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Post by wiiboy on Jun 10, 2008 5:45:57 GMT -5
Now I was stumbling though 4chan's /co/ (Cartoons) since that is where the most Avatar discussions are. (Do not try /a/ >_<) And I came across this. Has shipping really wrecked the Avatar community and the show with it's followers?
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Post by bagpipe turtle on Jun 10, 2008 14:53:32 GMT -5
I hate to say this, but... Yes. It has, for the most part. Shipping debates have made me hate this fandom, and a whole bunch of people in it. Sorry. As much as I love the show, and the good times I've had in the fandom, I can't wait for it to be over because the bad stuff has absolutely ruined it. Not to say I don't love all y'all- you guys rock. But elsewhere...
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Castoro Chiaro
Buzzard Wasp
This is Scout! Rainbowz make me cry!
Posts: 523
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Post by Castoro Chiaro on Jun 10, 2008 18:32:30 GMT -5
In a sense, yes...much sense of community and shared interests is often times lost amidst shipping brawls and angry feuds over the simplest interactions of characters. I hate being angry with people because they bash Kataang or say mean things to me because I love Kataang. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the ship wars will be resolved in the last episodes, because jeez, enough is enough. Kataang vs. Zutara is a behemoth that needs to be slain so we can all hold hands and sing P.S.--The Zutarians here are awesome.
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Jun 10, 2008 19:02:19 GMT -5
I think it had shaken it a lot... not totally wrecked it, but done a lot of damage? yeah. of course, I once made something that would answer all the shipping questiongs, but that's beside the point. I mostly think it's the Kataang/Zutara fight that hurts... the others just don't seem to be hotly contested like they are. just my thoughts. ~Iroh~
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Post by Purplejay on Jun 10, 2008 20:55:49 GMT -5
Yes and no, is my opinion. Shipping has, for the most part, been generalized as endless debating and fighting. But I believe that some part of it is about studying the show and grasping the deeper meaning behind characters' actions. It's pretty intriguing, and interesting, because you keep an eye out for detail and that enriches the watching of the show. It's also fun to make predictions with fellow shippers, as well. But sometimes, shippers tend to overanalyze and fail to see the show as it really is- not meant just for romance. And I'm kind of guilty of this, too.
Shipping has also brought people together, and the friendships formed are great. But that also pits rival ships against each other (namely Kataang and Zutara) and fighting ensues, which is one of the weaker points of shipping. It's great to see so much artwork and stories inspired by a ship, which brings fans together. The debates are interesting, and may also bring up good points about the characters. But sometimes, the bashing can go a little too far.
It depends on how heavily you ship, I think. Ultimately, we're all still Avatar fans...
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xtal
Sokka
The best pill poppin' misanthrope.
Posts: 146
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Post by xtal on Jun 11, 2008 2:08:56 GMT -5
I think it is rather sad and rather immature that some people can't respect other people's ships. To me its like not respecting a person in general. Plus it is such a trivial thing, who is paired with who...its all only for entertainment, why get into an argument over it? Debates however are fine and dandy, I like debateing and it should be encouraged, but in a respectful manner. Agree to disagree and the like ya know?
I don't think it hurts the show itself...just people's enjoyment of it. And yes, I do beleive it can put a dent in the fandom...an uneeded dent.
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Post by Lyralocke on Jun 13, 2008 2:36:45 GMT -5
It hasn't ruined the show by a longshot. You don't have to be part of the community to like the show. I didn't become a part of the fandom until the third season, but I've watched it since the first episode.
I suppose it depends on how you look at it. I mean... I'm a Kataanger and all, but I don't judge an episode by how much Kataang it has in it. I like the show regardless, so shipping hasn't wrecked anything for me.
It depends on individual experience as well. My fandom experience is basically limited to... well... DH and ff.net. Everyone's very friendly in both places, so I'm generally fandom positive. But there are the horror stories from elsewhere on the internet that make me understand why some people have just given up on the fandom completely.
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Jun 13, 2008 2:46:44 GMT -5
true... I guess it depends on how you look at it... of course, on a10, my other site, there's a lot of ship-bashing, but it's all done in good humor, and in teh end we'll all end up shipping Ty Lozai, Kohtara, and Pakumi.
