Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 4: Drawbacks of Fanifestos

[ysabetwordsmith]

This is a new meta entry for marchmetamatterschallenge 2025. See my tracking post here.

Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 1: The Importance of Fanifestos
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2a: What Is a Fanifesto? intro & canon guide
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2b: What Is a Fanifesto? cast list & character study
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2c: What Is a Fanifesto? ship manifesto & milieu study
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2d: What Is a Fanifesto? plot analysis & crossovers
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2e: What Is a Fanifesto? trope manifesto & format guide
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 2f: What Is a Fanifesto? personal manifesto & others
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 3: Benefits of Fanifestos
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 4: Drawbacks of Fanifestos
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 5a: Contents of a Fanifesto statement to tropes
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 5b: fanon to other aspects
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 6: How to Write a Fanifesto
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7a: Where to Find Fanifestos location types & communities
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7b: fanifestos A-E
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7c: fanifestos F-I
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7d: fanifestos J-R
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 7e: fanifestos S-Z
Meta: "Why We Need Fanifestos" Part 8: My Fanifestos


Part 4: Drawbacks of Fanifestos

While fanifestos have many benefits, as discussed in the previous section, they also have some significant drawbacks. These can cause serious problems in a fandom, or in extreme cases, shatter it into smaller clusters who all refuse to interact anymore or who snipe bitterly at each other. Such examples of fandom wank have driven plenty of people away from a canon, or even away from fandom altogether -- which may be voluntary or rather less so.

Therefore, when creating or sharing fanifestos, it helps to be aware of potential problems. Don't purposely create something with the intent of baking trouble from scratch. Don't promote things that are vicious instead of fun. Don't pick on other people for liking what they like. In short, don't be a dick.

The root of many difficulties in fanitestos comes from canons. Sometimes a canon introduces characters, events, or motifs that are divisive or just plain horrible. This can lead to ugly splits among the fandom as some fans like it and others don't, then they pester each other about it. Fanifestos that pick at these divisions tend to do more harm than good.

Closely related to this are questionable likes or relationships. These may or may not have strong foundations in canon. Some fandoms are just really prone to things that upset some people, such as a high level of violence, a piece of equipment that violates boundaries, or two magnetic characters whose ages are quite far apart. Remember that this stuff is imaginary and enjoying it does not make anyone a bad person. Take care not to hurt real people over unreal scenarios. It's okay to create or enjoy fanifestos about such topics, but it is helpful to do so with some awareness of possible implications or outcomes.

Finally, there is the issue of anti-shipping. It's a form of hate and it can cause serious problems. It's also anti-fandom. It goes against the core of fandom, which is all about coming together over love of the same things. Picking on people for liking what they like is bullying, and it's the kind of thing people used to come to fandom to escape. Driving people away from fandom is the opposite of helpful. So ship and let ship.

Fanifestos can bring people together, but they can also drive people apart. Read mindfully, and remember you can choose not to read things that you don't like or disagree with. Speak up if you see people picking on each other, taking sides, or otherwise using meta for destructive purposes. Words have power. Use your powers for good.