Comedy that relies on self-deprecation is funny and appeals to me very strongly, but it’s a bit of a balancing act and it always seems to come from a place of the speaker’s real distain for themselves.
I feel like Dan’s new video was not balanced; it was funny, but in a way that was far too biting, enough so that I was unwilling to be as amused as I was. Dan has always had a measure of self-hate, but he seemed like he was doing so well these last few years. He seemed happier, braver, and a little more comfortable with himself. He has grown, so much, and I hate to think that he feels he has not.
Usually, he gets our sense of humor, but this was different. Somehow the fans overlooked his accomplishments, and sometimes it did seem like they were laughing at him instead of with him. The Danisnotonfire viewership was founded on commonality: we were all weirdos that felt kinship with him; when we laughed at Dan we laughed at ourselves. It feels like that is no longer true of many of his fans. Maybe that’s a product of the fandom’s expansion. Whatever the reason, this fandom can be horribly mocking and unforgiving.
This video dipped too far into self-deprecation, it was like a verbal flagelation. I am so disappointed in the fandom. I feel such genuine pride and affection for this man and I’ve been repeatedly amazed by what he’s accomplished, by how much he’s grown, that it both astounds and wounds me to see people that are not proud of him.
