To Be Fair - Why Fans Are Turning on Their Own

[@ericchung3177]

Corporations should be loyal to their customers, not the other way around. You need us, we don’t need you.

[@retroblasting]

Exactly

[@BMichaelGalloway]

That's why we VOTE against them by not purchasing! 😢 I had seen every single Star Wars movie on opening day since I was three years old, and in a small part of my soul it killed me not to go see episode 9, but I knew I would hate it anyway. Voted with my cash... By keeping it.

[@keegobricks9734]

You're wrong though, some people have crafted part of their identity around Star wars. They feel a need to be loyal to it like a drug addict. Hell even "fair" people like ThorSkywalker are still obsessed with Star wars and watch the 3-6 movies annually. How messed up is that?

[@timf7413]

Sure, but the problem is that not all customers (let alone potential customers) want the same thing.

[@keegobricks9734]

@ OH, you mean like geeks&gamers fans?

[@J-T-A]

You may not be able to divorce the art from the artist, but it should be easy to separate the commodity from the salesman.

[@justinthomas7222]

Oooh. That's good.

[@justinthomas7222]

@Jason Anderson: can I quote that?

[@J-T-A]

@@justinthomas7222 Feel free, I most likely am quoting it from someone else that I cannot remember.

[@brackcarmony6385]

Depends on the commodity. If you are following a youtube channel for example, are you interested in the videos they produce, or the person producing and promoting the videos? If someone asks you to 'smash that like button' are you pushing it because you liked the video, or you like the person asking you to do it. Especially since they often come from the same source.

[@justinthomas7222]

I'm always happy to "smash that Like button." Unless I don't like the video. Then I don't. Not sure I've ever given a down-vote to a video.

[@TheGreatSnafoo]

The fans owe the franchises nothing, in fact it's the other way around, if a franchise wishes to stay relevant.

[@trublgrl]

You make a great point. When people dislike an Alien or Predator franchise film, no one accuses them of disloyalty, or says they never understood the vision of the series. On the other hand, when a franchise like Mad Max or Tremors delights it's fans over the course of several years, or decades, no one really calls the fan base sycophantic or tribal. There is something about these few series, Star Wars, Star Trek, BSG, and a few others, that evoke an enormous amount of emotion. That carries responsibility, and when the producers shirk that responsibility, no one else ought to be blamed.

[@ThunderClapClide]

Goddamn right - fans are the ones that pay money for these products, whether it be a movie, game, comic book, whatever it may be. “Fans” who say stuff like “you’re not a real fan of you don’t like this thing you paid money to experience” are some of the most bootlicking, mindless fans I can think of. It discourages criticism and differences of opinion, and that does nothing to serve the fandom - in fact, it stagnates and fractures it.

VERY TRUE ! Which is exactly why star wars is in the proverbial CESSPOOL ! Of course KK doesn`t feel she has to cater to male fans even though they make up the VAST majority of the fandom !

[@crazyrabbits]

@@trublgrl - I'm not sure I would count BSG having the same level of "emotion" from its fanbase on par with ST or SW. It had a few devoted fans of the original series who went militant over the reimagined show (I argued with a few of them myself), but the production of that show -- or lack thereof -- was something of a joke for years, particularly in the context of the infamously-reviled Galactica 1980. That BSG2003 was so good is a testament to the vision Ronald Moore put out, which overcame the shortcomings of the genre (namely, actions had significant consequences) and packed it with a stellar list of character actors, that it rose above the trappings of the genre and became something more akin to space opera than a standard "monster of the week" sci-fi show. The BSG production team didn't go out of its way to shittalk the fanbase -- if anything, they even utilized a handful of ideas (Racetrack's unresolved sexual tension with Helo being one of them) to elevate the material in places. The production teams behind ST and SW have gone out of their way, in various forms, to belittle, mock and otherwise antagonize their fans -- and then they wonder why ratings are still in the toilet and people aren't buying their shit anymore.

[@NaraShikamaru21]

100% agree. It is shocking to me how many people will defend a corporation against their fellow consumer when that consumer provides criticism. Disney doesn't care about you. No corporation does. Stop picking up a sword for them.

