I must be incredibly naive. When I go online, whether it’s a message board, Facebook or Twitter…or even on this blog…I tend to take people at face value. I don’t really see the point in lying, setting up false personas, or hiding. That doesn’t mean I have a lack of understanding, or realize that others somehow gain a sense of great personal joy from duping others, it’s just that I don’t operate in quite that way. Sometimes, I get burned.
I know plenty of people who have screen names, whether it’s due to wanting to keep personal and public lives separate, or wanting fans to guess, or not guess, who is doing the tweeting. (Yes, @TVManiaMusic I am looking at you.) I have friends who have told me that they want to communicate with Duranies on one Facebook page, and have family and real-life friends on another. These are completely different situations from trickery.
The idea of creating an account purely to trick people is so incredibly deceitful, and it brings on memories of high school or even junior high when anonymous notes would be mysteriously found in one’s locker or backpack at school. However, I recognize the urge to use the internet as some sick way to reinvent. Why tell people what you really think and show them who you really are when you can become virtually anyone else and still tell them what you think with a lot less thoughtfulness? The cloak of anonymity that the net provides is protective, safe and provides a very addictive sense of bravado.
What bothers me most is that Amanda and I have worked very hard to try and bring the community together. We want fans to reach out, to connect online – whether it’s with us, with one another, or even with the band or other celebrities. Amanda and I still very much believe that there are real relationships to be gained from such experience. That’s why we’ve tried to plan fan events, encouraged discussion, chatted as much as possible online, and opened ourselves up to scrutiny on an ongoing, never-ending basis. The online environment requires a certain sense of trust, and each of us, and not just Amanda and I – but all of you as well, have worked hard to trust, at least partially. When someone decides to use that trust in order to deceive, I really have to wonder what has become of the world.
I suppose that along with virtually every other facet of life, the bad walks right alongside good, and it is our job as people to be able to navigate between the two. Sometimes we succeed, and other times, we do not. As I mentioned to friends today, I get very tired keeping my guard up. I would much rather put myself out there and expect the best, rather than the worst. Someone once said that when people put themselves out there, they should expect ridicule. That is unfortunate, but truthful. I accept that part of being a writer. That said, what about fans? Should fans never follow someone on Twitter that interests them because they can never quite be sure of who is truly handling the account or who might use their words or play a trick on them next? It certainly takes the fun nature of communicating right out of the picture, doesn’t it? Sure, Twitter has the whole “verified account” thing, but as I’ve learned – it takes time. Should we never follow anyone or believe anything we read or hear otherwise? Another friend of mine mentioned that this very situation is exactly why she never believes anything unless it slaps her in the face. Also unfortunate, and it pains me to see that this is what we’ve become.
I recognize that the topic of this blog might seem vague to most. I don’t see the point in rehashing events that led me to this topic in excruciating detail, but I think the main ideas can lead to some discussion for all. We as a community, a fan community if you will, have come a long way since 1981. What once was a sort of enigmatic entity out “there” in space somewhere (other Duran Duran fans) has become a sort of something that all of us, you, me, everyone, can tangibly experience on a daily basis at our choosing. What was once pretty well-fractured has become much more whole, and some might even say – healthier.
There will always be those who wish to exploit the enthusiasm of others. I’m proud of being a fan. I’m excited about having the ability to chat with people whom I have adored and/or idolized for years. I like the idea that should they so choose to hit the “reply” button, they can communicate with me and share ideas, or even a laugh or two. It is disgusting that there are people out there who think it’s somehow funny to exploit the curiosity, excitement and idolization of others in order to make a joke or prove a point. I only hope that it doesn’t stop us from reaching out and communicating with one another. That my friends, would be the true injustice.
-R
I have always considered the buying of, and displaying of fan merchandise, as a way to support my favorite band, and to show that I am proud to be a Duranie. Yes, the band members are easy on the eyes, but I was in love with their music well before I ever laid eyes on them, so I have always respected them as artists from the git go. Which is how I can usually tell weather, or not a person who says Duran Duran is a fluff band, has ever actually listened to their music, or not. And more often than not they had never given their music a chance, just because they had seen their pictures, and thus had instantly classified them as a boy band. I was ridiculed in high school for still being a Duranie, when my peer mates had turned to bands like Poison, and White Snake, because those bands were what was new, and hot, and Duran Duran was considered out of style. I am now very glad that I was not like the other girls I went to school with, and stayed loyal to my favorite band, unlike them. Duran Duran, is still kicken' but, and taken names, but where are the bands that they were so fond of now? I'll tell you, their band are no longer together, or they are playing clubs, performing the same tired old songs that made them famous, but no new material, simply because their fans only liked them for certain songs. But we Duranies enjoy all of the music our guys produce, from every decade that they have been active, and we are loyal fans, who gladly, and proudly show our fandom by purchasing, and displaying the Duran Duran paraphernalia we have acquired over the years. In fact, when I finally got to see them in concert for the first time last year, I wore a band button that I have had since 1985, and while at the concert I purchased a new band button to go with it. Plus every bit of merchandise we buy further supports our guys, and I personally want nothing but the best for them, in gratitude for all of the beautiful music that they have shared with us for so many years. So with love for their music, and out of respect for the men, I will continue to purchase memorabilia, and display it with pride.
I like Duran Duran, but I also like many other bands like U2, Boston, and the Police. Hey, my favorite band is the Moody Blues, and they were way before my time. I simply never shared my musical interests with friends in high school because I did not like being told I needed to like this or that. I like Duran Duran, and I am glad I rediscovered their music a few years ago. I am not a concert going kind of fan, but I love listening to their music.