{"id":119303,"date":"2024-09-06T14:48:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T19:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/?p=119303"},"modified":"2024-09-09T20:54:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T01:54:40","slug":"dont-kill-content-no-one-needs-your-hot-take","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/2024\/09\/06\/119303-dont-kill-content-no-one-needs-your-hot-take\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Kill Content – No One Needs Your Hot Take"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I learned something important from my daughter\u2019s first-grade teacher that has stayed with me: \u201cDon\u2019t yuk someone else\u2019s yum.<\/em>\u201d Our moms might have said it differently: \u201cIf you can\u2019t say something nice, don\u2019t say anything at all.<\/em>\u201d It\u2019s simple, but there\u2019s wisdom in it that the online, and particularly social media, world of fandom could use. Just because you don\u2019t love something doesn\u2019t mean someone else can\u2019t find joy in it. Even worse, your \u2018yuk\u2019 hot take may stifle content creators\u2019 ability to bring out content you might end up loving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Let\u2019s address the elephant in the room: Yes, I know this is my hot take\u2014but hey, mine\u2019s aimed at you, the fan, not the content creators.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After what seems like a lifetime at TheOneRing.net (Has it really been 25 years?!), I\u2019ve seen every possible reaction to new Tolkien<\/a> content. From diehard fans reveling in every second of a new adaptation to those who can\u2019t wait to point out what went \u201cwrong.\u201d It\u2019s predictable and, frankly, exhausting. Every time something new comes out, it\u2019s like clockwork: a flurry of love, a tidal wave of hate, and everyone shouting into the social void.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The truth is, not every story needs to be made for you, and that\u2019s okay. I promise. \ud83e\udd17<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Critique? Sure, it has its place. But what\u2019s happened is we\u2019ve confused having an opinion with needing to broadcast it. Tolkien\u2019s world is vast. It can hold different visions and interpretations from both filmmakers and fans. We don\u2019t need to take sides in an imaginary battle over what\u2019s \u201cright.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But why even bring this up?<\/strong> Because the casual social user, or even the casual internet participant, sees that \u2018yuk\u2019 always rises to the top. Algorithms are designed to push controversy and conflict into our feeds, knowing that our human condition tends to lean toward drama over harmony. Negative opinions and arguments get engagement, and platforms thrive on that. But here\u2019s the problem: content creators use those negative metrics to gauge the success or failure of their work.<\/strong> And often, they make decisions\u2014like canceling a show\u2014based on the loudest, angriest voices, even when there\u2019s a quiet following that genuinely enjoys it. Yes, these entities might be large corporations with teams of data scientists, but don’t assume that they are fully exploring the data to avoid simplistic conclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Don\u2019t yuk someone else\u2019s yum<\/em> – Annonymous<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And there\u2019s another side to this. Fans who do<\/em> love something often hesitate to share their enthusiasm. <\/strong>Why? Because they don\u2019t want to deal with the trolls. The loudest voices\u2014the bullies of fandom\u2014are quick to tear down anything that doesn\u2019t meet their personal standards. And just like in politics, where the conversation is dominated by those with the loudest, harshest opinions, fandom is too often steered by negativity. The result? Studios and creators miss out on hearing from those who love the content, because those voices are drowned out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the trailer for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew<\/em> as an example. When it dropped, my fellow over-40 male demographic flooded my feed with waves of negativity. But here\u2019s the thing: I\u2019m secretly loving the idea of mixing Star Wars<\/em> with The Goonies<\/em> and Stranger Things<\/em>. I want creators to take those kinds of risks with our beloved franchises. And if it turns out to be something I don\u2019t enjoy, I’ll just quietly move on; no need to let folks know I wasn’t into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Cast – credit StarWarsNews.net<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of all fictional universes and our beloved Middle-earth is that they can mean different things to different people. If someone\u2019s finding joy in a version of the story that isn\u2019t your cup of tea, do you really need to jump in and let them know? Let them have their moment. There\u2019s a quiet strength in stepping back and allowing others to enjoy what they enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the day, fandom is supposed to bring people together, not force everyone into corners based on whether they loved or hated the latest installment. Maybe, just maybe, we don\u2019t need to weigh in on every adaptation. If you\u2019re not feeling it, maybe scroll past, or better yet, log off and reread The Silmarillion<\/em>. The stories aren\u2019t going anywhere. There will always be space for your favorites and your least favorites in Tolkien\u2019s world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next time you\u2019re tempted to post your hot take, think back to my daughter\u2019s first-grade lesson. It\u2019s okay to stay quiet and let someone else have their yum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it might be the best thing you can do\u2014not just for them, but for the creators who need to hear the whole story, and for fandoms to enjoy a new risk here and there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, remember: Too much yuk, and the content you love might never get made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The views expressed in this article are those of just me, but maybe a few other TORn staffers agree. \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

P.S.<\/strong> If you\u2019ve got thoughtful critiques or just want to discuss all things Tolkien in a more welcoming, troll-free zone, there are safer places for that. Check out TheOneRing.net\u2019s Discord<\/a> or message boards<\/a>, where you can share your thoughts without drowning in negativity. Let\u2019s keep the conversation lively, but respectful\u2014Middle-earth deserves nothing less.<\/em> Feel free to email me as well<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P.P.S.<\/strong> <\/em>Hey Amazon<\/a> – I couldn’t end this article without sharing some of my yum. I am LOVING Season 2 of ‘Rings of Power!’ Don’t let anyone yuk my yum! \ud83d\ude0b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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