[@xblade149]

Exactly, I agree. But fans who threaten actors because they didn't like said character in a movie are pretty stupid.

[@martok2112]

@@xblade149 Totally agree!

[@bagsikdangal]

That is true. Disney recently laid off a lot of their workers, while keeping bonuses(1.5 billion to be exact) for their executives. They did, while acquiring a 5 billion loan from Citibank.

[@bagsikdangal]

@@xblade149 There are also fans who turned on actors, after they heard something about them. Adam Driver(the guy who played Kylo Ren) was recently targetted for joining the military in the past. I don't like Kylo Ren, but I wouldn't attack Adam Driver for playing a badly written character or for what he did patriotic. Robert Downey Jr also got attacked for playing a black guy in Tropic Thunder, recently.

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

Nor should they care about us, on a personal level. They make things, we buy them (if we want) and that is all our roles are.

[@zeronightex]

Building your entire personality around what corporate produced media you consume is just sad to me honestly

[@omiorahman6283]

true

[@afuzzycreature8387]

i mean if they do a good job you reward them... when they do a bad job you don't... you just have to realize that at some level you have to let go when the product goes sour

[@nerdicwarrior]

I agree. It's actually pathetic that we've gone up to that point.

[@popburnsy3207]

I give you two Meowmewobeans

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Kiss and Star Wars fans are the most pathetic. But people will be loyal to a phone.

[@wikkidperson]

Such a good point. The movie experience changing from “Are you, the customer, well pleased with the new product we have just sold you?“ To “Are you a real, true blue fan, or a Judas traitor?“

[@Plokman040]

Island of Sodor Mitton, Allcroft, Awdry! No All Engines Go!

[@jeenkzk5919]

Everything you say is the reason I look at an advertisement that says “we care” and “give me a break” is always at the back of my mind. When I go to a store and am displeased with a policy, I should never, ever get mad at the employee. I blame the brass and whomever abused the policy to begin with. I love everything you put out, Michael. I’m glad you’re not afraid to speak your mind.

[@martok2112]

I also never trust a company that says to a new employee "Welcome to our winning team", or "welcome to our family". In that case, I would sooner trust Don Vito Corleone than any Corporation. Hahaha!

[@knights_of_old]

The “Emotional Intelligence” bit is painfully true and touches on some of the BS creatives go thru when they care about their craft.

[@hobbesthebrainslug12]

"Don't ask questions, just consume product, and then get excited for next product"

[@Plokman040]

Mine is moldy, so I refuse. 😉

[@mike6206]

RAZØRFIST: "Bread and Circuses are fine until the bread is stale and the circuses are nothing but clowns."

[@invisiblehand13]

These kind of Retroblasting videos arent *just* the best content on the channel, they're some of the best videos on all of KZbin. Period.

[@powerfrenzy]

So tiring being dismissed as a hater for not blindly accepting and praising every new thing that churns out. 😒

[@billymac72]

It’s really a form of the ad hominem attack, i.e., it’s not your point or argument that they are addressing, it’s YOU.

[@RightNowMan]

I absolutely agree with your sentiments. Sadly this behaviour is symptomatic of a much larger societal problem, where groups endlessly fight with each other whilst simultaneously defending the corperate overlords and their government cronies who have sown the divisions in the first place.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

This is an underrated comment! ☺ I concur!

[@B3tanTyronne]

The only complaint I have is that I can only like this the once.

[@JasonGodwin69]

You could always share it to make more people like it.

[@B3tanTyronne]

@@JasonGodwin69 funnily enough I have.

[@eskreskao]

Speak for yourself, I have four accounts.

[@1dbanner]

To be fair, this is genius

[@blackRXrider]

It's genius if you're only looking at it from one side. Both sides act childish on the internet. If Hollywood is really destroying what you love, then stop giving them money and find a new hobby. And it is funny how old school star wars fans hate being called manbabies, but support Red letter media who constantly calls star wars fans manbabies.

[@PK-122]

​@@blackRXrider They can call me whatever they want because they don't ask me for any money.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

@@blackRXrider Recently, people have turned on them.

