# Why are Star Wars fans so defensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 25, 2002, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843 "2002-05-25T22:32:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/41 "2002-05-30T19:47:53Z")
On a related vein, check out the [5/29/2002 comic](http://www.dorktower.com/images/comics/DT18Sample01.jpg) at [Dork Tower.](http://www.dorktower.com) Replace “gamer” with “Trekkie” and we’re there. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/42 "2002-05-31T04:03:30Z")
> [@](#): > > My reaction to people who don’t get the things I enjoy is to say “Eh… it’s their loss”. If you compare the monthly anti-rap threads with the anti-Star Wars threads, you see a distinct difference; Star Wars fans resort to personal insults rather quickly. And I’ve seen a very different tendency. Star Wars criticisms tend to be far more nasty anyway… fans just respond in kind. > [@](#): > > But I was shocked at the vitriol in the posts telling me I got my facts wrong. Post some examples, because when I read the thread, I saw no vitriol at all (note: “Did you even watch the movie?” is NOT an example of vitriol… just incredulity). ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/43 "2002-05-31T05:51:40Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\* > And I’ve seen a very different tendency. Star Wars criticisms tend to be far more nasty anyway… fans just respond in kind._\* I must have missed the threads calling Star Wars fans ignorant ghetto thugs… I have seen a few threads questioning elements of the _movies_, I have yet to see a thread attacking the fans. Maybe I’m just not reading the right threads. (For the record, while I may not be obsessive about Star Wars I am just as much of a geek as anyone else here.) > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*Post some examples, because when I read the thread, I saw no vitriol at all (note: “Did you even watch the movie?” is NOT an example of vitriol… just incredulity). \*\* I originally cut and pasted a couple of quotes from the second thread linked in the OP, but decided not to post it because the people who made vitriolic comments have since appologised and I don’t want to reopen that whole thang. “Did you even watch the movie” does seem pretty harsh when responding to a very detailed post that _clearly could not have been made by an uninformed party_. I wouldn’t say it was “vitriolic”, more like “childish”. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/44 "2002-05-31T21:37:58Z")
> [@](#): > > I must have missed the threads calling Star Wars fans ignorant ghetto thugs Color me confused. > [@](#): > > I have seen a few threads questioning elements of the movies, I have yet to see a thread attacking the fans. Maybe I’m just not reading the right threads. Right back atcha. I haven’t seen this phenomenon of “Overly defensive fans”. I stand by my comments that this is not unique to Star Wars fans alone. I would postulate that what you consider to be an increase in defensiveness is really just an increase in attention. With the release of the new movie, Star Wars is what’s on everyone’s mind, and so there are more threads about it… and, as such, you notice the fan’s reactions more. But I can guarantee you we saw the same effects when FOTR was released, and we’ll most like see it when _Star Trek X: Nemesis_ and/or the next Harry Potter movie is released. Further, we see the same defensiveness coming from the more diehard fans of video game consoles, types of computers, genres (or specific examples of) computer/video games, comic books, etc. etc. Remember all the threads about console wars back when the Xbox/Gamecube were released? > [@](#): > > I originally cut and pasted a couple of quotes from the second thread linked in the OP, but decided not to post it because the people who made vitriolic comments have since appologised and I don’t want to reopen that whole thang. I’m not denying that some people can make heated comments. I’m just rejecting the notion that it’s a tendency unique to SW fans. > [@](#): > > “Did you even watch the movie” does seem pretty harsh when responding to a very detailed post that clearly could not have been made by an uninformed party. I wouldn’t say it was “vitriolic”, more like “childish”. How about “An expression of frustration”? I’ll say again… when someone criticizes a movie on a point in which the answer is plainly obvious even from a single viewing of that movie, it’s a poor criticism. ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/45 "2002-05-31T22:16:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > > ## quote: _by me_ > > ## But I was shocked at the vitriol in the posts telling me I got my facts wrong. > > Post some examples, because when I read the thread, I saw no vitriol at all (note: “Did you even watch the movie?” is NOT an example of vitriol… just incredulity). \*\* Oh bullshit, **SPOOFE.** My OP stated that I had just seen AOTC the night before. Maybe they thought I had fallen asleep during it. But that would have been impossible - the film was simply too … loud. 😃 Sua ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/46 "2002-05-31T23:35:20Z")
