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I had to reframe my expectations for Kamen Rider Black, and it's amazing the difference it's already made in my enjoyment of the show. And that gave me a theory about why toku fandom behaves the way it does.
A variation on toxic positivity that I'll refer to as toxic hype.
A variation on toxic positivity that I'll refer to as toxic hype.
Ok first. We've all heard of toxic positivity at this point, right? No? Here's a primer, if not: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-man-cave/201908/toxic-positivity-dont-always-look-the-bright-side
"The phrase 'toxic positivity' refers to the concept that keeping positive, and keeping positive only, is the right way to live your life. It means only focusing on positive things and rejecting anything that may trigger negative emotions."
Is this sounding familiar yet?
Is this sounding familiar yet?
Experiences are only positive or negative. False. Feelings are only positive or negative. False. Where else do we see this kind of binary absolutism in people's thinking?
Right here in the toku fandom. It's epidemic in how we conceptualize and share our opinions about shows.
Right here in the toku fandom. It's epidemic in how we conceptualize and share our opinions about shows.
The "hype cycle" is such an entrenched ritual in this community that people meme about it. A new show is starting! Everyone is excited! Until it inevitably disappoints in some way. People start complaining, the tone changes, now the show is awful & we can't wait till it's over.
It's one of the classic cognitive distortions, "all or nothing" thinking, at its finest.
The show can only be good OR bad. It can't be both at the same time.
Except it IS both at the same time. They're ALL both at the same time.
The show can only be good OR bad. It can't be both at the same time.
Except it IS both at the same time. They're ALL both at the same time.
The problem lies in our expectations; in our mindset. If we go in expecting something amazing, we're gonna get disappointed & feel upset. If we go in expecting something awful, we might be pleasantly surprised, or we might create a confirmation bias wherein we look for flaws.
But what if we just went in...curious? Excited not for how good a new show is supposed to be, but excited to see how a new idea and new characters are realized onscreen?
I wonder what that would change for how we enjoy our fandom, and how we interact with each other.
I wonder what that would change for how we enjoy our fandom, and how we interact with each other.
