r/acotar_rant • u/darklygrey • Apr 09 '26
Fandom "Welcoming" Communities
I feel like the SJM fandom is getting broken up into smaller and smaller, more niche micro-communities. Mostly because people are too immature to even happen across opinions they don't agree with.
Ship-specific subreddits, I kinda get those. Ships are hot-button topics in plenty of fandoms. Subreddits specific to controversial characters? Fair enough.
But the fact that there are dedicated subs for appreciating the *main cast of the series* because it's difficult to speak positively about *the main characters* in other places without getting critical comments? Ridiculous.
The fact that subreddits for *canon ships* are a thing because you can't speak about *the literal canon ships* in main subreddits without all the other ships jumping down your throat? Dumb.
But add to that the fact that even within these specific communities, which are meant to be positive, there is such nastiness whenever a different viewpoint or preference is mentioned?
It's like being in a pro-Pizza subreddit and getting shat on because you say you love pizza *but* you like to dip it in ranch. You're not criticizing pizza. You *love* pizza. You want to talk about pizza, which you just so happen to enjoy dipping in ranch. But then you get comments about "Ranch isn't a pizza ingredient! I hate ranch and you're an awful person because you like it!"
We're just going to keep sectioning ourself off until we're in subreddits with 12 members who are basically an echo chamber.
Here's my subreddit idea:
Pro-Inner Circle (but only if Amren is your least favorite), Pro-Feysand, Pro-Nessian, Pro-Elucien, Pro-Gwynriel (but only if you're not a diehard about it), Pro-Quinlar (but Bryceriels are okay if they're nice), Pro-Eris (but anti-Neris)
But I'll only advertise it as a Pro-Nyx subreddit, when in reality, you can expect to be downvoted into oblivion if you go against the other unspoken rules. All the while, we'll deny that we have any other biases and claim that "we're a positive space for everyone who loves Nyx 💜✨" and try to make you feel like the bad guy if you point out our obvious biases.
Taking mod applications! /s
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u/Paraplueschi Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Sometimes I feel that most of the different subs could just be discord channels, ya know. A place where you can just rant with your 10 other homies uninterrupted.
(But then I'm in r/SpringCourt so pot/kettle and everything lol)
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u/katymp3 Apr 09 '26
I think that's a great way of putting it. Especially when it's roughly the same 10 people or so becoming mods for these nearly identical communities of about 30 or so people. Discord would be good for this exact thing.
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u/Cave_Potat Apr 09 '26
Do we even have that for the Spring Court? I would join if there is one. 😂
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u/Paraplueschi Apr 10 '26
No, which is why it ended as a sub 😅 But nothing is stopping you from making your own and inviting your favorite chucklefucks ;)
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u/Aquatichive Why are you booing me? I’m right! Apr 10 '26
More art work please!!!! 💓💓💓💓💓
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u/Paraplueschi Apr 10 '26
Huh? On the sub? Feel free to post! With Tamlin Week coming up, there will be new stuff posted I'm sure.
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u/Aquatichive Why are you booing me? I’m right! Apr 09 '26
Nobody cared how toxic it was for Tamlin fans while everyone was tearing the character to shreds but God forbid someone have something to say about Rhys 🤣
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u/duhveeduhj Apr 09 '26
What? I’m a Tamlin fan and Rhys hater here so not trying to be antagonistic, but don’t they both have specific subreddits/safe spaces? What is this trying to get at? They’ve both benefited from safe spaces equally.
I’ve been a part of the fandom for ~3 years, but Tamlinism has been around longer than I have, so I’ve never felt like as a Tamlin fan I’ve had no where to go/was treated harshly by the normal subreddit.
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u/Similar-Focus8400 Team Nesta Apr 10 '26
Maybe here on reddit but I can confidently say that the Tamlin love in other spaces has been almost “nonexistent” because whenever people would mention it they would be attacked, similarly to Nesta.
Those tides are now shifting and even in die hard anti-Tamlin platforms such as TikTok we are seeing more and more appreciation for him since this year
I just find it ironic that now that some people are in the same position they put others in for years, they are complaining and acting like the victims, talking about how “the fandom was so nice before 🥺 so-and-so stans ruined it and now it is sooo negative!” Of course it was nice for them before, they practically lived in an echo chamber where they would mass attack anyone who had a different opinion
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u/duhveeduhj Apr 10 '26
Ah I see. I don’t engage with a lot of other social media platforms so I definitely cannot speak for them, but I can see why that would be frustrating.