[@Jake-the-author]

@@lancethefilmguy9392 how so?

[@erykrejner2528]

I will never forget the moment when a fellow fan defended Disney for axing the Star Wars expanded universe. - What where they supposed to do? - he argued - Maybe fucking respect the work of (then) 35 years of talented and devoted artist who worked on books, comics and video games that truly fleshed out the universe. Hire some ultra nerds to form a "canon coherency department" that would oversee scripts? It would not cost much, and would provide insane quality.

[@commandercaptain4664]

"What were they supposed to do?" is a defense? Sounds mighty neutral, like an actual question.

[@crazyrabbits]

See, on one hand, I can kind of understand why they axed the EU -- there were so many competing visions across so many creative teams, writers and directors that the whole thing felt like a muddled mess where you had to sift through innumerable stories to figure out which level of canon you should be following, which stories were worth your time (KOTOR is a far more beloved story than a Karen Traviss novel, for instance), and the weird, slavish devotion to trying to figure out how this stuff related to the films (and which should be considered gospel or apocryphal) made it easy to understand why the creative team behind the sequels would try to pare everything down into one easy-to-follow set of stories. Of course, subsequent events (both in SW and the MCU) have made it crystal-clear that they couldn't follow their own advice, getting all sorts of continuity gaffes and disconnects with the mainline works, to say nothing of the polarizing reception of the sequels and other EU works (High Republic being the biggest instigator, among others like the DIsney+ shows). In the time since acquiring SW from Lucasfilm, the only things I've legitimately enjoyed from Disney and have the critical factor to match in SW have been The Force Awakens (due to the "newness"/remake factor), The Mandalorian (different creative team from the sequels) and Rogue One (fraught with problems, but still has a well-put-together third act). Beyond that, I'm happy to toss the rest out with the trash, despite their attempts at creating a new shared continuity.

[@TheNightBadger]

_"I'm a Scorpion. It's what I do."_

[@stevenbrickafol3928]

i shared this on my facebook , withouth restrictions . everyone in the world that likes and cares about movies etc, should watch this video. Simple as that.

[@tonycampbell2020]

Sir, every time I watch one your videos, I get a little bit smarter. Job well done as usual. For the record, your “Canon is overrated” is a CLASSIC.

[@cecillawrenson7327]

"Brand Loyalty is the biggest oxymoron since Military Intelligence"- Subbed at that. You rock.

[@TheRealOzMuerte]

Once upon a time, I had someone online that I thought was a good friend, that turned on me over my wanting to buy a third party Transformer. His argument was that the third party company stole the IP (intellectual property) of something Hasbro owns, and created products based on it, and is profiting off it, and that if I were to purchase those products I'd be "receiving stolen property", which is a crime... ? I told him that I was sick of seeing "BayFormers" toys, and animated stuff, and wanted high quality renditions of the iconic versions of these characters/toys--in other words 'Marvel Legends' but for Transformers. And I stated that if Hasbro won't give me what I want, and these third party overseas guys will, then I'm just going to go in that direction. He countered with saying that I was acting "entitled", which is childish (???) Then he argument continued and he kept doubling down on the "theft" angle in regards to the IP, even going so far as to *invoking The Bible*, namely the Ten Commandments in regards to the "theft"... ???? I said it's Hasbros fault for allowing the third party stuff to go on for YEARS without sending a "cease&desist" to someone. Again he doubled down with a sermon about burning in hell. Long story short, we stopped being friends. It's crazy to think, but yeah, he was literally holding Hasbro on equal footing with GOD. ...Let that shit sink in.

[@nerdsnest7548]

“The guy that continually borrows money and never has to lend it” ie..how many corporate bailouts to corporations registered over sea to pay little to no taxes can you tolerate?

[@RED_Theory038]

individual welfare handouts are not okay but somehow corporate welfare handouts are. I don't know why it's so acceptable in the states.

[@toweypat]

So true!

[@Lobsterwithinternet]

@@RED_Theory038Because the former are the most responsible for who wins an election, not the latter.

