Fangirl IS Derogatory!
I’ll admit to naivity – my internet time doesn’t have that much to with the fan side of things. While I have had nerdish tendancies for some time, I was too busy looking up the composer for something half the time to notice about the content of a show.
Pretty Robot Ninja sent a link my way which was quite shocking. Here are some of the definitions:
- A rabid breed of human female who is obesessed with either a fictional character or an actor.
- A bunch of hell-crazy girls who will glomp, tackle or try to almost kill their idol. Can also be considered really evil
- Crazy bitches that practicly go insane when there favourite idol walks in their presence. Usually involves a lawsuit, suffocation of idol, or idol ripped to shreds by fighting fangirls
Thus I have come to a conclusion. There aren’t any really different types of fangirl rather, different ways the phrase can be intereted. Of course, if you misinterpret it or don’t properly attribute someone elses quote, your slaughtered.
TYPE ONE:
There is the derogatory fangirl. Like any form of looking down on someone, this often takes into account someones age; online status and level of cuteness.
TYPE TWO:
There is the normal fangirl who use the term as a form of affection. They have a mild obsesson with some things (like myself) but it doesn’t rule their lives.
I can say I have never encountered the Australian fangirl before. Is it just because I never got into the forum/fan fic side of things? Guess I’ll see a different side at the convention next month.
Is the term ‘Fan Girl’ Derogatory?
After my last post was picked up by When Fan Girls Attack, there was a mini Internet backlash over my definition of Fangirl.
Firstly, I’d like to clarify that definition was edited from Wikipedia. My jokes about not understanding the definition was ignored by two fangirls who were too busy bristling over the labelling to notice where the original quote came from. They were discussing it on this post where I got such comments:
- SEXIST PIGS!
- It’s still stupid. And angering
Though I am grateful to the blog owner who stated: “She doesn’t say where she got the quote, but this is US comics fandom. Though that doesn’t make it right.”
Now this dialogue isn’t worrying, because the responder didn’t use correct punctuation nor even bother to read the original post. Thus a negative insinuation means nought.
Fortunately, the writer on this blog had a more mature approach to that definition. Once I admitted I got it from Wikipedia. she responded with this post on her research into the definition.
Female feathers have been rustled yet I still haven’t found an answer to my original question – Is the term fangirl actually insulting? Is it just insulting if you are labelled that by someone outside of the fangirl sphere? Is Australian comic culture different from American?
A great Sporting day in Geelongs history
Yesterday was a day that will probably be discussed when I’m 60. Geelong won the grand final.
Upon hearing of the win, the town went insane and I couldn’t blame them. Cheers and horns honking for hours; parties at neighbouring houses.
What was Jade doing? Turning the volume up on the first series of the Original Twilight zone.
My stories more interesting!
Top 10 favourite superheros
1. Peter Petrelli (From Heroes)
2. Spiderman (Tobey Maguire)
3. Ralph (Greatest American Hero)
4. The Doctor (David Tennant)
5. Angel (From Buffy/Angel)
6. Face of Boe (Doctor who )
7: Superman (Tom Welling)
8. Hiro (From Heroes)
9. The Thing
10. Gohan (DBZ)
Note: I thought I was a superhero nut but it was a struggle to make this list. Do you have any recommendations? Comment or email me
Wardrobe update!
Whats that, I hear you ask? I actually managed to provide photographic proof of my hotted up nerd wardrobe? What are these shirts that have me so excited?
The Chaser ones! Firstly, theres this one:
Its a mockery of the Kevin 07 campaign. Whilst ordering the above, I found this one:
I found one landlords birthday present! Both have a heck of a story behind them, that also ties back into the social and political themes of 2007. Who said every shirt didn’t have a story.
I shant buy anything else until at least after the convention. I have to do boring budget revision before I can think of another purchase.
I’m going to get a grey belt to do with my ‘Greatest American Hero’ shirt. I want to try and find some of the ones the alien wore but the Red short sleeve is hard enough to find as is.
Five Decades of Marvel Comics – Les Daniels (Review)
‘Comics are about what we are thinking, whether as children or adults’.
True. In 2007, its easy to peruse the past 100+ years of comics and associate certain social themes with that period.
One of the fascinating concepts that seemed to apply to all eras was that they strive to realism through dialogue. In a sense the characters have two identities. Arguably, not something you would see in DC’s Superman though I’m not sure how far this applies. By striving to this realism – especially through long conversations in the solitude of a bedroom – one is more able to convey certain social themes as well as convey this realism.
An example is the overall theme of comics during certain decades.
- The 60s heralded renaissance with the powers being as interesting as their personal life.
