Retire "fanwank"

[Ghel]

This is the first time I created my own post, but I have to say that the very phrase "fanwank" needs to be retired. Here's why:

1. It's grossly overused.

2. All fiction is, to some degree, "fanwank." It is written and produced to entertain fans and therefore make money. This is especially true of any sequel.

3. It seems to be a phrase used primarily to disparage the opinions of others on the boards without adding anything constructive.
"I think Picard should be in the new movie." "Ah, we don't need any more fanwank!!!"
"I enjoy the books about the Genesis device." "Oh, those books are all fanwank."

Finally, it really just brings up bad mental images.


. . .Thoughts?

 

[Kegek]

Personally, I tend to use 'fan service', which essentially means the same thing; but I'll see your points.

Ghel said:
1. It's grossly overused

Probably.

2. All fiction is, to some degree, "fanwank." It is written and produced to entertain fans and therefore make money. This is especially true of any sequel.

All fiction aims to entertain people, yes. But how it aims to entertain people varies. The 'fan service' kind of entertainment is by entertaining fans by including a reference to something else in a franchise, frequently obscure. One can see Enterprise's fourth season for many examples of fan service.

Fan service is neither a good nor a bad thing; while amusing for initiates, the ultimate entertainment value of TV or film, lies in its narrative, style, acting, writing and so on. I frequently find it a lot of fun, as I did ENT's fourth season.

3. It seems to be a phrase used primarily to disparage the opinions of others on the boards without adding anything constructive.

It can. But it's also a valid criticism. If entertainment is very dependant on fan service; it alienates the casual viewer. While of personal importance, fan service arguments aren't really deal breakers. The presence of William Shatner or the adherence to canon will not ensure a quality product in the next film, for example; the film could hypothetically have neither and be a good movie. So when people suggest that fan service demands are prioritised over narrative integrity; I think a fair counter-criticism can be made.

Of course, on the other hand, the term is sometimes bandied around excessively. A brief shot of the NX-01 on a computer panel is clearly fan service; but wouldn't really hurt the film, and decrying it as fan service is not much of a response.

Finally, it really just brings up bad mental images.

Ironically, 'fan service' can have sexual connotations. It's often a euphemism for giving the fans the sex scenes or skimpy costumes they want. As far as I know, the rather more explicit 'fanwank' does not have this connotation.

 

[TigerOfDarkness]

Kegek said:
Ironically, 'fan service' can have sexual connotations. It's often a euphemism for giving the fans the sex scenes or skimpy costumes they want. As far as I know, the rather more explicit 'fanwank' does not have this connotation.

I assume you are not aware that "wank" is a UK slang term that indicates self-service, then? Either that, or I missed your irony.

 

[Kegek]

I am aware that it is a UK term for masturbation; for that matter it's also used here in Ireland.

My point is that 'fan service' can refer to sexual material on the show, while as far as I am aware 'fanwank' confines itself to continuity references and cameos etc. That's the irony; thought it was pretty transparent...

 

[Ghel]

Hmmm. . .the connotations of "service" seem somehow softer than "wank." Service can mean many things, wank . . .not so much

 

[payndz201]

I always thought the definition of 'fanwank' was stuff made up by the fans rather than created for them. It's the fans who are doing the wanking, not anyone connected with the property.

('All fiction is, to some degree, "fanwank"' is a pretty ridiculous statement whatever the definition: a person's first work of fiction has no fans when it initially comes out, since nobody's read it yet! It's closer to the truth to say 'All fiction is, to some degree, "authorwank"' - authors write for their own pleasure. And yes, I'm saying that as a published author who just delivered his third novel... )

 

[Therin of Andor]

Ghel said:
Finally, it really just brings up bad mental images.

Precisely why people who hate an over-reliance on continuity references and stunt casting use it.

Personally, I love in-jokes that only a percentage of an audience recognise. I never use the derogatory term because I actually look forward to those little moments of self-gratification...

... er, watching new ST, I mean.

 

[Dale]

Yes, "fanwank" has definitely "jumped the shark."

 

[EliyahuQeoni]

Dale Hoppert said:
Yes, "fanwank" has definitely "jumped the shark."

Personally, I think "Jumped the Shark" has jumped the shark!

 

[Kegek]

Saying that fanwank and/or "Jump the Shark" has jumped the shark is now... passé.

 

[exodus]

I agree Ghel .

I never liked the word myself for the exact same reasons you listed. It's just a very uncivilized sounding word.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

Let's also retire the use of the world "kewl" when describing the comments of fans of a particular film/television franchise you happen to dislike.

I've never actually seen someone write "kewl" when he wasn't mocking the supposed comments of another.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Count me as one who, having read that term approximately 6 billion times over the past couple of months in Trek XI, would be more than pleased to see it disappear forever.

 

[TGTheodore]

PKTrekGirl said:
Count me as one who, having read that term approximately 6 billion times over the past couple of months in Trek XI, would be more than pleased to see it disappear forever.

Okay, then ... how about ... say ... "fanwhack"?

--Ted

 

[Plecostomus]

So is fanwank jumping the shark or is jumping the shark fanwank?

SO CONFUSED!!!

 

[Tralah]

I've disliked the term since I've first seen it used here.

 

[Mallory]

PKTrekGirl said:
Count me as one who, having read that term approximately 6 billion times over the past couple of months in Trek XI, would be more than pleased to see it disappear forever.

Count me in. I've seen it more than a few times in reference to the remastered original series.

 

[Dale]

Kegek said:
Saying that fanwank and/or "Jump the Shark" has jumped the shark is now... passé.

"Passe" is SO over!

 

[Dale]

TG Theodore said:

PKTrekGirl said:
Count me as one who, having read that term approximately 6 billion times over the past couple of months in Trek XI, would be more than pleased to see it disappear forever.

Okay, then ... how about ... say ... "fanwhack"?

--Ted

I prefer the scientific terms "fansterbatory" or "fansterbation" to describe fanwanky passe things which have jumped the shark.

 

[gblews]

Ghel said:
. . .Thoughts?

If it is a reference you like, its called "continuity", if its something you don't like, its called "fanwank".

It is a purely subjective phrase.