99% of the "discourse" I see in this fandom is not discourse, it is an argument.
Discourse is trying to figure out what to do about a popular creator being outed/accused of being (insert bad thing) or something of a similar level.
Getting annoyed that another person doesn't share a veiw of a character, then choosing to vague post about it for that person to respond is in fact a petty argument (possibly a heated one but still an argument).
Just disagreeing on a character, in a way that isn't immediately devolved into accusations or just being an ass to the other person is call a Debate or a Conversation or a Disagreement.
These are normal to have, and should be had for a fandom to develop media literacy skills, immediately choosing to devolve into a petty argument about it is both immature and rude to literally every in said fandom.
I see this confusion so much in this fandom, and it genuinely confuses me when:
1. other blogs feel the need to comment on a argument. Because No this is not a conversation about The Media or The Character that needs to be defended, this is 2 people choosing to be rude to eachother for no reason. Don't engage? Your adding yourself to the argument and also being rude for no reason? "I can defuse-" no you won't? When has having more people in an argument helped? Why is it your job to interject? Why can't both parties stop being toddlers and either block eachother or grow up?
2. People immediately taking everything they see about The Character or The Media that they personally don't agree with as a personal attack. Again: the characters are not real people and no author is above critique. Harrassment is not okay, yes, but then REPORT AND BLOCK! If it's just someone disagreeing with you (one their own post or yours), if you feel the need to add something, do so in a way that opens conversation not an argument. And if you don't know how to do that: You need to go back to real life, get off the internet, touch grass, and talk to real human begins.
3. People calling every small argument a large one? Dude a reblog chain is a tiny argument. That is NOTHING. A large argument spans like 20 posts, several DMs, and normally ends with at least someone getting reported.
4. A large argument =/= discourse. Discourse is caused mainly by accusations and un-ignoreable events, claims, statements, and/or photos that the community cannot move on from. An argument about a character is not Discourse, Grooming allegations (as sadly this is the main one) IS.
I find people in the KOTLC fandom tend to take it way more seriously then you should. I don't mean the source material (as again it is a book series someone is profiting off of and therefore fully open to criticism), but the fandom as a whole. People's posts about The Character do. not. matter. It is NOT that deep- for them it may be, but man if it ruins your day block and move on. Take a peice of media as seriously as you want, but as soon as you take the fandom seriously you become part of the toxic blobs from TikTok ruining shit.
"Discourse can be a personal argument-" no. It can't. Personal arguments over FANDOM are DUMB and IMMATURE. DM or @ someone if your speaking about them, or just fucking block them. Discourse is UNAVOIDABLE PROMBLEMS or ALLIGATIONS made towards something within the fandom that CANNOT be ignored that results in people taking sides (Literally every creator in the DSMPs allegations, the entire Mr. Beast crew situation, allegations against gooseworx, etc). It doesn't matter if the allegations/problems are true/real, it matters that people CANNOT MOVE ON until its resolved (either because it involves bigotry or is a criminal offense).
A petty argument is a petty argument, stop making it more then it is and grow tf. Sick of this stupid bullshit man. You can have debate and discussions without becoming an angry toddler about the fact that another angry toddler did the wrong voice for your barbie.
Follow the golden rule of old fandom:
"Tolerate everything but Intolerance" AKA don't be a fucking prick or a bigot and you can do what you want.
Genuinely needs to get through somw of your head holy fuck
prguitarman
discoholicmusic
ellievsbear
amandla
