If you want stories that actually delight and enthral and capture you they have to have the freedom to do their own thing - the power to surprise - and yes, that means that you won't like some of them That's the bargain you make every time and you *have* to be okay with that

I don’t understand why entertainment outlets write and re-write that “toxic fandom” article without ever going deep on the fact that 90% of the time, heat isn’t coming from “fandom,” it’s coming from right-wing political groups injecting far-right ideas into highly visible subcultures. It’s an op.

Additionally, much of this toxic “fan” activity is completely inauthentic: for profit right wing grifting, and even, in some cases, paid propaganda funded by bad actors such as Russia (as in the case of Lauren Chen, whose unhinged reactions to Acolyte I watched before her funding source was exposed)

AIhugobookclub.bsky.socialOct 3, 2024 6:12pm

Must-read of the day: variety.com/2024/tv/news...

Toxic Fandom: How Hollywood Is Battling Fans Who Are ‘Just Out For Blood’ — From Social Media Boot Camps to Superfan Focus Groups

The threat of toxic fandoms — from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings to Bridgerton and Game of Thrones — has become an intractable headache for almost every studio.

Back in the 90s Holiday Barbie only came in White and Black versions. And now: 90s vintage Dolls of the World Chinese Barbie x Winter Fantasy dress = a little more diversity on the holiday shelf.

@thistleburr.bsky.social do you concur with this theory

Soundwave's day out. What other critters are out there roaming the surface of Cybertron

PayPal is updating their ToS to let themselves give your data to merchants starting in November and they're certainly banking on people not knowing to opt out, SO to opt out before they start: go to Settings > Data & Privacy > Manage shared info > Personalized shopping, and toggle that shit off

Will Ferrell is obviously not a regular Joe but I really think his doc is the trajectory for the average American on trans people: you’ve got a friend who explained their personal deal to you and because you’re friends you cared

the same way it worked for gay people and later gay marriage - so many folks think “it’s weird” until it’s someone they know and care for and it’s why the bigots are so determined to drive trans people out of public life, so nobody has a chance to come to that realization

I don't care about celebrity de...oh. Oh fuck.