My Thoughts on Cosplay-shaming & Responsible Fandom
(In response to Misa on Wheels - although I found her post via Facebook, if I find the corresponding Tumblr post, Iāll link it here.)
One of my friends commented that Cosplay has become full of negative attitudes and criticism/elitism, much like the ābad, old daysā of being a geek, and that for him, itās leached the fun out of the hobby. Another friend commented that fear of Cosplay-shaming and 'slutificationā keeps her as a relative newcomer away from the hobby.
I enjoy Cosplay as both a fan & as a cosplayer, so I was disturbed by my friendsā takeaway from Misaās post. I also have a long-standing interest in what I call āresponsible fandomā, so this post was my response:
This is one of those things where a few loud voices in an echo chamber make you think that "everyone" is saying the same thing.
There are assholes in cosplay / cosplay-fandom just like there are assholes in every other aspect of modern life. The only difference between past and present is that social media lets (encourages?) people doing cosplay to solicit opinions from total strangers / the net-at-large, who may not be as well-mannered (or self-moderated) as say, folks you meet face-to-face at a con or cosplay meetup.
You guys are talking about 3 different "trends", none of which are as default as you might think.
First, there's the 'stripperiffic cosplay' thing, which IMO just comes from a place of business - internet burlesque models testing/using cosplay as a way to expand their market. There are garden-variety 'hot/sexy cosplayers' too, but that's folks being folks, nothing new to see there.
Second, there's this hipster-weeaboo thing where some folks think creative pursuits should all be strictly 'regulated' according to some set of rules, accuracy/precision, who is & is not allowed to do what cosplay/knitting/cooking project, etc. That's just straight-up bullying from folks who are anxious that others will see through their "mean girls" act to the quivering, insecure person beneath.
I wish more folks found the self-confidence to tell those people off, but geeks in general, and newcomers to any hobby, tend to be extra susceptible to such intimidation tactics. The only solution I see there is community-policing, and making sure folks who try that shit are 're-educated', or get the 'talk-to-the-hand' response.
And finally, as cosplay becomes more mainstream, and gets more exposure & participation (as makers or fans), it simply starts to absorb the same cues and pros/cons of other hobbies. Yeah, the news will cover the extremes, and ignore the 'regular-person' cosplay. Yes, the trolls and "armchair-cosplayers" will voice their unwanted opinions.
And yeah, people's existing insecurities and self-image/social-belonging issues will bleed over into their hobby. Cosplay doesn't actually transform you - you're still Cinderella under the fancy dress. Itās still up to you - and only you! - to decide how/whether to enjoy the ball while you're there.
If I can kind of coalesce my thoughts on the topic of responsible fandom, I might do a panel about it this year. So thoughts & discussion are welcome. (Threats and bullshit are out - spirited/passionate is okay, but uncivil is not.)