The Golden Age...

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I have an idle question, arising slightly from recent ProsLit threads, and slightly from thinking about the Old Guard question of a few days ago...

When people talk about the "Golden Age" of Pros fandom, when in particular are they meaning? I'm never sure if this is one of those times that differs for everyone, or if there's a more generally accepted "period"? And what would constitute a "golden age"? Quantity of writing/activity? Quality? Something else?

I shan't post this to ProsLit as well, because I know it gets cross-listed there automatically, but it's really for both groups. I'm very curious...

Comments

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Channel W was one of them. The other was another of the "Channels," I just can't remember which one. I got into a "I read gen but I don't understand slash so could you explain it to me?" go-round that left a bad taste in my mouth. The list-mom wrote and apologized offlist but by then I'd had enough. It's tiring, having that same crap brought up ad nauseum. The person always tries to pretend they have nothing against slash (I especially love the "some of my best friends are slashers" line,) yet want you to believe that after years in a fandom they still think someone can make them "understand."

That, on top of the "I know everything there is to know about MFU and don't you forget it" attitude of a couple of the members, was more than I could stomach.

[brenk.livejournal.com]

EW. I do hate it when people try to make somebody 'understand' the 'other genre'.

It's tiring seeing the slash/gen clashes when you like both though, believe me. And especially when the gen lot can, at times, think you're a traitor and the slash lot thing you're nuts. Or vice-versa.

I have somme friends who are slashers - and some who are genners. The only time that's come a cropper is when somebody's tried to drag me over to one side of the fence and to trash the other. I really don't appreciate that. Because there really *are* a few people who like both, read both, write both. Just not a lot ;)

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

I really don't appreciate that. Because there really *are* a few people who like both, read both, write both. Just not a lot ;)

I'll bet. ;-) There's a couple of fandoms I read gen in but never the slash, just as with slash fandoms I never, or rarely, read the gen. The ones I do I tend to read as pre-slash, whether that was the writer's intention or not. I don't seem to be able to turn off the slash button; I either see the slash in a pairing all the time or not at all. I get the impression that's how the majority of slashers are.

I do have to admit, though, there was one slash story written (and, as far as I know, the only slash story ever written) about the two brothers in the gen fandom I'm in. I found myself really liking it, though I'm still not inclined to write slash in that particular fandom myself.

[franciskerst.livejournal.com]

Yes I remember this thread and even several others much more offensive. Some of the arguments were not made of good faith obviously. However I wasn't shocked; I rather found the discussion interesting. I was myself pushed by the desire to understand why some people, really, "don't understand" slash. I don't think the issue is about morals, it's deeper and then, worthy to be investigated.

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

You're a lot more understanding than I am, then, because I find it hard to believe that someone who's been in a fandom for years and doesn't get the slash is going to still be trying. And when they do still push for an answer, I am inclined to think it's not just a little tinged with homophobia.

[blktauna.livejournal.com]

Where I come from its called Wank...