I think it was her, either that or she replied to it in someone else's journal) that I clicked on a something called 'Fandom Wank' from a link in someone's journal once, blinked at it, "who are these people and why do I care?" and hit the Back button thinking "that's three seconds of my life I'll never get back." (And if I've ever been on this thing don't tell me because I honestly don't know and like it that way.)

Well, I heard about a wank-thing in someone else's journal and... okay, I clicked for the hot icon, but I did try to read it because I realised I knew both parties.

I see why people do this wank stuff. It's rubber-necking. A little like a car crash in slow motion. The argument developes from it's petty origins, veers out of control, wipes out several other cars (as people choose up sides) and then crosses into on-coming traffic. It's horrific, yet there's something amazing about the amount of damage just talking on ones cell-phone (or a livejournal) can do. Mere words.

But after about three or four comments, I felt a little ill with the mean-spiritedness. I showed it to wildernessguru and he got depressed -- and he didn't even know the people. "Why did you show me that?" he asked. I looked for the bottom line of the argument, and it was simple and rather petty. Nothing you could bring into a court of law, just a matter of opinion, though I suppose a case for defamation in the aftermath could be made if you worked really hard at it. A lawyer once told me that companies don't get in trouble for what they do, that's usually fairly simple. But the weird things they do to deal with it is where they cross the line into illegal territory.

So I propose a Wank Survival Kit.

Airbags and good Anti-lock breaks.

If a simple discussion starts to skid, the ability to stop and the use of some patience can keep the car from wiping out others. sparrohawk once said, "If you just leave it alone, it'll usually go away." Always remember the original argument and who the original argument was with -- it was rather small, n'est pas? Just a matter of opinion?

Emergency food supply and blankets.

When feelings are hurt it is best to tend to the injured right away. The temptation is to start to blame and choose up sides to retaliate. Instead, send private emails to friends, and chat in Y!M, etc. There is no wank a good vat of Haagen Dazs can't solve.

Walk away from the scene of the accident.

While I would never recommend this for a real accident if you have a ten-car pile-up in Wankdom, it's best not to stand around watching. This takes iron control. But a few things can help:

- never read other people's wanks. (Don't get in the habit.)
- never throw your own opinion in the fray of other people's wanks. (It is addictive.)
- don't bookmark wankfest sites. (If you don't know where the action is, so much the better -- you won't know where to look when it's you.)
- don't check the LJs of the "offending parties." (Be generous. Give them their time to vent.)

It might take a time out from fandom or week out of LiveJournal to be able to do this, give yourself some time to cool off. In fact, I have a wonderful idea: write a story!

Consult with your inner attorney.

Once you've finished your third vat of Haagen Dazs, have spoken with some supportive friends who've told you everything you want to hear and are feeling better... try to examine your own part in the matter. Now don't blame yourself. We're all only human. But how could this have been prevented? Examine:

- what was was the original argument again?
- why was I so upset about something so absurd?
- did it tie in to some other deeper issues that I can use this help me?

This is a private process and good mental health. Learn from it. Then take steps to ensure that it doesn't happen to you again.

Dispute resolution.

This takes tact and class - and guts - but if mature parties are involved, a simple private email to the original person can go a long way to resolving a problem. And you might either emerge with a friend or at least develop a new-found respect for the other person. (Icarus nods to spare_change.)

Comments

[kijikun.livejournal.com]

The link didn't work? Werid...*scratchs head.*
Hmm well here's the user info:

Fandom_Wank Snarky Bill of Rights
with thanks to sagralisse

We reserve the right to not get blamed for your sucky behavior. Fandom_wank members are far too fat and lazy to go bothering people outside our group. If you want to go trolling or harassing people for the fun of it, then do us the courtesy of leaving the community first.

We reserve the right to decide for ourselves what's wanky and what isn't. If you get pissed at somebody and bring your personal gripe to the community, be warned: we might decide that you're more mock-worthy than your opponent. Got a personal gripe? Take it to fandom_rant.

We reserve the right to post stupid stuff. We reserve the right to gripe when when stupid stuff is posted. That's the way we do things, so don't get into a snit about it if someone doesn't like your post. Or do get in a snit about it... whatevah.

We reserve the right to be nice whenever we feel like it. Don't assume that we're going to snark at you if you ask a simple question, like "what's a BNF." Unlike some communities, being a plebe here doesn't automatically make you a target.

We reserve the right to read fandom_wank threads without a bunch of graphic porn popping up on our screens. No, we're not prudes. Some of us have kids running around and some of us read at work. Use your graphic icons in your own journals. If you must post something graphic in a fandom_wank post, put it behind a cut and mark it "not work friendly."

We reserve the right to wander off topic as much as we like. If you got wanked and there's 250 comments on your thread, then guess what! Most likely very few of them will mention you at all. The only way you'll know what we're talking about is to read all the comments. Yeah that sucks, so sorry.

We reserve the right to think for ourselves and question authority. Always. Forever.

Please do not link to a minor's entry in fandom_wank unless the entry is in a community.