Posted:
@MaryBarton
I completely relate to your points.
I have faced similar situation at forums related to a specific Bollywood star where time to time I was either called a hater or questioned if I was a fan, hater or a "spy from a rival fan group"! Here on IF also whenever I post in Bollywood forum people keep examining me or asking me if I am a fan or hater or keep guessing whose fan I am and always seem to suspect some agenda behind my posts.
I have faced issues in Balika Vadhu forum also where a simple thread calling for members to make peace was locked away and reported. Earlier I was called negative simply for criticising the CVs for handling a particular track in a lousy way. And even now I am facing a barrage of "reported" messages or called a hater and other names for simply criticising a cheap act of one of its male leads.
The same people like your posts and shower with "I agree" replies if they like what you wrote. But the sae people suddenly call you negative or doubt you either as a hater or fan if they dislike what you write.
It happened with me on this forum too though I was not reported or something. But some member did ask me exasperatedly if I even watched the show or not that I was commenting on it.
So I can understand your point about forum and fan club.
I think IF is an open forum and not merely an FC so people have the right to criticise the show or its any aspect as long as they do it respectfully. On BV forum we even did a lot of spoofs, mockery and sarcasm on certain characters we felt were behaving wrong. In those days, fans of those characters also used to take those threads in right spirit instead of hitting Report button at once.
I guess people are becoming more intolerant now and increasinly sensitive and kind of fanatical about their favoured shows and characters/actors of late which I feel is an unfortunate thing.
I feel one annot always be just a fan or plain hater. And I react to everyone on basis of each action they do each day so I may praise someone to heights one day and may criticise a lot and even mock the other day if I happen to dislike something or feel disappointed with CVs or actors.
All I can say is that freedom of expression should be allowed and harsh reaction should be there only if one has used dirty abusive language.
And there is no need to take any actor, makers or characters so personally that every word is taken either for or against them!
I've always said that across other forums on this site and other sites and I'll say this again - that if one is indifferent one does not comment or bother at all and lets things go as they are. One comments in appreciation if one really likes something and offers criticism or suggestions only if one is genuinely interested or concerned about a show/film/artiste/director etc. Like they say in Hindi, Aap naraaz bhi apnon se hi hoten hain.
You get disappointed only with those from whom you expect something in first place.
So if we say something people should first see if it is indeed bashing or genuine criticism.
I also feel self conscious and quit some forums or add lot of apologies and clarifications in advance so that people do not misunderstand me and no personal attacks or fights ensue.
But I feel members who do not just praise and do express criticism or disappointment frankly should also be given freedom to express themselves without pressure of possible backlash.
I request people to be tolerant and open minded and avoid labelling others instantly as fans or haters. And mods (not just here but everywhere) we al know you wear a crown of thorns and your job is damn tough but please request members to be tolerant distinguish between bashing and sincere criticism and don't just lock threads just because there is a barrage of reports by certain fans!
We all use IF to convey our genuine feedback to makers of the show and have meaningful discussions with other members interested in the show.
Let's keep it that way instead of an "us vs them" most of the time.
I completely relate to your points.
I have faced similar situation at forums related to a specific Bollywood star where time to time I was either called a hater or questioned if I was a fan, hater or a "spy from a rival fan group"! Here on IF also whenever I post in Bollywood forum people keep examining me or asking me if I am a fan or hater or keep guessing whose fan I am and always seem to suspect some agenda behind my posts.
I have faced issues in Balika Vadhu forum also where a simple thread calling for members to make peace was locked away and reported. Earlier I was called negative simply for criticising the CVs for handling a particular track in a lousy way. And even now I am facing a barrage of "reported" messages or called a hater and other names for simply criticising a cheap act of one of its male leads.
The same people like your posts and shower with "I agree" replies if they like what you wrote. But the sae people suddenly call you negative or doubt you either as a hater or fan if they dislike what you write.
It happened with me on this forum too though I was not reported or something. But some member did ask me exasperatedly if I even watched the show or not that I was commenting on it.
So I can understand your point about forum and fan club.
I think IF is an open forum and not merely an FC so people have the right to criticise the show or its any aspect as long as they do it respectfully. On BV forum we even did a lot of spoofs, mockery and sarcasm on certain characters we felt were behaving wrong. In those days, fans of those characters also used to take those threads in right spirit instead of hitting Report button at once.
I guess people are becoming more intolerant now and increasinly sensitive and kind of fanatical about their favoured shows and characters/actors of late which I feel is an unfortunate thing.
I feel one annot always be just a fan or plain hater. And I react to everyone on basis of each action they do each day so I may praise someone to heights one day and may criticise a lot and even mock the other day if I happen to dislike something or feel disappointed with CVs or actors.
All I can say is that freedom of expression should be allowed and harsh reaction should be there only if one has used dirty abusive language.
And there is no need to take any actor, makers or characters so personally that every word is taken either for or against them!
I've always said that across other forums on this site and other sites and I'll say this again - that if one is indifferent one does not comment or bother at all and lets things go as they are. One comments in appreciation if one really likes something and offers criticism or suggestions only if one is genuinely interested or concerned about a show/film/artiste/director etc. Like they say in Hindi, Aap naraaz bhi apnon se hi hoten hain.
You get disappointed only with those from whom you expect something in first place.
So if we say something people should first see if it is indeed bashing or genuine criticism.
I also feel self conscious and quit some forums or add lot of apologies and clarifications in advance so that people do not misunderstand me and no personal attacks or fights ensue.
But I feel members who do not just praise and do express criticism or disappointment frankly should also be given freedom to express themselves without pressure of possible backlash.
I request people to be tolerant and open minded and avoid labelling others instantly as fans or haters. And mods (not just here but everywhere) we al know you wear a crown of thorns and your job is damn tough but please request members to be tolerant distinguish between bashing and sincere criticism and don't just lock threads just because there is a barrage of reports by certain fans!
We all use IF to convey our genuine feedback to makers of the show and have meaningful discussions with other members interested in the show.
Let's keep it that way instead of an "us vs them" most of the time.
Shiv Shakti
