Why do people hate BNFs?

[icarus]

I really don't understand this BNF phenomenon. I just don't get it.

I don't see why people go "whee, Icarus!" when they find out their review or whatever is from me. I understand "whee, Stories!" -- or -- "whee, Icarus' Stories!" That makes sense to me, because this is all about the stories, all about the fun of writing. If you've liked something I wrote in the past, there's good chance you'll like the next one. I'm the same way about "whee, Candy!"

But I don't know why the focus shifts from the story to the person. What the hell...?

Comments

[tehlils.livejournal.com]

I really don't understand this BNF phenomenon. I just don't get it.
Me either. Never have, and don't think I ever will. Essentially what makes a person a "BNF" is visibility. There are many great writers who don't have as much visibility as those that have been deemed a "BNF". Yes, I won't deny that quality of work can affect a person being deemed as such, just that visibility is about 2/3 of what makes a person a "BNF".

As for people disliking "BNF"s... well, sometimes it is assumed that because one is well known, they become a snob. This might be the case some of the time, but certainly not most. Fandom Politics have always bothered me, and there's moments that I wish I was back in lurker status. But then at the same time I wouldn't trade the friendships I've made or the experiences I've had.

For the "Whee" factor... I think we just all like recieving feedback from people we read. It makes things feel less one sided. And I go "Wheee! So-and-so!" No matter who it is. It's the whole "Whee! Candy!" thing.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Thank goodness, someone else doesn't get this.

Sometimes it is assumed that because one is well known, they become a snob. This might be the case some of the time, but certainly not most.

*nods* It's not quite fair, but if people have no contact with someone I guess it's pretty easy to fill in the blanks.

Yeah... the visibility factor, that makes sense. It's true, I feel the same way when someone I know reviews me, that's true.

Icarus

[tehlils.livejournal.com]

Even when you have contact with someone, you can fill in the blanks. It's just a matter of realizing that you can't judge a book by its cover. Unless you have extended one on one out of the public eye interaction with someone, you can't tell what they're really like. And even then you can't always tell. People are tricksey, even when they don't intend to be.

The same goes with anything. Brand name sell because of their visibility more than their quality. If a brand name, big product sold based off of quality alone. Well there would be plenty of goods that wouldn't be brand names. We live in an advertisement heavy world where everything revolves around visibility.