[@PlacidDirge]

This is why their is an difference between the fans and fanatics. This is why "fan boy" and "fan girl" are derogatory terms.

[@HeadCanonUnlimited]

"Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will bring others and show them how well you do what you do."- Walt Disney I think they may have strayed from this vision.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

If he was alive today, he would be disappointed

[@Underworlddream]

People are literally turning into legit corporate Cultists. Some of these people need to focus on there priority like there career, family, or maybe find a actual religion.

[@davidfaust90125]

The absolute last thing these people need is to find religion. They're screwy enough without adding that to the mix and there are already more than enough religious fanatics in the world.

[@paulw5039]

@@davidfaust90125 I'd argue that a significant proportion of the population inherently have 'religious minds'. In the absense of a formal religion these people will naturally gravitate to something analogous, such as fanatical adherence to the state (communism, fascism). I honestly think that many people treat woke culture like a religion (see: Twitter). Progressive viewpoints have now taken on a holy, puritannical tone. Dare to question or rationally analyse them and you risk being cancelled or banned (excommunication). Words and terms that were previously perhaps considered distasteful or uncool have been elevated to almost blasphemy. The utterance of them is unthinkable and grounds for the aformentioned excommunication. There is competition among them to demonstrate how pure and virtuous they are, often by means of tearing down others who they actively paint as less virtuous (the new gossiping church ladies). Hell, they even have their high priests - blue checkmarks and influencers.

[@davidfaust90125]

@@paulw5039 Well I suppose that cancelling is like any other tool, useful at times but harmful if misused. People often say something similar about guns, but guns are more final. Still, I think the comparison holds. I'm not exactly sure what you mean though by "Progressive viewpoints have now taken on a holy, puritanical tone." What I mean is, which viewpoints? This is getting very far afield of the original topic of people defending the IP of a corporation, though that in itself seems to go against most progressive ideals.

[@MoreEvilThanYahweh]

This is why despite being atheist, I have not attempted to "preach" since my teens. There's almost always going to be a significant chunk of humanity with a religious temperament and the things they choose to fill in the absence of invisible sky overlords can sometimes be worse, morally bankrupt in comparison (since instead of a moral framework they become fanatics of a product or brand) or affect me more personally compared to regular religious people.

[@brendancoulter5761]

@@davidfaust90125 Every body worships something. It may have fallen out of fashion to worship deities but all that means is people worship other things.

[@edrosa3485]

I had a somewhat similar epiphany; was watching a video where one person declared "your not a true fan if..." and my inner brain replied: "so what?". Being considered a "true fan" neither adds nor it takes away from my life.

[@retroblasting]

My response to that accusation was, "I can live with that."

[@mountainpeakcloud8442]

This is the perfect metaphor for politics too. So tribal without looking at the policies people stand for and the corporations they’re in the pockets of. Supporters just blindly follow the “brand” Of the party irrespective of the person that’s running. That’s what got us into the catastrophe that is today.

[@HeyJulioCoolio]

This is everything I've been feeling about fandoms in a nutshell. Thank you for finally putting it in words.

[@Thunderbird66623]

I agree Michael that’s why I’ve made the decision to divorce myself from “geek culture” of today. That includes collecting, I’m good with what I have but people always have to make stuff that’s supposed to be fun extremely toxic. I just don’t have time for it anymore. You are one of only 4 or 5 collecting channels I didn’t unsubscribe from based solely on that fact that you have integrity.

[@CoryTheRaven]

"Geek culture" is a marketing category... It's a "culture" built around buying things. Whenever I see footage or photos from a comic convention, it always looks like "They Live" to me.

[@Thunderbird66623]

CoryTheRaven yep exactly. That’s why I’ve opted out. I reused to be used and expect to buy a half assed product.

