Fandom Phases

[The Bard of Banefort]

40 minutes ago, Phylum of Alexandria said:

I guess part of that is due to the fact that the biggest ones became bonafide content creators on Youtube and other platforms, they don't have time or incentives to stay on the forum.

As for BryndenBFish, I don't know the specifics of why he peaced out, but a possibility is not wanting to deal with the toxic fan mob dynamic that any celebrity or quasi-celebrity has to deal with on social media.

Also, once you start a more or less official project like a series dedicated to chapter-by-chapter analysis, the project inevitably becomes a burden and a chore, with fan expectations serving as a little sword of Damocles to rival GRRM's own for the actual series! I notice that Steven Attewell hasn't updated his own project in almost a year. Just sayin...

Not to mention the pressures of parenthood. Maybe Jeff's wife was like "Um...you better help me with these kids or else get a royal taster for your food."

I was referring more to the bloggers on Tumblr/Wordpress/Reddit. If anything, the YouTubers are the ones who are still making ASOIAF content since it earns them money.

[Curled Finger]

Phases, ey?  There was a mystique, a wonderful mysterious sheen to the novels that could only be unlocked in art work, interviews and discussion before there was a program.  That was fun.  We had so little then, but it was everything.  While it was wonderful to see some places, costumes, scenes and characters "come to life" for a while, the deterioration of HBO's story did sand away at that lovely desirous unknowing we had.  Those of use who simply wanted an end, any end, to the long wait for winter were left holding an empty bag of bitter bafflement and regret.  Many of us lost interest in anger for a while.  That was not ASOIAF.  It took time to recall the first love here.  Where else could we turn but our old book club for solace?  

Due to the popularity of the show the book club was full of new fans...who hadn't read the books, were only beginning the books, read only select chapters of the books, were heavily influenced by Youtube producers more than books or in my case, old dejected fans who couldn't keep the scenes from the show and books straight.  It's better now.  Time has passed.  The books once again reign as king in the forum.  We have incredible extraneous tools for research.  But damn, still no new material to discuss.  

I lurked for maybe 2 years before I joined this forum because I was awed by the discussions.  But I had many questions about this story.   But, I was lucky then.   There was a group of posters who went by the handle The Riverlands Web.  They focused on the Riverlands and touted maybe 6 core members and maybe 6 additional contributing members.  They were warm and welcoming and encouraged stupid new readers to come on in and ask questions, like "What is San/San?".  All these years later I am still a fan and because of their careful explanations and kindness I understand an awful lot more about goings on in the Riverlands than I ever would have without them.  I wish there were groups like that now for all the areas.  That was good stuff.   A lot better than "what do you think" or "how should X die" stuff.  I think we are just bored now, honestly.  

[SeanF]

When Tyrion was more popular, there were not a few posters who hoped that eventually Sansa would apologise to him for her "poor treatment" of him, and that they would finish up together.

[LongRider]

34 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

I lurked for maybe 2 years before I joined this forum because I was awed by the discussions.

I too was awed by many of the discussions, re-reads, and some of what was here was literary criticism and analyses that we don't get anymore.  Plus, many of the creators of these types of posts could write very well.  There are still good writers here and I appreciate them for their abilities. 

[Curled Finger]

17 minutes ago, LongRider said:

I too was awed by many of the discussions, re-reads, and some of what was here was literary criticism and analyses that we don't get anymore.  Plus, many of the creators of these types of posts could write very well.  There are still good writers here and I appreciate them for their abilities. 

I'm still awed by a few ideas, though these ideas would be considered cracked pots by the old standards.  But they are interesting even if the premise is discarded from the beginning, kinda helps open my mind some.  I don't miss the X is a Mary Jane topics though.  I would like a return to the open conversations that deep dive into topics related to an OP and last for weeks and really put subjects under a microscope.  Had a few sword conversations with people who make weapons or use them professionally that were so insightful.  Back in the Web days I would watch the conversations and wait for a subject to come up before hesitantly bringing up a question.  I remember wanting to ask about Thoros with LSH.  Sure enough it did eventually come up and I was able to have the opportunity to ask my timid little questions.  I bet 10 of you answered me!  Drew me into your conversation and gave me a voice and platform for my presence here.  I try to welcome every new poster I see because of the way I was treated upon arrival.  A book club shouldn't be a lonely place or an unfriendly place.  It should be a place to learn and grow and read and write better than you did previously.  

