ext_219872 (
crazeyal.livejournal.com) wrote in
dragoncon_lj_archive2012-05-30 11:37 am
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BULLYING. IS. WRONG.
And the community should stand up against it. We've had issues with drunk frat-boys, Nascar fans, and the underbelly of fandom showing it's face. I'd like to shine a light on some Internet drama I've found from the Facebook community.
There is a rising amount of Ghostbusters fan-groups attending both the con and the Parade. The level of costuming has been fantastic and I've personally never had any issue with any member of the various groups that combine at the Parade. Last year we had, I believe 7 Ecto-1's at the con!!
The drama is that one particular group, http://www.gbfans.com , has decided that using Kickstarter for fundraising is somehow wrong and insulting to them. They've started a campaign of harassment and threats because one fan DARED not go by methods they personally approve.
I found the issue on the FB page of Dragoncon (edit: Either the OP or the owner of the page has removed the post) and their own forum topic, where it contains threats and justification for bullying. A now locked thread where the Moderator espouses "Kicking people around" because they offend you.
As a community, it's my opinion that we should respond to this. That sort of nonsense, online or at the parade, has no place at Dragoncon.
There is a rising amount of Ghostbusters fan-groups attending both the con and the Parade. The level of costuming has been fantastic and I've personally never had any issue with any member of the various groups that combine at the Parade. Last year we had, I believe 7 Ecto-1's at the con!!
The drama is that one particular group, http://www.gbfans.com , has decided that using Kickstarter for fundraising is somehow wrong and insulting to them. They've started a campaign of harassment and threats because one fan DARED not go by methods they personally approve.
I found the issue on the FB page of Dragoncon (edit: Either the OP or the owner of the page has removed the post) and their own forum topic, where it contains threats and justification for bullying. A now locked thread where the Moderator espouses "Kicking people around" because they offend you.
As a community, it's my opinion that we should respond to this. That sort of nonsense, online or at the parade, has no place at Dragoncon.
no subject
When you start inventing reasons to be angry, it's time to take a step back.
What the community decides to do about this situation is not for me to decide. I have not contacted the Dragoncon office, and I just might. My purpose was to expand awareness of a potential problem to a large online group. The Facebook page has a certain limited number of readers, so does this group. The more people who know of a potential problem, the more likely an intervention IF there is a problem. There is also the fact that peer pressure is effective in behavior modification. Some bullies thrive on negative attention. This seemed more like a simple gathering of unpleasant people, egging each other on. In reading other parts of the GB board, they seem like regular fans. I have never called for their exclusion, and unless something changes, I never will.
Now.. people with personal issues and bad communication skills aside... What does the community think we should do? I have my own ideas, but I'd listen to suggestions. My idea, a simple link to the original thread, the FB post and here. Send it to the DC office so they know that a specific group has acted poorly and just notify them of a potential problem. I have tried the traditional method of talking first. It didn't seem like the offending people really GOT it. It really hasn't escalated to anyone needing to be told not to attend on ANY side of this, and I do not think it should. Perhaps DC getting involved and simply saying "Shut up and enjoy the parade" is in order. No exclusions, no drama, just fans and waving at the norms!!
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I am conversing with the LJ portion of the DC fanbase. Nothing is absolute. I do not know everything, and sometimes I like to run things by other like minded folk, to check my perspective.
I have never heard of the 501's dark side before. But if I went to Ren Faire for years and opted out of the SCA due to the constant oppressive drama and politics.. I can easily see that.