(no subject)

[sakon76]

Ponderings while embroidering this evening ran along the lines of fanfic taboos.

SailorMac posted recently in her LJ that she'd opened a can of worms via an inquiry about RPS (real person slash). Myself, I don't understand why anime fanfic fandom is so afraid of it. I've written a little RPS and then stopped, mostly because I just didn't have the drive for it. This in and of itself I don't feel is a condemnation--there are many fandoms out there I don't have the drive to fanfic. I feel no call to write fanfic about novels (Harry Potter), movies (Pirates of the Caribbean), or TV series (Buffy). The fandom I write for is, in fact, pretty narrow: anime and manga.

Why is RPS considered so inherently bad? It's not as if anyone pretends these are the real people. (Well, there may be, but such individuals would not be in touch with reality no matter what.) Is it a problem with disrespect/confusion of reality? That I can maybe see. But still, there are many wonderful, talented RPS writers out there whose work I critically and non-critically adore. The "cup of coffee" that jump-starts my week is reading the newest installment in Matthew Haldeman-Time's boy band RPS series "Living." I consider it a work that teaches me something with every single chapter, whether it be a lesson on social dynamics, a demonstration of rock-solid faith, or simply an opening of my eyes to a new way to view the world.

RPS can be good too.

Comments

[sailormac.livejournal.com]

I think it's considered taboo mainly because of the "invasion of privacy" factor. Of course, there's also the question about how much right to privacy a public figure *has*. Which is, I believe, the heart of the RPS controversy.

I had NO idea it was *that* much of a hot button issue. When I asked that question on Fanficrants, I expected a few essays on the pros and cons. I did NOT expect a flame war that was destined for fandom_wank.

As to people who believe RPS is *real* -- have you ever heard of the Domlijahs? This is a group that believes two of the actors who played the Lord of the Rings hobbits are *actually* sleeping together, are being oppressed by "evil PR people" and send "shoutouts" to their "true believers" through, among other things, color-coded clothing. They light candles in hopes that their "true love" can at last be brought to light. The fandom_wankers even started a community just for monitoring the activity of the Domlijahs: http://www.journalfen.net/community/dl_anon/

[sakon76.livejournal.com]

Have heard of them. They're part of that "not in touch with reality, no matter what" section I was thinking of.