by talking about our habits and preferences and desires, we have the opportunity to change and expand fannish culture.
Oh, I definitely agree here. I don't want to come across as denying the value of these sorts of inquiries. I'm always the one insisting to my students -- "it's never 'just' entertainment; it's never 'just' that you 'happen' to like something; there's always something constructed or learned about such things."
But it seems to me sometime that in these sorts of discussions as the one linked to, some people (not all) are doing two things: they're analyzing, and they sometimes seem to be saying, "please tell me it's all right to write this/like this/want this." And to the latter, I think people should be assured that it's fine.
But yes, I agree that we're not dealing with "innate" desires here and that it's very important to question where those desires come from, how they are created, and how they function culturally. I really don't want to discourage discussion! I just don't want people to think that they need to feel guilty for what they enjoy reading. (Not to say, of course, that I think there are no potential problems with what people like -- I'm still a bit conflicted about that. . .)
no subject
Oh, I definitely agree here. I don't want to come across as denying the value of these sorts of inquiries. I'm always the one insisting to my students -- "it's never 'just' entertainment; it's never 'just' that you 'happen' to like something; there's always something constructed or learned about such things."
But it seems to me sometime that in these sorts of discussions as the one linked to, some people (not all) are doing two things: they're analyzing, and they sometimes seem to be saying, "please tell me it's all right to write this/like this/want this." And to the latter, I think people should be assured that it's fine.
But yes, I agree that we're not dealing with "innate" desires here and that it's very important to question where those desires come from, how they are created, and how they function culturally. I really don't want to discourage discussion! I just don't want people to think that they need to feel guilty for what they enjoy reading. (Not to say, of course, that I think there are no potential problems with what people like -- I'm still a bit conflicted about that. . .)