- 70s was about innovation and mutant heroes.
They did comment throughout on various clubs people joined. It wasn’t so much for profits, rather involving the reader. Early on this was making the kids feel important by joining the sentinels of liberty. A nice contrast to purchasing the candy superman himself was endorsing. Did you know about the MMMS? Neither did readers who read the name dropped into certain issues.
From an adults perspective this is so curious. I’ll admit to naivety for thinking that many of the flaws AND advancements in comics were modern developments. This will definitely be discussed in much greater detail later.
I end with this. If Spiderman can talk to himself in the privacy of his own home then so can I.
Want to read more? Check out Five Decades of Marvel Comics At Amazon.
Back to the Future – From Adults eyes
I rewatched this classic last night. My landlord goes on about the trilogy and I couldn’t understand why. I hadn’t rewatched it since overdosing on it as an obsessed child. ‘D’oh!
Every adult should go back and revisit the classics. I loved watching it, especially after hearing about all the associated trivia. It contained some adult themes that went over the young mind!
Its so exciting, I want to play the guitar solo from “Power of Love” Dad informed me, after seeing it of course, that he was actually the original singer.
It was especially fascinating seeing the silvestri score within context of the movie. I had listened to all three by themselves and the only one that impressed, and stuc, was the whimsy of the third one.
His past mother was quite reminscent of Luna Lovegood in some respects. An advantage of having a young mind 
I realised that I looked at disdain at both time periods; neither of which I was really part of. Its immature of me to bag something when movies themselves are tamed down from real life, rather than it being a direct portrayel.
The acting, and intricate intertwining, has rendered the franchise as a work of genius. I regret not rewatching it sooner.
I don’t like the comics much though. Was Harvey ever relevant?
Creating a hot nerd wardrobe is hard work!
I’m trying to create a wardrobe that incorporates classic looks, current trends and provides a nerdish reference. Often I’ll approach a shopping trip with a theme in mind.
Yesterday, I finally found a pair of Red Short shorts. Now, this is for a funny holiday experience I’m planning on doing – more updates on THAT later!
I’m having trouble tracking down other items I want. I’m hunting for a pair of blue shorts, superman blue, with white stars. I can’t find blue tights anywhere either, nor can I find the superhero boots that are sexy, but don’t have that clunky heel.
I have vague supergirl and wonder woman themes in mind (not complete reproductions, just imitating some aspects) yet nothing else. Do people create cosplay outfits without the need to show it off at a con? I’d be more than interested in doing something like that and uploading all the pics! I can’t think of anything interesting for a girl to Cosplay outside of comics and anime. Perhaps I should rewatch all my sci fi DVDs.
Do you have any recommendations for how you thing a fenerd should look? Everythings ultimately going to be put on my mystyle diary, and form themed pages. Let me know your ideas, as well as sites where you can get them from.
Artists should think of procreation when designing superheroes
My good friend was telling me recently how she saw Super Ex Girlfriend and how her boyfriend got a kick out of finding out how the sex was possible. This led to a somewhat interesting discussion. Do the writers and artists think of sex when designing those characters?
The classic comment was “Faster than a speeding bullet – does that apply to his sperm?”
This is quite the valid point. Not that I’ve had it, but one would assume if you got caught up in the moment you might forget to hold back your superpowers and thus render the female unable to have babies. Then there was the sperm itself – would it do damage to Lois, especially if the baby was developing super powers whilest in gestation?
This applies to other superheroes. I did have some interesting concerns with Spiderman, especially as he’s capable of accidental acrobatics unlike poor Mary Jane.
What about the Terminator? What happens if someone decided he would be fun :wink wink: This ones solely for the Get This fans; Feel the Steel!
This shall be an issue I shall keep abreast of whilst exposing myself to new comics.
Are young nerds snobs?
My landlords are unofficial, and oft referred to, mentors. They are 15 years older than me yet at times, seem much older.
I live in a different world to them. They are the smartest and funnest people I know, yet aren’t really into technology as I am. I consider myself technologically illerate for not understanding Digg and StumbleUpon. I’ve only recently been able to get them into Ipods and podcasts.
Yet who out of us has the life of most enrichment? Not I.
I, Jade Craven, am a snob. I:
- laughed my way through the exorcist because of dodgy SFX
- only recently started watching films in black and white
- struggled to watch Life on Mars because of how corrupt and dirty it was
- didn’t take David Bowie seriously until I saw Labyrinth
- couldn’t appreciate the original terminators and Back to the Futures like one should
- struggle to appreciate a score without any synth.
Do any other young nerds, or female ones, find similar? I am working to be more appreciative of classic icons but it does take time to wrap my head around.