[Craving Peaches]

1 minute ago, Curled Finger said:

It should be a place to learn and grow and read and write better than you did previously.  

Reading these books and some of the posts on this forum, especially the wordplay posts, has expanded my vocabulary especially with regards to specialist/antiquated language. Even though most of these new words will not see everyday use, it is still fun/good to know them. Good to debate and discuss as well.

[Curled Finger]

1 minute ago, Craving Peaches said:

Reading these books and some of the posts on this forum, especially the wordplay posts, has expanded my vocabulary especially with regards to specialist/antiquated language. Even though most of these new words will not see everyday use, it is still fun/good to know them. Good to debate and discuss as well.

Ah c'mon Peaches, are you saying you don't bellow out a miserable "What no neeps?" before a holiday dinner?  I called the last grandbaby The Black Dread for a couple of months until the parent put an end to it.  Bastard.  That's good stuff.  It is our secret world we get to share with each other.  Get arcane with your bad self.  

[Hugorfonics]

7 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

I don't miss the X is a Mary Jane topics though.

I think you meant to say Mary Sue, although I'm always down for a conversation about Mary Jane 

[Craving Peaches]

2 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

Ah c'mon Peaches, are you saying you don't bellow out a miserable "What no neeps?" before a holiday dinner?

I actually do use 'neeps' in everyday language. Haggis, neeps and tatties! 

[Curled Finger]

7 minutes ago, Hugorfonics said:

I think you meant to say Mary Sue, although I'm always down for a conversation about Mary Jane 

Now that it's legal here I'm calling it Shade of the Evening.  Come on over.

[Hugorfonics]

5 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

Now that it's legal here I'm calling it Shade of the Evening.  Come on over.

I think we're actually from the same place, we had some NFL discussion last year, or something, which made me think that

[LongRider]

 I had to look up neeps, never having eaten a turnip didn't know what they were and thought they sounded pretty good.  Threatened to make some time, but so far, ummmm not yet.  Being a fan here for so long I will say that I have learned a lot about the structure of novels and that has aided my enjoyment and understanding of books I read.  Foreshadowing, tropes, and more, to the good people here who have shared their knowledge of literature over the years, THANK YOU!

Now if we could just discuss Jon Snow or Arya Stark in peace, ahhh, that would be nice.

[Curled Finger]

Just now, Hugorfonics said:

I think we're actually from the same place, we had some NFL discussion last year, or something, which made me think that

Now that it's legal I don't remember last year.  You don't say haggis or arse, so I think we are both in the US.  Southwestern miserable freaking desert here.  

[Curled Finger]

6 minutes ago, LongRider said:

 I had to look up neeps, never having eaten a turnip didn't know what they were and thought they sounded pretty good.  Threatened to make some time, but so far, ummmm not yet.  Being a fan here for so long I will say that I have learned a lot about the structure of novels and that has aided my enjoyment and understanding of books I read.  Foreshadowing, tropes, and more, to the good people here who have shared their knowledge of literature over the years, THANK YOU!

Now if we could just discuss Jon Snow or Arya Stark in peace, ahhh, that would be nice.

Turnips are great.  I make them with collard greens and onions.  They taste like premium dirt.  

Yah, all I can do is echo your sentiments.  Hell yah and amen to your THANK YOU to those many good people who have shared.  I watch Youtube aplenty.   There are few creators I haven't watched at least a little and few I continue to watch.  While most have fallen by the wayside I find I still enjoy Radio Westeros and Preston Jacobs of the many out there.  They used to post here as many of the others did.  They still manage to entertain me after all this time.   There are some out there who actually started here and amassed followings out there I'm glad are gone because they were disruptive and continue to be.  I'd rather have text thrown at me than a Youtube video any day of the week regardless the state of my consciousness.  

Youtube has changed or influenced this fandom.  I can't say if it is for better or worse but I can say it isn't textual in all cases.  I want to talk books, not show or some video some person made.  Book theory belongs in text in a book club, I think any way.  If you can't take someone else's idea and paraphrase it into something you can discus without posting the video what's the point of the conversation?  This isn't to say some of these ideas aren't worthy of discussion.  I would love to have someone breakdown Crowfood Daughter's stuff in plain linear simple English for me because the little bit I grasp is fascinating.   Hard to sit through stuff for me though.  

