I am reading an article on otakuology, and this portion on the importance of criticism really stood out to me. I found it a very fitting commentary on the state of fandoms in general, especially here on AHS.
Quote:
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Of course, among creators and people in the mass media, there is a tendency to misunderstand otaku culture as comparable to Western subculture, which leads to such thoughts as 'creators are above the fans in any case'. The message is clear: 'Art comes directly from the creators' heart. Appreciate it gratefully. It's your fault if you don't understand. Go home and do your homework!' It might not be as direct as that, but even creators fall victim to these misunderstandings. There are many otaku who have been overwhelmed by this attitude, but they should not be. If you blindly praise a chef too much, the restaurant will go bad. Only when you evaluate on your own can you hope for better food. In other words, evaluating art leads to the healthy formation of artisan culture.
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