[@invisiblehand13]

About 6 months ago I unsubb'd from all my collecting channels too. However, I kept Retroblasting. I unsubb'd from those channels for two reasons: 1. I've lost pretty much all enthusiasm for Star Wars and 2. Most of the other collecting channels are churning out so much fast, cheap, formula content that their (new) videos are starting to feel repetetive, boring, and even kind of exhausting. I only kept Retroblasting. I'm still subb'd to this channel because I spent a long, LONG time collecting Star Wars stuff. For me, it was about something bigger than just the figures. There was a kind of inspiration. Somehow, Michael manages to absolutely nail that "bigger something" in pretty much all of his videos. Honestly, I'd sooner part with my Master Replicas Force-FX lightsaber than miss out on this channel. I don't know if I'm ever going to start collecting again, but I'm glad this channel is here to remind me *why* I *did* collect. Plus, there's other cool/intelligent/interesting stuff on here, like today's video. Anyway, that's my two cents.

[@filmandpage1138]

I'm curious as to what channels you've stuck with?

[@Thunderbird66623]

Film and Page Formerly Panels & Borders this one. Analog Toy, Toy Poly, and Toy Galaxy. The rest got the boot because they were total corporate shills(Cough) Pixel Dan, Shartimus Prime.

[@andrewreynolds1864]

I like the saying a true patriot questions his government. The same goes with my fandom. I don't just buy into it. I have standards. I need good characters. I need a good story that makes sense.

[@EPS5000]

In the 1997 Special Editions, a scream sound effect was added when Luke Skywalker chooses to let go of the platform in The Empire Strikes Back and possibly fall to his death. People hated it, and George removed that sound effect in the 2004 DVD. People say all his changes were his "true vision" but if that was true, he wouldn't have changed it back in 2004. I find it annoying when people try to defend anything he does as "It was always his vision" when the truth is he makes it up as he goes along. Just like most people, when new opportunities come out way, we decide on the spot what to do; it wasn't planned out 40 years in advance.

[@nickmanzo8459]

EPS5000 worst of all, that scream was Emperor Palpatine’s scream. God, that’s just creepy.

[@robinthrush9672]

Even worse is when you go back to interviews and he's criticizing Turner for just adding color to black and white movies because it undermines artistic integrity and what the film makers could do with their level of technology.

[@johnedelmann6711]

Just like JK Rowling, who "always had the vision." Please.

[@Lobsterwithinternet]

@@alexsclewisBefore. It was during Empire and the divorce where he turned to evil.

[@defenstrator4660]

The consumers aren't voiceless. They have the most important thing. The money. This is why free markets are so important. Monopolies, private or socialist, deny the opportunity of choice, and thus prevent anyone from offering a better deal.

[@ccateni28]

SammyClassicSonicFan: "When will you learn... THAT YOUR ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!" A quote I live by forever.

[@kingp05]

When you said "You should never under any circumstance defend a company that doesn't pay you a salary & doesn't know your name" I had to give that a standing ovation, 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@OldBoley]

YES! Great piece. So tired of being dubbed a "toxic fan" for not liking everything a company produces not only by other fans but by employees of the corporations. No accountability. Everything is our fault. So frustrating. You just cannot have a civil conversation anymore.

[@Deadduck2pt0]

Dear god, thank you for the Stalag 17 footage. What a fantastic movie.

[@ranwolf76]

this is true

[@nickmanzo8459]

Deadduck2pt0 that is one of my all time favorite movies. My brother and I will sometimes bust out with “Czechoslavakai... und Poland... kaput!!!!” Out of nowhere.

[@marcothommen2484]

STALAG 13, would match too

[@Paul_the_Bruh]

A worthy companion piece to "Cannon is Overrated". A+

[@ExUSSailor]

I love when I tell people that I like BOTH Star Wars, AND, Star Trek, both for very different reasons, and, everyone looks at me like I've sprouted a second head.

[@slycooze150]

You hit the nail on the head! You knocked it out of the park! Spot on! The real toxic fans are the ones who demand loyalty to a company/brand. I don’t understand why they hate the so called “haters” because, well, they are hypocritical because they HATE the rest of us, making them haters themselves. Lol. Thank you for fighting the good fight Michael/Retroblasting.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

What's hilarious is when they say things like... "We are all about Tolerance." But seconds later... "If you don't like what X brand is doing, then you are a racist, sexist, bigoted piece of crap of a human being!" Smh

[@pawarl.o.s.881]

I've been called a hater, but I'd rather be a hater who looks for quality than a suck up who doesn't have a unique opinion

[@Forest_Giant]

I will never understand having undying loyalty to a huge corporation. Those companies, and those who work there, do not care about you in the slightest bit. There was at least one company who said "We really do care" and they did. That was Kenner. If you had an issue with a figure and contacted them, they would send you a replacement. Once Hasbro bought Kenner that respect for the customers went straight out the window.