[Lord of Oldstones]

Since i started reading books around season five. Series character had effect on how i viewed book character.

I think most character except those that died in early seasons are less liked than before.

I dislike Tyrion and Arya story from Essos so all those Tyrion & Arya worshipping being stopped is great. But their show counterpart have big role for me from being bored of their chapter to hating these two.

I'm one of those not so fond of Dany turned sympathiser after later seasons.

As for FAB, Maegor has more support these days and I too am one of them.

And Jaeherys ,Aegon I, Alysanne all get hated these days. I for one  disliked Alysanne ever since FAB release for stealing Northern land for watch.

 

 

Edited March 30 by Lord of Oldstones

[Hugorfonics]

37 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

Now that it's legal I don't remember last year

Lol. It always seemed so inevitable and impossible and now that it's here it feels like it's always been (like I remember in HS learning about prohibition and how it didn't work and there were speakeasies on every other block and I raised my hand and I was like, the weed man is on every block too. My teacher didn't believe me, but of course it was true.)

41 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

You don't say haggis or arse, so I think we are both in the US.  Southwestern miserable freaking desert here.  

Lol, it looks nice and stuff. Ive been to Denver and L.A but always skipped the desert. I definitely do want to check it out though. 

Idk why I thought you were NY, I should probably stop smoking so much lol

[Curled Finger]

3 minutes ago, Hugorfonics said:

Lol. It always seemed so inevitable and impossible and now that it's here it feels like it's always been (like I remember in HS learning about prohibition and how it didn't work and there were speakeasies on every other block and I raised my hand and I was like, the weed man is on every block too. My teacher didn't believe me, but of course it was true.)

Lol, it looks nice and stuff. Ive been to Denver and L.A but always skipped the desert. I definitely do want to check it out though. 

Idk why I thought you were NY, I should probably stop smoking so much lol

You were no doubt much cooler than I in HS.  I was a strictly law abiding citizen as an adult.  I worked under the auspices of the Dept. of Transportation and they weren't even having medical licenses on their periphery.  Nope, not this old gal.  I was well into semi retirement before I returned to the joys of altered consciousness again.  Given the state of the world including but certainly not limited to the ridiculous wait for TWOW etal, I would advise you not to under any circumstances stop smoking so much.  And no, the desert is a miserable place, do not waste your time or effort on places so full of rocks and dirt.  There isn't even a Dothraki gods garden in this Godforsaken place.  

[Hugorfonics]

7 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

Given the state of the world including but certainly not limited to the ridiculous wait for TWOW etal, I would advise you not to under any circumstances stop smoking so much.  And no, the desert is a miserable place, do not waste your time or effort on places so full of rocks and dirt.  There isn't even a Dothraki gods garden in this Godforsaken place.  

Lol sounds like you need it more then I do

[Phylum of Alexandria]

38 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

Youtube has changed or influenced this fandom.  I can't say if it is for better or worse but I can say it isn't textual in all cases.  I want to talk books, not show or some video some person made.  Book theory belongs in text in a book club, I think any way.  If you can't take someone else's idea and paraphrase it into something you can discus without posting the video what's the point of the conversation?  This isn't to say some of these ideas aren't worthy of discussion.  I would love to have someone breakdown Crowfood Daughter's stuff in plain linear simple English for me because the little bit I grasp is fascinating.   Hard to sit through stuff for me though.  

I know I'm guilty of this! I certainly do try to break down specific points when it's feasible, but Crowfood's Daughter's videos are long and dense, and often interconnected with one another. It gets difficult unpacking it all, and even if I do so successfully, I don't want to come off as if any of it was my idea. Usually I build just a bit off of stuff I've taken from the video, or I try to make explicit some connections she lightly alludes to. It just makes more sense to me to make the full video available and then base my comment around that. But I get the frustration.

[LongRider]

24 minutes ago, Curled Finger said:

And no, the desert is a miserable place, do not waste your time or effort on places so full of rocks and dirt.  There isn't even a Dothraki gods garden in this Godforsaken place.  

Don’t know what part of the desert you’re in, but having spent many years in high desert of Northern Nevada, I have to disagree.  I like the desert, it’s beautiful, mysterious, rocky, dry and cold.  What’s not to like?  Been away from the desert for too long, miss it.