A study in fan supply and demand.

[mandolin]

So after I ranted recently about readers who decide to verbally abuse fan artists/writers to get a new part of a story/comic/whatever, utukki got a flame that really takes the cake in that respect... and it got me thinking.

There's this disturbing tendency in feedback lately... people who don't merely ask for new parts, but those who resort to screaming and verbal abuse when they don't get a new part of a fanfic or webcomic.

Now I'm not going to reprise my rant from the author's perspective. What boggles the mind is the sheer lapse of logic that leads to this behavior - people seem to think that when they scream or verbally abuse someone, the author will feel MORE obligated to accommodate them.

This behavior occasionally works in the customer service industry (in the interest of shutting annoying customers up), but when it comes to free fan creations, it doesn't hold water. I mean, come ON, people: if you call someone a lazy bitch and demand that they post a new part of something that they do not HAVE to be writing/drawing/posting anyway, you're going to get one of the following reactions:

1) Hysterical laughter.
2) The author will look at the message, dismiss you as a fruitcake and go on with his/her daily existence.
3) Usually, and mostly when the author IS working on the project in question, he/she will be LESS inclined to accommodate you - and the new part you've been frothing at the mouth over will be delayed even LONGER.

Makes sense, right? I mean, since this isn't the author's career, he/she reserves the right to ignore people who scream and insult. And if dangling works-in-progress make you so angry... don't read 'em.

But I keep seeing people who seem like otherwise intelligent beings resorting to insults and screaming and verbal abuse when something isn't updated. I've seen that, freaked, and e-mailed the author with POSITIVE encouragement for fear that the nasty screeching twit might ruin it for the rest of us otherwise.

I want to look into this. If I can get a hold of a couple people who have done this and who'd be willing to CALMLY explain themselves, I'd like to trace this behavior to its roots. Is it only a certain age group? Are people who work full-time themselves more or less inclined to do this?

I understand the frustration, but - I myself have seen this behavior kill WIPs that I've been waiting for as well. It's essentially shooting oneself in the foot, and some of these people HAVE to realize this on some level...

*sigh*

Comments

[athersgeo.livejournal.com]

As someone who works full time, writes and even (gasp!) occasionally has a social life, the LAST thing I would ever consider doing is unleashing my temper in a prolonged whine/rant/bitch session over a WIP because I know that people have other/different demands on their time and it really isn't like anyone's being paid to write these. (Ahh if only!) Having said that, I do get a little irritated if the author concerned has been a regular poster, then vanishes for a lengthy period and returns without so much as an apology - a little communication never hurts and it does *seem* (in my experience) to keep most of the wolves off your back - but, when all's said and done, the author didn't have to return at all, so the most I'd ever comment would maybe be a 'welcome back'.

[marielogan.livejournal.com]

Having been raised by my English Major, English teaching, and very artistic ma, I know exactly what you mean.

Would be very interesting, like you say, to know what makes otherwise sane people suddenly become so hysterical - and unfortunately, ruin it for those who are waiting.

[jennies.livejournal.com]

I think , perhaps, it all has to do with the basic personality quirks of your typical flamer. In theory, what sets flamers apart from intelligent human beings is that, instead of posting a coherent review with constructive criticism or at least honest opninion, flamers tend to yell and screech, and seldom back up their rants. For example, a piece might be well-written, but have absolutely *atrocious* grammar. Is this a sin worthy of hanging? Well, no - but it is something that takes away from the story, and as such, is something one might want to bring before the author's attention. There are things like spell- and grammar-check, proof/beta readers, etc., that could in theory help them fix this sort of thing, after all, and your courteous readers would phrase their review and grammar-criticism in a form of weakness -> reason -> possible solutions as above. A flamer, on the other hand, tends to write something more along the lines of "OMG teh grammar in this SUCKS!!!'.

Why? Because flamers are vile little cretins that can't be bothered to speak to people with anything even remotely approaching respect. The 'net gives them a feeling of anonymity. After all, no one is going to call their mom or bury them in the sandbox for saying things online they'd never dream of uttering in the actual *presence* of the author. Like the person that cuts you off, locks you behind slow traffic, and flips you off on the highway, Anonymous Man believes he will face no consequences for his actions, and therefore ignores all pretenses of civility and manners.

...Then again, that's just my take on things. Your screaming reviewers might just be that - individuals with the mental prowress of a two-year-old, throwing verbal tantrums in the mistaken belief that anything but a sound paddling will come of this behavior.

[leiza.livejournal.com]

Yep, just thinking about The Geek Forums and people who are demanding more walkthroughs, I know what you're talking about. But I'm just glad that it's not been too extensive nowadays. :)