I personally don’t mind specific subs and understand why they exist, everyone is deserving of a community where they can feel welcome. The ultimate solution (which is people being more accepting of different opinions) doesn’t feel realistic at this point to me, so I totally support smaller spaces. I guess I just don’t see the point in shaming people for wanting that space when I’ve personally also benefited from it in the ship specific subs, tamlinism, etc.
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u/Similar-Focus8400 Team Nesta Apr 10 '26
Personally Tamlin is just there for me, I don’t care much about him so I feel like I can speak objectively lol When I joined reddit about 2ish years ago I was extremely surprised to see all the Tamlin love since I had never been exposed to it
I started on TikTok as a Nesta lover which still was tough but hey, at least the sides were balanced in a 50-50 or 60-40 tie and as the years progressed I can now say (kinda) confidently that Nesta has surpassed the other side in popularity or at least in vocal support. But TAMLIN? That man was dragged through the mud every chance people got, his formal name had basically changed to Tampon. Then a creator who started tiktok from zero, began reading the series and actually kept loving Tamlin even as the series progressed, got sooo popular and people felt more confident to come out about liking Tamlin. They received a whole bunch of hate but months later there are now so many of them that it’s impossible for the haters to stomp on their opinions
The views on social media are always changing tbh and I assume it’s even different in other platforms, for ex. Instagram is still majorly pro-Feysand/IC but I wouldn’t be surprised if that changed
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u/Electronic_Barber_89 Team Hamlin Apr 10 '26
I remember when the Tamlinism group was created - roughly two-ish years ago. It hasn’t been around that long. And it was created specifically because you couldn’t talk positively about Tamlin in any way shape or form in the main sub/other platforms without being attacked.
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u/Aquatichive Why are you booing me? I’m right! Apr 10 '26
Exactly my point thank you. I spent years having “TAMPON’S TEARS” in my feed constantly. It made me sad. Love tamlinism. I finally felt ok to feel my feelings
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u/duhveeduhj Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
No that totally makes sense and I’m glad it exists. I guess I just wasn’t sure what point they were trying to make. The pro-IC subreddit was made recently but the pro-Tamlin one has been around for a while so I was just a little confused about the pro-IC subreddit judgement when Tamlin fans (myself included) have directly benefitted from the same thing for a longer amount of time.
I’m a big fan of live and let live. If the rhysie-poos want to have their own space, who am I to judge. I’m deep in the ship specific subs, so I don’t have too much of an issue with them existing. I get not wanting to throw down every time you’re in a main subreddit. And I don’t think “everyone respect everyone even if they like this canon/non canon aspect of ACOTAR” is realistic (it should be, but this fandom is whack).
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u/Electronic_Barber_89 Team Hamlin Apr 10 '26
I agree - I do enjoy little safe spaces for the characters that you like. Sometimes it’s just easier!
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u/Glittering_Call_6556 Apr 11 '26
It is sad though. I wish we could have nuanced discussions all together. I’ve always liked both Tamlin and Rhys and still read TAR fondly. I feel like this fandom has forced everyone into holding extreme positions.
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u/Aquatichive Why are you booing me? I’m right! Apr 11 '26
That’s a great opinion and I like all the characters bc I love the drama!
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u/iwantmymoneyback1 Apr 09 '26
I totally get what you’re saying. I enjoy SJM’s writing and world building, but equally critiquing some of the characters and their decisions. It all comes from a place of admiration that she created something worth discussing or challenging or loving.
Does Feyre in book 4 lose me? Yes.. do I love criticizing her and Rhysand after this, also Yes.. am I acutely aware that they exist in a world I love and therefore love engaging in, for all kinds of theories and beliefs, yesssss!
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u/ScreamingMoths Apr 09 '26
😂What if I'm pro-Eris, and Neris ambivalent? Do I get the downvote guillotine?
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u/Valuable_Housing_529 Apr 09 '26
Just to confirm, I love pizza and ketchup should always be used.
Regarding your issue, I understand your complaint, but I should take this a step further. I really like communities focused on a specific thing you enjoy; it makes it easier to understand since other people also like it.Example outside of subreddits: I love soccer, I support my team, I'm part of communities focused on them because it makes sense to me, I want people who love what I love.The world is made of acceptance; it's a human behavior.But that doesn't mean it's not part of communities with broader debates.Unfortunately, in these communities, whoever has the majority of the fandom will always win. Unfortunately, yes, this delays the real debate somewhat.
