Top 5 Meta, Take 2: Outside the 'verse and Into Real Life

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

When I posted my  first list  of "top 5" meta for the year I already knew I would do a second list, because there were too many good meta from the year to limit to just five. What I hadn't known or planned on was how neatly the two lists would fall into groupings. Where the first concerned itself with issues within the Buffyverse itself; this second set combines analysis and history with personal meditations and observations.  My response to BtVS was on first watch and continues to be a combination of emotion and intellect I haven't experienced with anything else in pop culture; and essays that reflect this complicated response and bridge the two not only touch a chord in me, they demonstrate why the story of a Slayer and her friends still matters.

"Some Willow [Rosenberg]-y Thoughts, Part 1"   by   local_max   The brief self-assessment at the beginning of this essay, followed by his usual incisive examination of Willow's arc, nearly breaks my heart; in describing himself, it feels as though he is describing me on my behalf because I lack the courage to do so. And as always, his examination of Ms Rosenberg sets me back on my heels to reconsider everything I thought I knew about her.

"Moar Buffy Meta for Mid Season 6"  by   coracle33   Her (I am assuming gender, with apologies) analysis of Willow and Buffy's shared addiction arc - the misdirect both characters make from from the real sources of their problems onto their addictive habits - and why it works for her is very much against the grain of general fan opinion regarding that storyline.  She argues persuasively for it nonetheless, and as another member of fandom who struggles with depression, she reminds me all over again just why S6 strikes struck a deep emotional and intellectual chord in me.  She's only written two posts, both about S6, on her LJ, but I hope for more in 2013.

"In Which I Ramble On"   by  rahirah   A sharp, incisive meta about interpersonal fandom dynamics, factional divisions and the toxic results of hanging onto our own "principles" to the exclusion of respecting one another, by one of the most respected voices in this fandom. Can’t we all just get along? The cherry on top: one of my favorite descriptions of Buffy Anne Summers, bar none.

"Being a Buffy Fan on the Internet 1998 - 2012"   by  shadowkat67  .  A personal response and historical timeline of nearly every major development in this fandom from the beginning: the near-simultaneous birth of BtVS and the explosion of fandom on the internet; the sites were fans congregated, celebrated and fought; every major controversy, faction and war. Recommended for cultural historians, long-time fans nostalgic for the "good old days" - or not; and newbies like myself who had no idea what they'd gotten themselves into and are trying to avoid the landmines.

"Untitled (Ruminations on Writing Fanfiction, Personal Expression, and Depression)"  by  angearia  This one hit me hard because I see myself in every word of it. A very personal meditation about writing in fandom, and finding small spaces of release and relief in letting the words flow on the page; the unfair stereotypes of the people who are unemployed and/or work very hard in crushing "menial" jobs just to get by; and how unemployment and depression combine to strangle creativity. Like Buffy, Emmie is full of love - and courage. Simply admitting that one is un- or underemployed (i.e. poor), or depressed, is terrifying in a world interprets both states as personal failures and moral sins. (ETA: I didn't realize when I posted that this meta is friendslocked. Post is now unlocked.)

Originally posted on DreamWidt http://buffyversetop5.dreamwidth.org/330120.html

Comments

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

2012 was a good year for meta, thanks for posting.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I may end up doing yet a third list.

[justwolf.livejournal.com]

These are really interesting essays, and I hugely enjoyed getting the chance to look them over. Thank you for posting them. I've been in Buffy fandom since 2001, and it was interesting for me to see the different perspectives on the fandom, as well as gaining insights into it. It's interesting to see how this fandom has developed, and I'm hugely grateful that it's still around.

Unfortunately the essay by angearia appears to be friendslocked.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Yikes - didn't even realize that. Maybe I can replace it with another.

[justwolf.livejournal.com]

It looked like a really interesting essay too, especially to me, as I have depression too. Ah well, I'm sure if you do end up replacing it, whatever you choose will be interesting also!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose you could just ask to friend her? There is one other meta I could replace it with, that isn't a "fandom" meta, but if there are folks on her flist who happen to have missed this before I want to give them a chance to see it.