I joined the fandom after seeing Toph in action, and finally learned waht "Kataang" and "Zutara" were much later... of coruse, I still haven't seen all the episodes (haven't seen any of season 1 except #18l only seen 10 or so eps. of season 2, saw all but eps 3, 4, and 10 of season 3)
depending on who I talk to, I'm usually very friendly and respectful of other people's ships. of course, if ther's a fight, I will likely end up just saying that Katara's going to die and that Toph and Iroh are going to take over the world, but hey, that's just me. ~Katara~
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Post by Scarlett Ember on Jun 13, 2008 11:03:53 GMT -5
Because shipping is such a huge thing for many fans, it has in many cases completely overshadowed the other aspects of the show, including the plot itself. I'm a pretty hardcore shipper, I'll admit, though I don't think I've let it get in the way of me actually enjoying the show itself. And I've never fought with people of opposing ships. I've discussed, either with others of my own ship or someone of another ship who asked my opinion, why I don't agree with other ones, but I don't let it lead to an argument over which is better. Shipwars are ridiculous and never accomplish anything. People who fight in shipwars are firm believers in their own ship, so nothing the other person says will make them budge. Therefore, no point in it at all.
I don't think it's ruined the show, but it may have hurt the fandom a little. But that's only if you get involved in shipping wars. Not to be confused with debates. Respectful shipping debates are good, because you get exposed to other ships and usually have more respect for them. However there are immature and rude shippers on both sides, which give each shipping group a bad name. Then the other ship members focus on those immature ones and believe all shippers of that couple are that way. Thus starting to tear the fandom apart...
As long as the fans don't let shipping take over their view on the show, for instance deciding they will hate the series if their ship doesn't happen, then it's not ruined. And it's not that hard to stay out of shipping if you want to, at least here. Some places the shipping floods into all threads, but here you can be a non-shipper and still enjoy discussions with other fans.
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Post by notreal on Jun 13, 2008 12:27:05 GMT -5
Shipping has essentially made the fandom stronger, in my opinion. Many fans enjoy shipping, talking about shipping, etc. The arguments that it creates can just as easily be said for theories, character discussions, and just general opinions about the show. The immature fans of the show can surely not be the standard for all of us?
As it is, most fan creations are inspired by relationships. We'd be a plain, colorless fandom without the thousands and thousands of fanfics, drawings, graphics, and videos dedicated to our Avatar ships. Many people stay IN the fandom just to view these things.
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Post by Victim ~*of *~Circumstances on Jun 15, 2008 1:57:10 GMT -5
Yes and no, is my opinion. Shipping has, for the most part, been generalized as endless debating and fighting. But I believe that some part of it is about studying the show and grasping the deeper meaning behind characters' actions. It's pretty intriguing, and interesting, because you keep an eye out for detail and that enriches the watching of the show. It's also fun to make predictions with fellow shippers, as well. But sometimes, shippers tend to overanalyze and fail to see the show as it really is- not meant just for romance. And I'm kind of guilty of this, too. Shipping has also brought people together, and the friendships formed are great. But that also pits rival ships against each other (namely Kataang and Zutara) and fighting ensues, which is one of the weaker points of shipping. It's great to see so much artwork and stories inspired by a ship, which brings fans together. The debates are interesting, and may also bring up good points about the characters. But sometimes, the bashing can go a little too far. It depends on how heavily you ship, I think. Ultimately, we're all still Avatar fans... ^Same here. I don't think its wrecked the community that much I mean I'm certain people don't get into debates just to argue that one is better than the other right? That just seems childish....in a bad way. Now, I'll admit that it does make us go all loco once in a while and we end up hating others but after we: CHILL Then we go back to being the avatards who love the show. Sure, we get pretty into it at times and it starts to get as heated as the Sahara but in the end if we still enjoy the show then it's not so bad.
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Post by strife17 on Jun 17, 2008 20:08:59 GMT -5
There are time where I do think that. I'll be talking about something cool that happened in an episode and then someone twists it into some bad shipping thing. I mean I used to be part of the whole "Zutarian War" thing but I don't think it's worth telling someone off about it. The romance possibilities are cool and all but there are other cool parts of the show too.
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asian malaysian
Avatar Kyoshi
Let me hear you say this ship is bananas! B-A-NA-N-A-S!
Posts: 1,308
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Post by asian malaysian on Jul 8, 2008 1:45:11 GMT -5
Honestly, Ive never heard the term "shipping" used outside Avatar. Is it a common expression in the States?
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pg15
Avatar Roku
"Since beginningless time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light."
Posts: 1,248
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Post by pg15 on Jul 8, 2008 3:12:46 GMT -5
For certain shows and books, yes. Like, say...Harry Potter, X-Files (where it originated, possibly) and all other shows with characters in them.
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asian malaysian
Avatar Kyoshi
Let me hear you say this ship is bananas! B-A-NA-N-A-S!
Posts: 1,308
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Post by asian malaysian on Jul 8, 2008 3:20:05 GMT -5
Oh, ok. Thanks for the info pg15. Will look it up.
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