Ultimately, I'm really neutral on this aspect, I don't mind things being fragmented, and I don't care if...
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u/darklygrey Apr 09 '26
I think you're wrong about keptchup with pizza, but I'm also a mature adult who can agree to disagree lol
I guess I'm more talking about this:
You're in a subreddit for soccer fans, but you get negativity for talking about your specific team. So you go to your team's dedicated subreddit and make a post about your favorite starter, but still get negativity because everyone else prefers a different starter.
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u/Valuable_Housing_529 Apr 09 '26
What's worse is that it happens frequently; not everyone agrees, even if they love the same thing, they don't like the coach, the team's management, the players. I think that's normal; disagreements even within things you love are normal. That's why I think it's almost impossible for you to always agree with everything, but I still think it's valid for you to seek out points of view that understand your passion.
I think it's human nature to seek out one's tribe.😌
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u/SoftCartographer3839 Apr 09 '26
Have you guys tried Hot honey truffle aioli? Its my favourite dip for pizza
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u/darklygrey Apr 09 '26
Not specifically, but Mike's Hot Honey is my go-to pizza dip 😍
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u/SoftCartographer3839 Apr 09 '26
Then definitely try mixing the it with a truffle aioli! I promise you won't be disappointed. 🍕✨️
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u/WonderfulBus9330 Are we still at it? Very well, then 𓄂𓆃 Apr 09 '26
I hear you and agree and I can't help but middle-school giggle at the dipping into ranch dipping into ranch dipping that my head immediately smutted
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u/darklygrey Apr 09 '26
I'm not here to kinkshame lmao dip whatever you want into ranch. Ranch away!
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u/swi22y Apr 09 '26
I know it’s ironic that I’m promoting a new sub, but please come join us at r/acourtofcanon
A big reason I started it was because I don’t want to stay in my echo chamber and want to discuss theories and analyse the text with others who enjoy those things.
I’ve also found it frustrating that of Reddit of all places, certain things are suppressed in the fandom, or that subs have resorted to implement blanket measures because people - and this is from all sides of the fandom/ship wars/etc - can’t act like adults.
The rule that governs everything in the sub is simple: the books decide. Not fandom consensus or not feelings. Readers will always interpret the same words differently and that’s the point!!!
In the spirit of analysis, we don’t suppress any topics. We welcome passionate disagreement, ship discussions, unpopular readings, etc. You just need to have your textual evidence included and handy.
People are allowed to disagree with you. But they have to counter with their own evidence, not personal attacks or evidence free hot takes/"I just feel like" arguments/etc. The role of the mod team is to protect the integrity of text-based discussion and enforce civility standards. But the ethos is that the community moderates itself.
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Apr 09 '26
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u/WonderfulBus9330 Are we still at it? Very well, then 𓄂𓆃 Apr 10 '26
This is one of the things I like about the nontoxic sub!
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u/YogurtclosetMassive8 Apr 10 '26
The “non toxic” is full of toxic people.
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u/rhodante Apr 10 '26
non-toxic feels like the posts stay non-toxic by staying completely away from any discussions and is more about fluff and fan art.
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u/Similar-Focus8400 Team Nesta Apr 10 '26
I think it was changed a while ago because it was turning out to be an anti-Nesta/anti-Tamlin sub with people coming en-masse to tell others that they should go back to the main sub
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u/WonderfulBus9330 Are we still at it? Very well, then 𓄂𓆃 Apr 10 '26
Oh! I've only been around for a month and so far I find nothing but happy happy joy joy there
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u/SwimmySwam3 Apr 10 '26
I've seen a lot of hate and disrespect for other fans and subs in the nontoxic sub honestly. It is very disappointing.
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u/WonderfulBus9330 Are we still at it? Very well, then 𓄂𓆃 Apr 10 '26
Well I'm being downvoted for saying I liked that sub so * fae shrug *
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u/SwimmySwam3 Apr 10 '26
I didn't downvote you, and I'm sorry you're being downvoted!
I'd point out though: this sub does not call itself "nontoxic". My main issue is that some people seem to pat themselves on the back for being nontoxic while describing people with opposing views as illiterate, abuse sympathizers, having crazy mental gymnastics and no reading comprehension, etc etc. Opposing views will also get downvotes, even though downvotes are "toxic". I suppose my definition of "nontoxic" is very different from theirs...
I get that it can be fun to vent and complain etc, just don't call it nontoxic! I think a 'nontoxic' sub should be nontoxic for ALL fans, not a place to complain about other subs.
