So just because we’re all yelling about rpf (real person fiction & shipping) today
Here’s a metaphor that I think will help some of you.
I’ve never been a big rpf fan, but some of you are, and that’s ok, but I want you to think of it like this. Remember when you were in school, or if you still are in school, when the teacher says you’re allowed to talk quietly while you work? And then there was that one group that keeps shouting and ruins it for everyone because now the whole class needs to be silent? It’s like that.
The teacher telling you to talk quietly? That’s rpf. It’s ok to have and mess around in, just keep it light and respectful or keep it to yourself. The group shouting and ruining it for everyone? That’s the septiplier situation from a couple years back or, if you remember further, the Phan situation even longer ago.
That was when people got too loud, too boisterous, honestly too crazy and it became an unsafe topic. It ruined it for everyone.
So for some people on here, especially the younger people who are just being introduced to all of this, remember that there are boundaries.
For example, I think it’s an unspoken rule to not tag the involved people in your rpf unless they have explicitly stated, in no uncertain terms, that it is ok. It’s just not a comfortable thing for most people.
Tag your posts! Your fics, art, whatever it is you choose to do, tag them appropriately! It’s the same s everything else, some people aren’t comfortable interacting with certain content, and they blacklist and block to help them avoid that. Help them out and tag correctly.
And finally, for those who do not condone rpf and would like to avoid it as much as possible, that’s ok! But be respectful! As long as people aren’t shouting at the real individuals, or tagging them in potentially uncomfortable material, just block quietly and move on. Do not interact, no big deal. As long as they’re not harassing, they’re not hurting anyone.
Also, try not to get offended on behalf of other people. If the involved parties have not said that they are upset or uncomfortable, or even if they’ve said they ARE ok with it, you are not protecting or defending anyone by telling content creators that they’re bad people. That they should stop. Or in extreme cases, threatening death. That’s not ok under any circumstances. This is the first time in a long time I’ve seen such hostility coming from the anti rpf community. I mean I get it, it’s touchy and content creators need to tread lightly on this one, but really, don’t hurt people. You’re not a better person for it.
So stay chill, have fun, but most of all, be respectful. To yourselves, to creators, and especially to the people involved. You’re all people. Please act like it.
