Can Fandom Ruin a Work?

[FakeGeekGirl]

So, having just had a couple of really infuriating encounters with very obnoxious members of a fandom for a work that I was sort of interested in and now have zero interest in, I was thinking about all of the times I had that reaction when dealing with a work. I have something of a hype aversion anyway, and once I encounter someone being a jerk about that fandom it dims my interest significantly.

Does anyone else have this experience? Are there works you avoid because the fandom is obnoxious, or can you enjoy the work despite it? If you still enjoy the work but avoid the fandom, does it diminish your enjoyment of the work in any way?

[The Romulan Republic]

I don't think so.

A work can arguably ruin a fandom, though. For example, I contend that The Dresden Files is partially responsible for undermining the Harry Potter fandom (not that it wasn't a cluster fuck in any case), because so many Harry Potter fan fic authors obviously borrow from TDF, even when it doesn't fit the Potterverse at all.

[MadAmosMalone]

I don't know if it ruins a work for me. I was a Star Trek fan from the age of six and have met many many fans of the franchise. Some are great, others aren't worth the protein they're printed on. Same goes for Doctor Who, Star Wars, Alien, Stargate and many other franchises where I'm also a fan. I haven't met anyone from the B5, Red Dwarf, B7 or The Expanse fandoms that I would consider obnoxious but that may be because, as less-widely-known series, there are fewer fans out there to encounter. Or it could be I don't get out that much.

[technobabbler]

Annoying yes, ruin no.

One of the running gags at Redlettermedia is how Star Wars fandom ruins the franchise as Hollywood churns out fan service instead of pushing the boundaries of the franchise.

SFDebris' Voyager "Alliances" review mentioned the same thing.

Star Trek Discovery is the same way. 1/3 of fandom wants TOS, 1/3 wants TNG, 1/3 wants something new. STD comes out, someone is bound to be unhappy.

I do get annoyed by "canon fundamentalism" For example, disapproval with STD retconning TOS design styles. Or how some people couldn't just retcon smooth-head Klingons v. ridged-Klingons as a 1960's budget choice. Nope, it had to be explained by the (in my opinion) lame Enterprise Augment virus subplot.

[Madner Kami]

Annoying yes, ruin no.

One of the running gags at Redlettermedia is how Star Wars fandom ruins the franchise as Hollywood churns out fan service instead of pushing the boundaries of the franchise.

SFDebris' Voyager "Alliances" review mentioned the same thing.

Star Trek Discovery is the same way. 1/3 of fandom wants TOS, 1/3 wants TNG, 1/3 wants something new. STD comes out, someone is bound to be unhappy.

I do get annoyed by "canon fundamentalism" For example, disapproval with STD retconning TOS design styles. Or how some people couldn't just retcon smooth-head Klingons v. ridged-Klingons as a 1960's budget choice. Nope, it had to be explained by the (in my opinion) lame Enterprise Augment virus subplot.

There's nothing wrong with making an asset out of such changes, instead of leaving it lingering around. Whether it's a liability or an asset, is entirely down to the writers and producers though.

[FakeGeekGirl]

I'd say it can only ruin it for me if I wasn't that into it in the first place, and it can annoy the heck out of me if it was something I love.

I am currently having a lot of nerd rage at some fellow Trekkies over them whining that Michael and her captain supposedly broke the prime directive by saving those people by rerouting their water, and it's not the first time I've been really put out with certain members of that fandom. And the Harry Potter fandom drove me absolutely batty even though I love HP and grew up with it.

A lot of times I'll just avoid the fandom (like for Harry Potter, unfortunately) but since I love discussing fan theories and interpretations and reading / writing fanfiction, that takes a lot of the fun out of it for me.

[Robovski]

You can appreciate works of art despite the author/artist let alone that fan base being godawful. You just can't engage with the community in any way unless you are a masochist.

[King of the owls]

In my personal opinion no, not really. Yes fandoms will always have those people in them(and sometimes sadly those people can be popular or well liked in the fandom.) and I can certainly understand if some people might choose to never interact with a fandom of a work they like because of how that fandom acts.
But I don't think a fandom can ruin a work. Fandom can be awful,awful places yes but they're also very fluid. There's no rule that says "You either must interact with the entire fandom or never interact with a fandom at all!" You just need to find people that like the work and you get along with and well talk about the work. Whether it be recommending fanfics or talk fan theories or talking your favorite character. Fandom is what you make it so if it's only interacting with the level headed people then so it be.

Regarding a fandom ruining your interest in a show though? I try not let a fandom discourage me from trying a work I'm interested in since well it's not the creator's fault a fandom is insane. They shouldn't have to parent a fandom. However I do admit a obnoxious fandom can be a slight turn off in some cases.

[MadAmosMalone]

...but since I love discussing fan theories and interpretations and reading / writing fanfiction, that takes a lot of the fun out of it for me.

I think this is the real crux of the matter. Part of being a "fan" is enjoying the discussion with others about the object of our fandom. Whether that part is a significant enough factor for you to enjoy the subject of the fandom is the issue. Take away that sense of fandom "community" and you might enjoy the subject less. Am I close?

Before the Internet, all you had were friends, family, co-workers and sometimes maybe people you would meet at the Cons. Today, on the other hand, the fandom community is a much wider experience. My wife and I met on a message board not unlike this one and it was Stargate SG1 that brought us together. During our time on that message board, we also met some really great people. We, sadly, also met some real @$$holes too.

I think, for you, maybe the solution is to just lurk for a while only decloaking when you really are moved to comment on something. Alternatively, when you find someone who does share a worthwhile point of view you might send them a PM to let them know you appreciate what they said. That way you don't even hafta expose yourself to those who you find objectionable.

[FakeGeekGirl]

Thanks Amos, I think that's great input. I know at least a couple of people who really like the work in question who are definitely not assholes so I could always just limit discussions / requests for fanfic recs to them, then maybe to others as I put feelers out and figure out how to avoid the annoying minority.