Muggles. Gotta live with 'em.

[amanuensis1]

Whoa, are we all really that upset over that article in The Guardian about Lumos? I didn't find it negative, really; the article's written by someone who is not only NOT a fan but admits she hasn't even read the books or seen the films ("Well...some of them"). She's not a fannish type at all. She's gone into it frankly baffled by the whole concept of fans who sink into their medium so deeply. She is, to belabor the obvious, a classic mundane (which is what we called 'em before Rowling got Muggle into the OED). And she observes, and there's an air of "okay, this remains distant and odd to me," but, gosh, me, I don't expect anything else from mundanes. I thought the piece was presented with a reasonably neutral "not for me, and some of it's definitely strange to me, but, wow, there's a lot of devotion and variety here" air.

Given that the article didn't purport to be a detached record of the event, I think we got lucky that she didn't shriek "weirdoes weirdoes weirdoes!" all through it. Maybe some of you feel she did? Because she doesn't think Snape/Hermione is so much about empowering women as it is titillation? Because she thought some of the discussions/topics were lame or unfounded? Because the idea of HP bestiality got to her? Shoot, I think we got off light. And she does end on this positive note:

It's all amazing. And seeing anybody, let alone 1,200 people enthused with joy about anything is really quite uplifting. And not just anything. Books! It makes my girlish, swotty heart swell with pride.

Maybe that wasn't enough for fan readers. Perhaps a lot of you feel you've had enough of this kind of "not for me, but, whatever floats your boat" editorializing. Maybe in the same way I don't exactly want to see more films like Brokeback Mountain but rather am waiting for the gay James Bond to unapologetically flaunt the queer all over the screen.

Comments

[lycoris.livejournal.com]

Having had a quick glance through it, it's better than the article the Guardian did last time there was a convention. At least this lady seems to think it's all rather sweet in an odd sense. And she was very impressed about people being happy and loving books which is nice. The last one they thought we were all batshit barking mad. Which pissed me off and no one else seemed to notice!

At least this time, she was going to it and went to the actual conferences. The other lady just had people talk to her and someone was talking happily about Hogwarts/Giant Squid. Which made me howl with rage that anyone was so stupid as to talk to an obvious reporter about the bits of fandom that I think we should keep private. Whereas at least with this one, she went to talks and seemed to enjoy some of them and said nice things! I think it's a nice article and she's being really good about it. And I don't blame her for being a bit freaked out about some aspects. Hell, I'm not big on beastiality and I'm in fandom. And I'm not overly fond of Snape/Hermione either.

Um, this long ramble is actually agreeing. I'll stop there!

[lycoris.livejournal.com]

Although having read some of the comments on here, I can see why some people are very upset. Using real names is a scummy thing to do and if she didn't say she was a reporter before getting stuff out, it's even worse. No wonder someone refused to talk to her saying that the British press has no ethics!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can see why people are Just Not Wanting To Take This S**t Any More, plus the stuff about using names without permission...wouf.