Shady Thoughts: Tolerance in Fandom: an Endangered Specie?

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Title:	"Shady Thoughts: Tolerance in Fandom: an Endangered Specie?" (Yes, "specie" is spelled that way.)
Creator:	Mary Jean Holmes
Date(s):	Summer 1982
Medium:	print
Fandom:	Star Wars
Topic:
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Shady Thoughts: Tolerance in Fandom: an Endangered Specie? is a 1982 essay by Mary Jean Holmes.

The topics are the hierarchy of fans and the disrespect for certain kinds of fans and fandoms. While the idea is the same, the term Geek Hierarchy wasn't invented until 2002. The essay is also a rant against old fans being unable to change and embrace new things.

It was printed in Shadowstar #7 and is part of the Shady Thoughts essay series.

From the Essay

To be blunt, I'm disgusted.

When I first became involved in science fiction fandom, I was struck by the uncanny open-mindedness most SF fans displayed. After living twenty years of my life surrounded by the narrowness of high-school mentality, retail ambitions and, in general, pedestrian bigotry, SF fans were a refreshing change. In their circles, those who'd been considered somehow below-standard in mundane social circles were accepted, without question. The questing mind wasn't looked down upon, simply because the body it was trapped in was be neath the typical definition of "beautiful." Imagination and thought and sheer inquisitiveness were paramount. SF fans were willing to listen to anyone, debate anything, accept an thing. It was heaven on earth.

As in other things, that heaven became tarnished. And this particular Nirvana, which has been — in my eyes — sorely tainted before has been so touched again.

I speak of a sudden upsurge of intolerance in SF fandom. Several issues ago, I spoke of it in fiction writing and fanzines. Since then, I've become appalled to see it spread to the fans themselves.

To wit:

A major convention art show that wanted to ban all media art.

A masquerade chairman who intended to ban all media and medieval costumes from competing, simply because she wanted a "classy" and "impressive" production.

A convention chairman who wanted to drive those fan interest groups he personally disapproved of away, who wanted to actively discourage their attendance, despite the fact the convention itself was sorely in need of capital.

Hucksters who want to ban anything but books and classic SF magazines from Dealer's Rooms.

Persons who are offended by the institution — for simple, basic reasons of fairness -- of a Media category in a convention art show.

Right now, it's media and the SCA which are considered anathema. Suddenly, to the thinking of some older -- and, unfortunately, politically influential — fans, these things are pariah. They threaten their status quo, and seem, in these narrow minds, to endanger fandom as these people knew it, and want to keep it. They seek to stomp these newcomers out before they take over and move fandom into a new era. They fight anything smacking of change. For certain, they argue — pointless bickerings and debates they see as "stimulating" — and condemn the enthusiasm of the young.

Oh, I personally believe that change for its own sake isn't desirable. But then again, exerting censorship in order to prevent natural change is even worse. So many new fans are more oriented towards SF in the media than in the old books — so what?

The average neofan is younger than before, and the films and TV shows they — and many older fans — love have greater depth, better characters, better stories, and — granted -- more captivating visual and artistic effects than those I grew up withe The fear of those elder fans that fandom will become illiterate is unfounded, a load of unmitigated bull. Those young fans I know, especially the very young, are encouraged and inspired to read classic SF of their love for those films. And it's a proven fact among educators that comic books can be used as an effective tool to help slow learners improve their reading skills. What in the name of God is wrong with that?

If I can possibly help it, it will remain so. I intend to fight this injustice to the bitter end, if I must. Because it won't stop here. Today, it's the media and the medieval. Tomorrow, it'll be fantasy. Or space opera. Or individual authors...

Fan Comments

I agree with your editorial in #7. I'm as much a fan of straight SF as of Media, and I think this arrogance is absurd. Especially when one considers that the "mundane" (I really hate that term) population is so arrogant towards SF fans in general. It bothers those of us who read SF to have the general populace consider it juvenile; therefore, we should not turn around and do the same to Media fans .

It wasn't until Chicon IV that I became aware of the division between book fen and media fen. I was shocked. Like you, I have always maintained that fandom was "big" enough in every sense of the word to accept and include everyone who has an interest in science fiction and fantasy. I'll fight alongside you. Where do I enlist?