*sigh* When authors should know better.

[roseembolism]

I won't really go into the latest racefail controversy, AKA "Mammothfail". I just want to point out that it's really a distressing feeling to read the comments of an author you respect, and find yourself muttering "No, No, no! Just, stop. You're NOT helping. I know you're trying to support your friend, but you're making things worse. No see, you're still typing. That's bad. Aw, no, not with the metaphors, just back. Away. Slowly."

A part of my mind is trying to adapt the Tom Leher song "Who's Next" to Racefail, as I wonder who the next author I respect is going to make the mistake of explaining their way deeper into a mess.

Comments

[sandpanther.livejournal.com]

As for me, I think it's been a valuable experience for me, since the basic lesson is "It's OK to write about people from other cultures, but do your research so as to not perpetuate a stereotype or otherwise enact one of the race tropes from TV tropes."

Playing devil's advocate (or perhaps not?), I say: Why bother? If it's a good story and people enjoy it what does it matter if it's even remotely accurate to some real-world analog? I thought part of the point of creating a fantasy world was to not be constrained by the restrictions of the real world? You'll lose some audience since they don't want to deal with the stereotypes. But most people won't have a problem.

For example, I don't have to take off my other mitten to count the number of books set in Japan-analog worlds that I've read and enjoyed, and I will generally de-select based on "world thinks it's in Japan Y/N?" But I'm just one reader, and there are many others out there who have no problem with it, and even enjoy the setting. (I would wager some even read this LJ, so they are by no means an unrefined audience.)


And just because I hear that Racefail had some very valuable posts, I ask: linkie?