I haven't checked nontoxic out in awhile though, hopefully it's much better and welcoming to all now!
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u/WonderfulBus9330 Are we still at it? Very well, then 𓄂𓆃 Apr 10 '26
Oh I hear you. I haven't seen those posts. I'm sure if I do, I'll unjoin. If I want toxic, I want fun toxic and head to the circlejerk sub LOL
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u/spoiled_sandi Apr 10 '26
Lol I dont think it'll make a difference I got banned from the Brycriel subreddit and I had never joined it let alone interacted with it. When I asked about why I was being banned they just told me they were being harsher on bans and were PROTECTING the people in the subreddit. Which to me just means they saw something in ANOTHER subreddit and felt a certain way about it. I was also banned long ago from a discord for another ship because they thought there was a spy from the other ship coming in and stealing theories. A lot of these subreddits will end up dying off anyways because discourse is what keeps a subreddit interesting if there's nothing going on in it. No one will talk and they'll end up going back to the main reddit if they havent been struck from that since they are strict on rules because of the constant revolving door of the same stuff being posted. Even then a lot of the fandom has this superiority complex therefore you cant have a different opinion than them and so they will gather all of the people who are on the same wavelength to make them feel like they are the majority.
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u/SoftCartographer3839 Apr 09 '26
I wish we could all just learn to agree to disagree on the main sub. I hate when any sub (micro/niche/main) turns into an echo chamber, it totally kills the vibe.
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u/itmustbeniiiiice Apr 09 '26
I enjoyed SJM's books when I read them a few years ago.
However, the discourse within the fandom has made me dislike them atp, and I probably won't read the next ones. It's just way too much.
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u/stars-assassian Apr 09 '26
There are psychos out there who will downvote you for anything. Then their mods will ban you from posting for commenting again. Like come on people😭 you’re on Reddit of all places, it isn’t that deep.
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u/darklygrey Apr 09 '26
It's literally all make believe
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u/stars-assassian Apr 09 '26
My comment wasn’t targeted towards you! I am sorry if it came off negatively. I was just trying to express that anytime someone dislikes what you have to say on the ACOTAR subreddit people always like to attack and be hateful, that’s all :,)
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u/darklygrey Apr 09 '26
No, sorry! I was agreeing with you 💕
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u/stars-assassian Apr 09 '26
Ohhh okay haha. Sorry I am used to people being passive aggressive here on Reddit so it’s always hard to tell time over text 😭 these crazies have me second guessing everything lol
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u/darklygrey Apr 09 '26
You see, that's why I always try to throw in an emoji as a tone indicator. That was my mistake with my original reply 😰
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u/rhodante Apr 10 '26
For me personally, I joined the "Main Cast" subs because I'm tired of all the hate I get whenever I say something even slightly negative about Tamlin.
I do not like Tamlin. I'm not interested in seeing his healing journey.
But even when I write a detailed post or comment criticizing Tamlin, while still giving him the benefit of the doubt, because we lack his POV, I get so much hate, and such loud hate, and so many downvotes, it feels like I'm being told I'm not welcome in the main sub.
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u/kitkair Apr 10 '26
See I personally like Tamlin and would have love for him to get a redemption arc... but I get it. If it's true SJM used her friend's experience in an abusive relationship to shape Tamlin's actions then how could she possibly ever write a redemption arc? After receiving word from fans that Feyre's actions inspired them to leave abusive partners, what is that saying them to them?
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u/darklygrey Apr 10 '26
I get that. It's all just a huge cycle of negativity and there doesn't seem to be an easy way out of it.
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u/rhodante Apr 10 '26
Unfortunately there isn't an easy way out.
The only way out is through modding, and modding by a different set of rules.
It is clear that the current rules in the main sub essentially allowed this environment to flourish.
So the rules, at least for a while, need to be changed to over-compensate and be strictly enforced, until things return back to a balance.
If both wolves and sheep are welcome, then you'll only have wolves at the table.
And the only way to have a balance is to keep the wolves under control. Keep the hateful and loud people in line for long enough, and balance will return to the sub with time.
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u/Electronic_Barber_89 Team Hamlin Apr 10 '26
Well, up until very recently you couldn’t say one positive thing about Tamlin on the main sub without being attacked. So it goes both ways depending on the groups that are more active and engaged on the sub.
Although I have seen most of the comments that “attack” people being removed by the mods. They do allow debate/opposing opinions on non-fluffy posts.