Since it’s apparently my comments to Sua which prompted this thread (in part), I should point out the dangers of making assumptions from a written forum where tone of voice cannot be detected. The comment was supposed to be _mock_ incredulous, and I hoped Sua would recognize that, since I’ve never shown any vitriol towards him that I can recall, nor he towards me. If it came off as actually hostile, that’s my fault, and I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Bob\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Scene)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/47 "2002-06-02T03:37:20Z")
Speaking of _Star Wars_ fans being defensive, here’s a rant by a conservative columnist who says that giving _Attack Of The Clones_ a bad review is tantamount to “defecating in America’s living room.” > **[Newsmax.com - Breaking news from around the globe](https://www.newsmax.com)** > > Newsmax.com reports today’s news headlines, live news stream, news videos from Americans and global readers > seeking the latest in current events, politics, U.S., world news, health, finance, and more. Is it a parody? It’s always hard to tell with conservatives. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/48 "2002-06-02T20:57:02Z")
That’s got to be a parody. I mean, I can understand liking the movie (even if I didn’t like it personally) but comparing it to Shakespeare, the Iliad, and the Pieta all at the same time? Maybe this is some residual Reaganmania. “You can’t criticize the new Star Wars movie! It’s all that stands between us and the Russians!” ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/49 "2002-06-02T21:20:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bob Scene \* > \*\*Is it a parody? It’s always hard to tell with conservatives. \*\* Oh my god, was that funny. The giveaway is when he waxes rhapsodic about the C3PO scenes- even the hardest-core Star Wars fans I know were embarassed by that bit. “I’m beside myself”- 😛 ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/50 "2002-06-02T22:08:32Z")
I’m ashamed to admit that I laughed at that line. :: hangs head and turns in her fangirl pin :: I’m so very sorry. Zette ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/51 "2002-06-03T04:49:28Z")
You want ignorant bile spewing vitriolic Star Wars geeks? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you [WSLer](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=118378). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WSLer \* > \*\*What the **fuck** do you people want? Gone With the Fucking Wind, set in a galaxy far, far away? > > Christ, sometimes I really despise the Internet. \*\* Truly, a thing of beauty. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/52 "2002-06-03T09:01:38Z")
“If someone seriously gives credence to the idea that Led Zeppelin songs contain Satanic messages which can be heard by playing the record backwards is going to get a drubbing here - and it’s not because we’re a bunch of stoner Led Zep fans - it’s just that the “smartest, hippest people on the planet” get a lot of joy out of tormenting “a few total dipsticks.”” uh have you ever actually PLAYED any zeplin tunes backwards? its been awhile but I believe it was stairway to heaven with the “glory and satan” popping up when played backwards. no I am not saying it was on purpose, but it was clear enough that we all heard it the first time. note we did this with a 4 track way back, now you could just get a wave and an editor and click a couple times to do the same thing…looks like I am off to dl some zepplin. yup the line where he says “yes there are two paths you can go by” I think its the words “two paths” that come out as “glory and satan” when you reverse them. hardly a satanic message but not entirely false. just way overblown is all. ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/53 "2002-06-03T17:02:24Z")
That thread I linked above is brilliant, Star Wars geeks being incredibly offended and saying _hateful_ things because someone dares to not like a movie. _originally posted by owlofcreamcheese_ > [@](#): > > people love to hate things… I know people are already all excited to go see the third one the minute it opens just so they can be all cool and angsty and hate things. its so cool these days to hate things that are popular. it shows how diffrent you can be… by acting just like everyone else! it makes you L33t Yeah, thats it, we’re all a bunch of hatas. What is especially funny is that the type of jackass who speaks l33t is most likely a star wars fan. _originally posted by trixiebix_ > [@](#): > > I hate over-critiqueing of movies!!! you didn’t like the acting? then you try out for the next one. Try to enjoy it for what it was… its called entertainment!!! You’re not supposed to overthink entertainment… defeats the purpose!!! Yes, must… shut down… higher brain functions… Ohh… something shiny just darted by… wow… something just went BOOM… Trust me, y’all, movies are too expensive these days for anyone to pay for a ticket to a movie they _want_ to hate. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Baroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Billy\_Baroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Baroo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/54 "2002-06-04T22:29:39Z")