[@retroblasting]

Agreed

[@AtomicRobot-dm5np]

One of the most annoying things about all this is that there was potentially almost zero risk for these companies making sequels - the idea was a winner and carefully handled could continue to be a winner. Carefully handled. It was never carefully handled, they don’t know how to do that.

[@crazyrabbits]

The "auteur license", as it pertains to sequels, largely went out the door decades ago. When something succeeds (in the case of Top Gun: Maverick, which just came out as of the posting of this comment), it's usually due to direct oversight and/or creative control by an individual (or a couple of individuals) that had a strong vision for the property and knew how to martial that project to completion without interference. In the case of Maverick, Tom Cruise's fingerprints are literally all over the entire thing, starting from the pre-roll message where he thanks the audience for coming out to the cinemas and hints at the delays that kept it from releasing theatrically (he didn't want it premiering on streaming). Even GB Afterlife had to go through a lot of shit just to get to release, including a production company that was set up to handle expanded universe offerings (Ghost Corps) without delivering a solid, even great, title in the first place. GB2016 was a disaster that nearly put the kibosh on the whole thing due to shortsighted executive attitudes at Sony.

[@timothyjohnholmes3738]

Hear, hear, well spoken. From the point of view of the good of society (beyond fandom) - this is deeply troubling.

[@rizzottohambone1592]

Birth of corporate nation states. With trends of advertising that promote conflict with in existing consumer groups. Console wars for example.

[@glorfification]

Hear, hear! No one should give unconditional loyalty to corporations, or to politicians. The moment you do, they stop trying to earn your support, and take you for granted. They should be working every day to earn your support, otherwise they don't deserve it.

[@ilbftman]

People forget "To each his own", "Live and Let Live" It's an indication of a person's maturity.

[@GundamWarrior1]

"Why don't you start a KZbin/video/podcast channel?" Yesterday I reminded myself why I have been hesitant to do so. I made a comment on a Hasbro page simply stating a request/demand for "Expanded Universe/True Canon please". Then the Disney shills/bullies came out not to debate/defend their trilogy but to spread lies (the norm of the EU was never canon and such which is debunked on the back of most EU novels). After they get caught with facts they then result into bulling and belittling me rather then discussion. It's not being called a troll, nazi, Incel, alt right, weeb and the like that personally offend me. Its the factor the nerd community is no longer what it once was: a place for us to come together despite our differences. Between factors of corporate shills, show runners/directors that don't care about mythology, politics, and the deceiving legacy media have become the new bullies that don't want to take responsibility for their own actions. They don't want to accept that they failed on their own merits, didn't listen to fans and chase money away that they could have.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

Very sorry you had to experience such intolerance. I am not a Star Wars fan(never had been, never will be) but I understand what you are talking about. I want to start a KZbin channel myself, but I weary on KZbin and their so called "Community Guidelines" rules that hinder me from starting a channel. From Fair Use claims to Woke Politics, all it does is shun people from the beginning.

[@kevinrigdon3727]

Thank you Michael for cutting to the heart of a matter that is one part of a systemic poisoning of our society in general. People just can't seem to disagree and let it go at that, it comes down to trying to beat down and prove wrong the person who disagreed with you and obliterate them at all costs.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

What makes people so easily offended nowadays? Is it the way our world has become?

[@Derpy1969]

In general, all internet debate turns into name calling and insults and anger. Everyone is so angry today. Chill out.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

Exactly

[@E.A.M.]

THIS is why I subscribed! You have a way of verbalizing my thoughts and feelings about these topics in a crystal clear articulate logical manner.

[@idiotproofdalek]

They have one job, to make entertainment that pleases us. If they can’t do that, they deserve no excuses.

