Is There Elitism In The Fandom?

[A Talking Dragon 257]

I've been hearing the term "circle-jerking" within the fandom quite a bit. These aren't outside groups using these terms too, but fellow fans. I can't really seem to figure out why this term is being used or what it's referring to.

 

So, I'll ask this broader question(s). Does Elitism exist in the fandom? If so, what form does take, or what have you personally seen? How can it be corrected or lessened? 

 

 

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[Inactive01 5,299]

I'm on the same boat as you. I just heard of this term now. Also, you gotta define elitism. If you mean, "Oh we're the best fandom in the world, everyone else can p*** off", then I don't really see that around unless you go on Youtube. Even then, everyone can get elitist on Youtube. I know I did before. 

[. eris . 1,661]

...Since my only exposure to this fandom is literally this forum (I don't frequent derpibooru, Equestria Daily, other forums, FiMfiction, etc.,) I would have to say yes and no. There's always going to be elitism in any kind of fandom - older fans feel superior to newer fans, more eloquent people obviously have a trump card over people who can't spell, and so on. I also think since we're largely an artisan fandom, we take pride in what we write/draw/mix, and other people do as well. There's going to be some comparisons there.

[~Silver Essence~ 2,625]

Circle jerking. 

 

I have heard this term alot in this fandom recently.

 

All I gotta say is that most just stick to their main friends rather than making many new friends at the same time.

 

As for me, I'll never do that, I try my best to be friendly and nice towards anybody here.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I feel that the elitism is pretty much a mix match when it comes to the old and new fans of the show. Old fans and New fans feel superior to each other while others take pride in what they do and can always stick together. Frankly, I can be as friendly as possible.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

There's always elitism in any fandom of any sort. It's one of the Deadly Sins of Geekdom. Not smart enough to really explain what it is that causes it.

 

Best solution is to not be a douche yourself.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Elitism is a big part of any group of people who get together for any reason, it's just a side effect of social interaction that comes up on it's own with little or no provocation. Might as well just ignore it.

Edited August 25, 2013 by Jacob Danik

[Fhaolan 4,484]

Just for those needing a definition of 'circle-jerking' (I sometimes find that even if it's something everyone might already know it's a good idea to define slang terms for those on the forums who are from other cultures, or who just haven't run into it yet), it's a rather rude sex-act-based insult referring to a group of people who are re-enforcing each others egos. Sorta like self-aggrandizing, but one individual aggrandizes the one in front of them, who then aggrandizes the one in front of them, so on and so forth until it loops back to the starting point. Because it's a closed loop, it sets up an ever-increasing ego boost. Another, less sexual version of the concept is the 'echo chamber' where everything you say gets reinforced by everyone around you, making you feel even more 'right' no matter what the truth actually is.

 

Okay, now that's out of the way...

 

Yes, every fandom develops groups that consider themselves elite and who believe they are the judges on what is 'right' in the fandom. Usually they form around concepts like 'I was a fan since the beginning', or 'I have x number of followers on my blog/youtube/tumblr/soundgarden/whatever', or 'I'm on a con-com', or 'I have kids of my own', etc. Something that they believe sets them apart from mere casuals. They tend to get rather strident when someone disagrees with them, calling on their posse to 'punish' those who won't submit to whatever whim they've got.

 

There's not a lot that can really be done about the 'Elites', except ignore them. The groups usually implode after awhile under their own weight. Due to the self-reinforcing nature of the Elites, when one of the drops out for whatever reason that gap really hurts the group and often causes it to shatter apart.

[Shanks 10,816]

Yes absolutely, it exists in every fandom there is always the know it all jackasses who claim to know everything and if disagree with them than you are worse than Hitler, Stalin and Satan combined. We see this with some twilicorn supporters dismissing any and all arguments against twilicorn as just another case of "butthurt" with comments telling critics to "accept it" or "move on". We see with anti cloppers obsessing over some fans masturbation habits for some reason, and most annoyingly of all bronies who put the fandom on some kind of pedestal and treat it like some kind of religion where everyone must abide by their standards of behavior or they are guilt tripped with comments about them "making us look bad."

[SBaby 660]

There's going to be elitism in any fandom that exists.  Some fandoms, moreso than others.  Fortunately, I don't think it's all that widespread with bronies, except maybe in a very select few sites that work solely with creative content, like fanfiction and such (and even those sites aren't too bad in that regard).  But I'd say it's a vast minority when it comes to this fandom.