Dullness is the Coming of Age of Seriousness

The domination of shipping in this fandom to this degree is...it's not a good thing, as you point out. It's what's made me lose a lot of faith in this fandom, and it's made me much less active. Almost afraid to visit certain places--certain forums, comms. There are just places I don't go, because it's like walking into an insane asylum. And then it makes me insane, and I have to get out. And you're right, this fandom has lost serious touch with what makes (or at least what I alwas found to make) a fandom great. Being able to squee with the people who enjoy it, too. Or being able to have some really great discussion with level-headed people. Like, okay, I got into fandom less for the squee (even though I love doing it when I can or feel compelled to), and more for the discussion, to have a safe forum (in the general sense) to discuss and learn and exchange interpretations and ideas about themes, and plots, and characters on the show. I was drawn to the show itself for how brilliant it was, and how interesting and developed and it just had so many awesome things to discuss, and I thought, "I wonder if anyone else thinks this, too." And behold! There were. And it was amazing for a while, and sometimes it still can be, but I know that I can only go to certain people to discuss, because...over time, something shifted. And comms weren't safe anymore. If I tried to dicuss House and Cuddy from a more distant or objective point of view, and didn't add OMG, BUT HOUSE AND CUDDY ARE SO DOING IT AND ARE MEANT TO BE AND WILL HAVE GORGEOUS BLUE-EYED BABIES or something, then I was either ignored or blasted for hating the "ship". Or something. I know serious discussion isn't everyone's thing, and that's fine, and I know everyone won't agree and that's fine, too. (I mean, sure, I love being "right", but because that's not really possible in any form of art interpretation, what I like more is to be listened to, and respected, and have someone say to me, "That's a good point, and really interesting. Let's discuss. I may not agree, but this is great. Let's work out ideas." And learn things, and talk. And that never happens for me except with certain people on my f-list that I've come to know.) And not to be able to exchange ideas in a civilized and intelligent way, and really have some kind of satisfying interaction with fandom at large is, and mostly because people have drugged themselves with their "OTP" and are blind to and will accept nothing else, I find really...disheartening. For a show that's never been about ships or hooking people up romantically (as a focus in general), it's bizarre that that's all people can talk about, spoiler reporters in the media and amateur online reviewers included. So, yeah, when I felt unsafe to do that with fandom in general, I stopped watching comms, I stopped posting (for the most part) on forums, and try really hard to just keep to certain people, and it is sad that I have to do that. Because people shouldn't just be insane and ridiculous like that. I'm not trying to be arrogant, but...it's just...been my experience and this rant set this off. LOL Sorry about that.

My long-winded way of saying I'm with you here. Thanks for being sane and awesome.