Looking over her LJ I could actually do a "top 5" just of her meta.

[justwolf.livejournal.com]

I might do that, yes! Her LJ look great, anyway.

If you do end up replacting that meta, I'm sure I'll read whatever else you link to! These were all so interesting. :) I haven't read much meta in a long time (years) and it's good to look it again.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Good news, Emmie just opened that essay up to the public, so enjoy!

[rebcake.livejournal.com]

Thanks for these lovely links. Discussion is so critical to the fandom experience, even if we all think we're here for the fic. ;-)

Would consider posting your lists on buffyversemeta as well?

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

There's a site just for Buffyverse meta? *jaw drops* OMG how did I not know about this and how much do I love you? *hugs*

[coracle33.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, thanks for reccing my little essay! I've got M.E. and have been quite ill since autumn so I didn't see your continuation of the discussion on my LJ, what a lovely surprise! You and local_max make some really interesting points, I wish I hadn't missed it.

I have got another bit of meta in the works about how much validation each character receives, when, why, and from whom, and how it effects their outlook. I had forgotten all about it due to an extended period of illness, but you have refocused me and reminded me that there are things that I enjoy that are possible. Thank you very much, you have really cheered me up just when I needed it! I will start working on it again when I am well enough, and hope to be able to have another go at 'joining in' soon!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

It's good to hear from you! I'd been worrying/wondering about how you were. (Having some major health issues myself, my brain automatically "goes there". That and, wondering if someone has died. Morbid much?)

What is M.E.? (Or do you mean MS?)

You and local_max make some really interesting points, I wish I hadn't missed it.

Oh you can always respond at a later time, it doesn't have to be "right then". We'll get the notices in our inboxes. I've popped into convos or reviewed fics that are up to 10 years old and gotten some wonderful responses even if I wasn't part of the original conversation. that's how I initially built my flist. I don't know how else to do it except dive right in. (I've noticed that Fic authors are especially pleased that people are still finding their stories.)

I have got another bit of meta in the works about how much validation each character receives, when, why, and from whom, and how it effects their outlook.

YES PLEASE! This sounds right up my alley. I've thought about doing a meta about how rarely the words "I love you" or "I'm sorry" are spoken by any of the characters on the show; silent actions or other phrases such as "I'm proud of you" are used to convey those sentiments, but I doubt I'd get to it.

Thank you very much, you have really cheered me up just when I needed it! I will start working on it again when I am well enough

I'm very glad I could. I've been dealing with depression and injury right now (in addition to all the other pre-existing problems), and I've been really slow on my own meta posts so trust when I say I understand. Take all the time you need. *hugs*

[yourlibrarian]

Glad to see your post made it!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

thanks! I worked like hell to get both of these in AND post here and DW. Now I've got a crashing headache. *lol*

[angearia.livejournal.com]

Thank you for including me! ♥ I've read many of these already, but I'm excited to check out coracle's writing on Buffy and S6.

(Also, I've opened my post for anyone who wants to read it.)

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

She's only got two posts right now but I love her insights, and she's got ideas for something new (upthread).

Including you was a pleasure, and I meant every word of it. (I added two more of yours to my part three list) In a way this is an apology of sorts for not responding to that post when I first meant to. So often I feel like you are speaking for me, and it's wonderful to be reminded that I'm not alone in any of this.

BTW - have you read that lovely letter to the fandom from Amber Benson (http://toquotebuffy.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/letter-from-amber-benson/) that su_herald (http://su_herald) linked to recently? It reminded me a little of you.

[shapinglight]

Thanks for the links. Some of those look very interesting.

Wednesday, January 16

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User oni_9 referenced to your post from Wednesday, January 16 (http://su-herald.livejournal.com/633097.html) saying: [...] [Fandom Discussion] Top 5 Meta, Take 2: Outside the 'verse and Into Real Life [...]