Thread by @ThatAldenDiaz

I think that there’s a deep insecurity within the expression of a lot of pop culture opinions, and it leads to two reactions boiling to the surface:

1. The need to be academically/morally right in an opinion. Not enough to say “that didn’t work for me because [x].” No... (1/10)

...they must inject a sense moral/social superiority into said opinion, even over things like a CGI face. Not enough that it doesn’t resonate with you, it must be a campaign against it as a “ghoulish” ideological affront. A stance. Imbued into their identity/persona. (2/10)

And then there’s the other reaction:

2. A perceived sense of victimhood or being censored/oppressed for...a pop cultural take? For entertainment? NOT talking about when actual hatred & bigotry break into spaces, I’m talking about things like “criticism vs. positivity.” (3/10)

First of all, criticism & positivity are not mutually exclusive things. It doesn’t need to be a matter of sides. And furthermore, people expressing their joy doesn’t stop you from expressing things like concerns or ideas or critiques? Where did this idea start? (4/10)

There’s no thought police here. Maybe people that think that’s their role, but no actual entity. Expressing a “nobody can be critical” sentiment speaks to this massive air of insecurity. Is it that you can’t, or is that you feel uncomfortable being in the minority? (5/10)

Is it that you can’t, or is that you feel like any sort of clashing is bad? Is it that you can’t, or is it that you need agreement, validation, and the affirmation of supporters & peers? Is it actually that you can’t stand firm in your own love, criticism, whatever else? (6/10)

You don’t need to prove it with combativeness and feigned righteousness. You don’t need anyone else to approve it with their mostly worthless online agreement. Post those takes, post that read, post that interpretation. Own it. You’ll be happier. (7/10)

Related to this is the discussion of toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is NOT when people choose to focus on aspects they enjoyed, good emotions, and generally curate their output to not lean into the bad. Toxic positivity is pretending *REAL problems* don’t exist. (8/10)

There’s a fine line there. The phrasing has meaning and it’s just been used so much as this weaponized way to say “how dare you not agree with my criticisms?” More often than not, you don’t know the content of that person’s character, their struggles, etc. So chill. (9/10)

I implore you to hold the art close & say “This is what I think.” Likeminded folk will come. Seeing people that AREN’T likeminded isn’t an attack on you. You are not being told what to think. It’s all personal for so many. Let’s embrace that FULLY so that we worry less. (10/10)