Gosh, **grendel72,** you appear to glean at least a little perverse glee from ripping on Star Wars fans. You act like you are above it all in the OP, yet in that last post you merrily sling some insults. Anyway, before you started with the humor-impaired barbs and mockery, you made a quasi-point in the OP: > [@](#): > > \*\*Watching a movie from a deconstructive POV is not insulting the fans of said movie. \*\* You may be right. But see, what I’m reading there is that a big part of this type of moviegoing enjoyment involves nitpicking, debunking, catching continuity errors, etc. Making a mental list of what’s wrong with the movie. That’s just fucking stupid. Or the work of an asshole who can’t wait to make someone who enjoyed the movie cry. Schadenfreude feels good. I used to do the same thing to Grateful Dead fans. Then I turned 20, and I realized what a loudmouth prick I was being. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/55 "2002-06-05T01:30:20Z")
grendel, you might want to dial down your sensitivity meter a tad if the two posters you quoted struck you as “hateful.” ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/56 "2002-06-05T04:42:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weirddave \* > \*\* > > Lets compare, shall we? > > Weirddave: Start Trek fan, marrying a georgious redhead. > > SPOOFE: Star Wars fan, looks like Snufalufagus from Sesame Street and has…interesting notions of oral hygene. > How is this making your point again, SPOOFE? > > :D:D:D \*\* That’s SnuffleuPagus, you uncultured swine! ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/57 "2002-06-06T01:47:48Z")
You know, I don’t think it’s strictly a _Star Wars_ phenomenon. If people really, really, _really_ like something (i.e. football, synchronized swimming, Woody Allen flicks, Dungeons and Dragons…), then it has some sort of ownership of their heart. Sounds mushy for the boys thinking “Baseball has ownership of my _heart?_” but it’s basically saying that a part of yourself is deeply invested in whatever it is because it incites passion. If something has that kind of personal touch, then they may in essence get their feelings hurt if someone disagrees because it seems indirectly an attack on them. It’s understandable. I dated (briefly) someone who took the Kansas City Chiefs waaaaaaaaaaay too seriously (for me). So, I’m sitting here thinking: what is a passion I have people could sharply disagree with/despise/whatever? Hmm. Horse racing, perhaps. But here’s the thing…people can and do hate it. The existence of a countering opinion is a fact. If I saw a “Horse racing sucks” thread, I’d likely peruse it, perhaps add factual clarifications, but I wouldn’t engage in any sort of defense or debate because no one’s mind would be changed and all that would happen is the flinging of insults. This is why I don’t go to Great Debates. I listen to opinions, make my own judgements of them, and pretty much keep quiet unless it’s a Serlin-esque dumbfundity. (Those are fun to poke at.) That _Star Wars_ fans are a bit protective of something they love is fine. What I don’t understand is their need to rush to defense in a thread called “Who else thinks AOTC STANK” when clearly, people who post to it thought it stank and aren’t going to change their opinions. Just a few rambling thoughts. Uh…really rambling. I’m going to go workout now. And stuff. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/58 "2002-06-06T02:09:01Z")
Just FTR, I was active in the “Who else thinks AOTC STANK” thread, and I don’t get some sort of perverse glee over nitpicking movies and putting down SW fans. As a matter of fact, I’ve been making a pointed effort to stay out of the “Star Wars is So GREAT!!!” type threads precisely because I don’t want to be a bitch with “Hey you all suck, this movies suck, suck suck SUCK!!!” However, I don’t tihnk there is anything wrong with voicing an opinion in a thread dedicated to the opinion that I already have. Just rambling now, without a real point… ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2002, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843/59 "2002-06-06T02:50:15Z")
> [@](#): > > However, I don’t tihnk there is anything wrong with voicing an opinion in a thread dedicated to the opinion that I already have. There’s a more concise form of a similar point I was attempting to make. Well said, PLG! > [@](#): > > Just rambling now, without a real point… Apparently, I’m contagious. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-star-wars-fans-so-defensive/110843.md?page=2)