[@RaddSpencer]

You say this is some new thing but I'm old enough to remember the console wars in the early 90's. This mentality was always there. The internet just gave it a megaphone.

[@MichaelJShaffer]

Opus! Incredible peice. So honest and sadly, so true.

[@genesanford9412]

his head just swelled up a bit more,and you got a head-pat. i hope your both happy

[@samuelelder9434]

Gene Sanford 😂

[@silviatrophin9955]

@@genesanford9412 This is a very well made video and its all true. What exactly is your problem?

[@blankpage9277]

A lot of these people calling fans toxic are not fans at all but are paid shills.

[@kasaibouF29]

Nintendo is a prime example of "brand loyalty"

[@ra803g6]

Explaining to a communist how voluntary transactions (capitalism) protects every one is impossible. All business is essential because consent, and freedom are essential.

[@randallpetroelje3913]

I appreciate the fans commentary. It’s always been like that. That is how New story lines are created. You can’t disrespect your source material. Basic , basic success material. I still respect him. You begin to expand on the basic source material and create-- not destroy it. Enough said.👍

[@t00lnin]

Michael, this is so thought provoking and well done. This is why I've been a Retroblasting fan for years.

[@konsyjes]

Creativity is gone and everyone is looking to blame someone else. The more uninventive and dull we feel, the more we try to hide it, from ourselves and others, with things like rhetoric, moral rectitude, knowledge, experience, authority, past achievement, charity, congeniality - everything that doesn't require imagination.

[@frankdavf4599]

Again, nice video, right on the money! Michael. As a side comment, I could never had reach that kind of loyalty to any company and that is because I always had analitic critic eye for the things that take my money and time away.

[@stanbartsch1984]

The problem as I see it is that companies buy an IP - an "Intellectual Property" - i.e. naming rights - and expect the NAME to be the thing that sells whatever polished turd they stamp the name on. As if owning the IP entitles them to the money the IP has always generated. And when the shininess wears thin, and fans realize they are being asked to pony up for a turd with no recourse, they are attacked by the company for not paying for something that is no longer what they loved.

[@jartladder15]

Another great video...you're digging deep on these.

[@baron7755]

RetroBlasting can do or say no wrong! I am 100% loyal to this brand!

[@scottmatthews5892]

Michael is such a gifted writer

[@JustJohnForNow]

Thanks for using those clips from Stalag 17. I wonder how many people in your audience have seen that movie. Perhaps more than I would guess, but I'm afraid that most of the people either complaining about or defending the various corporate franchises at the heart of today's cultural debate simply don't watch many older movies or independent movies or foreign movies or much of anything outside these genre based properties. If they did, they might have a wider appreciation of movies in general and the complainers would find better things to be concerned with and the defenders would realize they haven't been protecting art. That being said, I hate Disney Star Wars!

[@Peter_Morris]

There is always religion. If you throw out organized religion, you replace it with something else, whether you realize it or not. It’s just part of human nature to desire to be a part of and worship something larger than the self.

[@CoryTheRaven]

I was just about to make this comment, but extended to culture as well. When we're told our culture, religion, etc. is problematic and you're a bad person for liking it, corporate pop-culture fills the gap.

[@xblade149]

Pretty much. Pop Culture or political

[@AM-os4ty]

It appears the reason for the First Commandment is not that God is some egotistical maniac. It's because we will worship something and He is the only place that is remotely sane and safe.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

@@AM-os4ty Amen

[@BrickTsar]

Applies to LEGO as well. This is a very well spoken perspective

[@Elementa2006]

Also it wasn't "fair" comparing cooperations to a wild animal like bears.. For one thing bears can actually feel emotions. 😜

[@skwills1629]

Corporations are People too...

[@johnarnold7984]

@@skwills1629 Evil soul less people.

[@ShamanMcLamie]

@@skwills1629 Well a corporation isn't just a bunch of desks and buildings. People run these things. There is a human being making these decisions.

