Kori and Taylor discuss how a perfect storm of real-world situations has lead to an increase of poor internet hygiene, ending in the stage of “terminally online”. They discuss how the capitalist-fueled social media companies retain your engagement through algorithms and outrage, the binarist moralizing this can lead to, and why it’s so important to make time to disconnect and take a break from online spaces.
Content warning: Discussion of forms of online harassment/abuse.
Further Reading:
- Kori. “Fandom, We Need to Talk About Your Tweets.” The Fandomentals (2020)
- Kori, Taylor. “Ladies First Examines Toxic Fandom Behaviors.” The Fandomentals (2021)
- Kori, Taylor. “Ladies First Talks Community Building.” The Fandomentals (2021)
- Kori, Taylor. “Let’s Talk About Sex! (And Queer Patriarchal Purity Culture).” The Fandomentals (2021)
Sources:
- Atrocity Guide. “The Cult of Andrew “ThanFiction” Blake.” Atrocity Guide — YouTube (2021)
- CJ the X. “Bo Burnham vs. Jeff Bezos.” CJ the X — YouTube (2021)
- Fanlore. “Thanfiction.” Fanlore
- Film Crit Hulk. “On Criticism In The Intersectional Age.” Birth. Movies. Death (2017)
- Gengler, Amanda M. “Selling Feminism, Consuming Femininity.” Contexts, vol. 10, # 2 (2011)
- Gevinson, Tavi. “Britney Spears Was Never in Control.” The Cut (2021)
- Haidt, Jonathan and Rose-Stockwell, Tobias. “The Dark Psychology of Social Networks.” The Atlantic (2019)
- Hale, Kathleen. “Is Teenage Plastic Surgery a Feminist Act?.” Harper’s BAZAAR (2017)
- Handler, Rachel. “The Story Behind Every Track on Fetch the Bolt Cutters.” Vulture (2020)
- Lanigan, Roisin. “2021 is the year of the bimbo.” i-D (2021)
- Sarah Z. “Fandom’s Biggest Controversy: The Story of Proshippers vs Antis.” Sarah Z — YouTube (2021)
- Sarah Jo. “The Harry Potter Cults | Part 2: Andy ThanFiction.” Sarah Jo — YouTube (2021)
- Schulman, Sarah. Conflict Is Not Abuse: Overstating Harm, Community Responsibility, and the Duty of Repair. Arsenal Pulp Press (2016)
- Trendacosta, Katherine. “When Fandom Is the Problem.” Gizmodo (2019)
- Wynn, Natalie. “Envy.” Contrapoints — YouTube (2021)
- VanDerWyff, Emily. “How Twitter can ruin a life.” Vox (2021)
Credits:
- Created/Written/Hosted by Kori and Taylor
- Sound Design/Music/Production by Kori
- Research by Taylor
- Graphic Design by Kori
- Produced by The Fandomentals Network
Have strong thoughts about this piece you need to share? Or maybe there’s something else on your mind you’re wanting to talk about with fellow Fandomentals? Head on over to our Community server to join in the conversation!