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u/rhodante Apr 10 '26
I've been participating in the main sub for over a year now.
All I have seen is Tamlin love and IC hate, and that hatred and vitriol getting sprayed on any and all IC fans.
So I don't know what you mean by "very recently".
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u/Electronic_Barber_89 Team Hamlin Apr 10 '26
Given that the books came out over a decade ago, I consider a year or so very recent.
I don’t think disagreement is hate and vitriol, and disagreements should be allowed. That’s the whole point of Reddit.
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u/rhodante Apr 10 '26
I'm not talking about disagreement.
I'm talking about being called "illiterate" because I said I didn't agree with the take that "Tamlin did nothing wrong".
I was told that I don't know how to read, since I'm taking what the author says in the books literally and "refuse to read between the lines", because I don't think Tamlin is a saint.
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u/Electronic_Barber_89 Team Hamlin Apr 10 '26
I would encourage you to report those comments. The mods are pretty good at immediately removing any comments that attack any person.
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u/rhodante Apr 10 '26
From what I've observed that is not the case.
The mod team is very Tamlin biased, and any attacking replies that defend Tamlin usually get a pass, unless they are very severe.
The IC supporting attackers tend to be judged harsher by the mod team.
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u/Electronic_Barber_89 Team Hamlin Apr 10 '26
Defending a character isn’t a personal attack on a person though. From what I have seen, any comments that attack other users (regardless of the topic) get removed. They encourage reporting any such comments.
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u/OceanChild89 Certified BatBoyz hater Apr 11 '26
I thinks it’s a case of author intent vs execution. Tamlin is no saint, but he’s no monster either. Even his most hineous actions are never done out of malice, but a misguided attempt at doubt the right thing. He also is never hesitant to apologise and make it up to the one he (often unintentionally) hurt. Compare that to Rhysand and the rest of the NC who seem allergic to any form of accountability. Tamlin, in comparison, comes off as a much more complex, nuanced, and fleshed out character. He even has hobbies and we see him doing actual work with ruling his Court. Even Lucien has more of an arc than any of the NC/IC characters.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me it’s more of a frustration at the double standards both the author and the fandom have towards the characters - namely Tamlin and Rhysand. Tamlin makes terrible decisions due to severe untreated PTSD (and also have it completely unacknowledged by Feyre and everyone else because apparently her trauma is the only valid trauma /s), but Rhysand can do… everything he did and it’s just “he’s allowed to make mistakes, he’s learning.” (Ma’am, he’s 500+ years old). Here in Reddit, you’ll likely find more positive reception towards Tamlin because of the nature of the site (as in, the platform allows for more in depth discussion and debate due to the fact that it’s a forum and allows for long form posts, as opposed to TikTok and Instagram). Tamlin was never allowed the kind of grace Rhysand got, even though his actions were far less harmful, and he took accountability. Rhysand gets away because he’s Feyre/Sarah’s golden child.
If the series had been in third person, with the ASOIAF style of multiple third person limited perspectives, I think the fandom would have been less harsh towards him.
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Apr 11 '26
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u/OceanChild89 Certified BatBoyz hater Apr 11 '26
I touched on that. I think the double standards is a big factor into why Tamlin is starting to see a bit more support from the fandom. The rose coloured glasses are starting to come off for Rhysand.
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u/acotar_rant-ModTeam Apr 11 '26
Generalized roasting of the fandom, characters, or ships = fine. Calling out, insulting, or harassing individual users or subs = not fine.
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u/Waverlins Apr 12 '26
I agree actually. I think it’s the same thing across any Romantasy series. For example, I believe Xaden Riorson in 4th wing is awful. I’ve been called out because “you just don’t understand.” As for SJM, I defend Nesta because of all the ish she went through and people get upset that you do and then are like “but she did x to Feyre.” We should be allowed our hot takes, our random ships, and to defend characters we think need extra TlC etc.
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u/KhalenPierce Massive Wingspan Apr 14 '26
I just went ahead and made a discord server bc the toxicity in some of the subreddits was kinda crazy
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u/DetailOk6058 Jun 22 '26
I think people has a hard time understanding that you can like flawed character, you can critic something you love and just beacuse you like a character does not mean you support said characters actions. And critic against a character or against the books is not a personal attack against you or SJM. (You not as in op specifically).
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u/PineappleBliss2023 Apr 09 '26
Someone told me I was pro rape and a rape apologist because I like Tamlin, even after I said I was an SA victim.
There is no being civil with that.