The fandom isn't the PROBLEM...*edit*

That's right. This fandom, isn't the problem. But a part of it is us. Yea, that's right, us. I am so SICK and TIRED of seeing a journal every few weeks or so that claims " The Sonic fandom sucks " Well y'know what. It's our own fault . You know why, you just haven't thought about it hard enough yet.

I am not referring to young kids who just entered the fandom and are too young to understand. And no I am not referring to anyone who seems to have a bitter attitude toward the direction that the franchise is going in and as a result become angry about it. They can be bitter for all I care. Eventually they'll get tired of being angry.

I'm referring to anyone who is mature enough with the capacity to carry themselves as an adult and constantly complain about trolls, drama, or how this fandom so called sucks. 1st, you are talking about the FANBASE, not the fandom. A fandom is a subculture that is formed and characterized on the basis of a group of people that happen to share a common interest. That is a FANDOM, the FANBASE it the supporters/enthusiasts that are inside and support the FANDOM.

Just as Grunge music style is a subculture of music, it has it's fanbase, but it's fans aren't known as grunge are they. Yet people refer to the sonic fans as the fandom. Either way, people complaining should know that they are part of the problem.

How about I give a run-down of why this is so. You wanna know why it's so bad? Because we let it be and progress that way.

Assholes exist in any fandom. They make sure that if they see anything or anyone they don't like, they put them down, insult them, try to make them feel as cruddy and un-intelligent as possible. Now aside from that being true, there is a large percentage of those kinds of people in this particular fandom. Why do you think that is? BECAUSE WE LET THEM IN. Don't see how yet? Alright, i'll explain why.

You see, these people know they get attention this way or just don't give a fuck that they are assholes, they just do what they want. They cause drama and spread around trouble, targeting people who CANNOT handle a comment they dislike that was sent to them and Know well that you WILL ANSWER to this drama because they got beef with you.

The shit hits the fan, and it spreads around. Of course here is were trolls come in. They see the attention and commotion it causes, and they realize this fandom is the perfect opportunity to do what they do best, TROLL PEOPLE. When all this shit goes down, it's no wonder it attracts trolls.

They realize this particular fandom and the way people have let it become is a goldmine for them to piss on whomever they please.

These negative individuals/trolls know that they WILL get the best of you with the drama, their actions, their silly little comments. It makes artists leave because they can't handle this stupid little shenanigans/ rumors and ignore it. If you ignore the drama journals and block/report comments of harassment, over time there is a good chance that the trolls will go away.

( Now I can't sit here and say that all of them will quit trolling because putting bluntly i'd be bullshitting you. But I can say some will eventually quit bothering you. It's better than doing nothing or raging at them.) Just have some patience. They will take advantage of anyone who wants page-views or to be popular and use it to make us look bad.

You should also seriously quit complaining about who is whoring around for pageviews. Popularity is superficial, why should we give care if they want to be popular????
If someone wants their fan-character with a huge jiggling ass and obnoxious sized tits, why the hell not? Let them do it. It's their own choice to be fake...or genuinely like to draw big asses and boobs, some people really like that. It isn't affecting you or killing you is it? I sure couldn't care less. If you just casually go about your daily ways on Deviantart, and not rage a trolls, just block and report and ignore drama journals, you will find it is SO MUCH EASIER to put up with, especially since your avoiding it and be the bigger person.

In all actuality, we let this happen. And if we keep letting this happen, trolls will continue to do this, knowing they got what they wanted. We leave and fuck up (in a blunt sense), for their enjoyment. It's truly ridiculous. Now if an artist leaves because they can't handle negativity, it's their choice and I won't bash them for it.

All it does is add fuel to the fire. I can understand if REAL LIFE problems actually are causing you to leave. Everyone has the right to put their real life problems and priorities before any of their computer related ones.

The only thing that has to do with the " sonic fandom sucking " it because it just so happens that we are artists who enjoy sonic. If we were all final fantasy fans, we'd be saying the final fantasy fandom sucks....well what fucking difference does it make?????? NONE WHATSOEVER. We like a blue anthropromorphic (well....sorta), talking hedgehog. Is that so bad?

What kind of people are we if we let constant little things that are only relevant behind a computer screen get to us on a daily basis? Is it crucial in our lives? Will it kill you to ignore a comment that was directed to you in a negative way, or if you do respond, blow up about it?

Ask yourself...will it go away if we react in a negative way? No. All it does is make us a pathetic bunch of kids who don't know how to get up off the ground when were kicked. If your so sick and tired of tasting dirt, then why do you continue to lie down and take it? The only to get up and get through it is to just refuse to give in.

You see the fandom became this way because we let it. Every fandom as a group of dickheads, but the only fandoms that suck are the ones where the fans themselves are the cause of attention.

Since when does sonic have to do with anything sucking? As you see, all it takes is a little more willpower and some self control. Hopefully this will be spread around throughout this fandom, and people will get the message. I want this place to not have a bad rap and have realization it will suck if we let it suck.

Spread this message around, because we shouldn't be blaming the fandom but ourselves . If you agree with me, you'll post this journal on your page and maybe spread around some common sense because I can say this group sure is lacking in it.

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*Edit* I put a little more into it a covered a few people to get across the understanding i'm not attacking anyone here and that not everyone is guilty or should be guilty of this. I can say I have been guilty of this before and i'll own up to it. I'm not perfect.


To anyone who doesn't do this, I am sorry if this has offended you in anyway. This journal is in no way directed to anyone in particular, just spreading a message that's need to be said for quite some time. This is my message, I will back it up, and I refuse to back down.

I thank anyone who agrees and shares their support. If someone has a different opinion and feels the need to express it, then do it.

I respect that you have different views, but please don't come here trying to prove me wrong because this its only an opinion. I know it sounds like i'm stating it in a matter-of-fact manner but I choose to tackle this touchy subject they way I did regardless of whom chooses to believe it or not. If you respect my views then i'll respect yours.

I never said I was right anyways. I just think it needs to be said regardless of whether this actually does something or not. My efforts here may be pointless, but i'm tired of sitting by watching this happen everyday. At least respect that i'm aware of what i'm getting into.