I have friends my age (27) that freak out because I don’t know lyrics to Disney movies, or that I don’t own 50 different Mickey ears. I think it’s fine if people like it at our age, just don’t try and force me to like it too, or get angry that it’s not my cup of tea. I watched the movies as a kid, and the only time I will rewatch over and over is when my kids force me to at some point. Thanks but no thanks.
To be totally fair, while it's ok to be a fan of something regardless of your age, I've known quite a lot of grown adults who aren't just fans in the normal capacity, but kind of infantalise themselves through an obsession with Disney that becomes, in itself, gatekeepy. So getting annoyed when you don't know the words or just say, "I don't like X Disney movie" (not dissimilar to how Marvel fans can get,) bursting into song at inappropriate times or at an obnoxious volume, or generally acting like very young children in terms of speech or mannerisms. Liking something is perfectly fine, but I do feel like Disney, similar to Marvel movies, becomes one of those things that people can treat like a personality trait, leading to them behaving in really irritating ways. That isn't to say that capturing that child-like comfort or wonder isn't a good thing, but a benefit of being an adult is being able to incorporate your interests into conversation and other aspects of your life without alienating people by making it your entire deal. Funny how these multi-billion dollar corporations have a habit of creating toxic fanbases that incorporate their products into their personalities on such an integral level, either through being prevalent since a simpler, more comfortable time (childhood) or, in the case of Marvel, associating themselves with the long dissolved nerd culture (comics and superheroes and whatnot) who's fans might once have experienced some form of social judgement, thus creating this idea that current fans are somehow alternative, niche, nerdy, or in some way special for liking something that's currently so mainstream. Almost like it's extremely lucrative to create products that, despite how unimpressive the bulk are, capitalise on people's need for identity.
tyarecalifornia on January 13rd, 2020 at 02:23 UTC »
I have friends my age (27) that freak out because I don’t know lyrics to Disney movies, or that I don’t own 50 different Mickey ears. I think it’s fine if people like it at our age, just don’t try and force me to like it too, or get angry that it’s not my cup of tea. I watched the movies as a kid, and the only time I will rewatch over and over is when my kids force me to at some point. Thanks but no thanks.
RodLawyer on January 13rd, 2020 at 05:47 UTC »
I think the keyword here is obssesed.
salt_sultan on January 13rd, 2020 at 11:16 UTC »
To be totally fair, while it's ok to be a fan of something regardless of your age, I've known quite a lot of grown adults who aren't just fans in the normal capacity, but kind of infantalise themselves through an obsession with Disney that becomes, in itself, gatekeepy. So getting annoyed when you don't know the words or just say, "I don't like X Disney movie" (not dissimilar to how Marvel fans can get,) bursting into song at inappropriate times or at an obnoxious volume, or generally acting like very young children in terms of speech or mannerisms. Liking something is perfectly fine, but I do feel like Disney, similar to Marvel movies, becomes one of those things that people can treat like a personality trait, leading to them behaving in really irritating ways. That isn't to say that capturing that child-like comfort or wonder isn't a good thing, but a benefit of being an adult is being able to incorporate your interests into conversation and other aspects of your life without alienating people by making it your entire deal. Funny how these multi-billion dollar corporations have a habit of creating toxic fanbases that incorporate their products into their personalities on such an integral level, either through being prevalent since a simpler, more comfortable time (childhood) or, in the case of Marvel, associating themselves with the long dissolved nerd culture (comics and superheroes and whatnot) who's fans might once have experienced some form of social judgement, thus creating this idea that current fans are somehow alternative, niche, nerdy, or in some way special for liking something that's currently so mainstream. Almost like it's extremely lucrative to create products that, despite how unimpressive the bulk are, capitalise on people's need for identity.