[@skwills1629]

@@ShamanMcLamie - I never said otherwise. Though there is a difference between a Man making Art because he wants to express himself, and a Group of People making Artistic Decisions in a Committee because they want to sell something. Corp[orations aren't the same as actual Personal Involvement. In fact, its very Impersonal.

[@ShamanMcLamie]

@@skwills1629 Fair enough point and I agree with that sentiment. Just people harp on this statement and then claim a corporation has no rights when corporations have rights because they're people, more specifically groups of people.

[@georgelea4297]

Thanks for this awesome video Michael it's honest and so true how fandom has changed over the years

[@Klakkr]

Your recent videos have been nothing short of brilliant and superbly crafted.

[@TheRealOzMuerte]

Also!... A "brand loyalist", is no different than a bandwagon sports fan. They're only going to be loyal to the brand so long as they're winning. The moment that brand goes into a slump, suddenly the "loyalists" stop being so loyal. Remember back in the day, when everyone and their mother was a Bulls fan? Or same with The Cowboys?... Where'd all those people go? 😂 I saw this happen with Ghostbusters first hand. People piled onto the "loyalty" train with the franchise only due to their political leanings. Soon as the movie flopped and was deemed a failure, the attitude changed to "I was never really into Ghostbusters to begin with" 🤦‍♂️ Yet whats funny is, when I call people out on this stuff out, I've been labeled an "elitist"... ??? Huh?

[@crazyrabbits]

PROTIP: If the project in question is polarizing (politically or otherwise), the largest voices defending it are also, conversely, often the ones who won't support it financially. It comes down to activism (tribalism, really) more than actual demonstrable support that proves the longevity. Star Trek didn't need activists fighting with people to convince others that TOS was good in the years of TV repeats leading up to the revival/TMP -- their actions (watching those episodes) proved the validity of the concept. Doctor Who didn't need a rabid group of vocal supporters arguing over the racial/sexual identity of the Doctor (and refusing to pay for product) in the years between the 1996 movie and the 2005 revival -- they supported the Big Finish audiobooks and repeats. I was one of the people who initially championed an all-female Ghostbusters (particularly because I wanted someone akin to Janine or Kylie from Extreme Ghostbusters there) -- but I wanted Emma Stone, Aisha Tyler and some actual funny comedians (who could believably do improv) in the film. When I saw the cast lineup and how tone-deaf the initial trailers were, it was easy to figure out that the product was going to be a hot mess. Sony cultivated that mess with an astroturfed social campaign that seemed to throw the reception back in the audience's face and treat them as a hostile force, which is never a good idea for marketing/PR purposes.

[@pensacolian211]

I still know a Cowboys fan. They're still around, same with Bulls fans, just fewer in numbers. I agree with the point though.

[@fleabatt]

This goes beyond the subject of fandom and brand loyalty. This is also a great commentary on what we have enabled the corporate system to do to us in all aspects of life. Faction wars between groups of fans is just a slice of what we also see in the workplace, where loyalty, teamwork and pride has been replaced with a**kissery and backstabbery. We are being made to behave like apocalypse survivors fighting over scraps. And our benevolent overlords now expect our undying appreciation as well as our cash. Hopefully, the veil is being lifted for some as we see the true priorities being addressed during this pandemic. Great video guys.

[@marklechman2225]

If only there was some sort of basic law of supply and demand with which consumers could significantly influence the decisions of corporations.

[@matthewnaughton8944]

I long for the days of watching a movie, having a spirited debate over it, have a couple cuts of coffee and calling it a night. It’s the reason I stopped playing poker with my friends, the ten dollar game turned into, and I mean this literally, I’m going to own your wallet. When I stopped playing, I was accused of being a baby, or had to hear that’s how you really play the game. It wasn’t fun anymore, so I’m not going to waste my time.

[@Megatron_95]

Exactly. My friend and I still have movie discussions where we shoot the shit

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

Sorry about that my friend.

[@patrickhouse6077]

And this is why I do not follow trends and I enjoy what entertaining to what I enjoy but I always am blown away in all things by your insight Michael bravo sir

[@astrofist]

I saw a facebook group turn on an elderly man because he stated that because he was disappointed in a brand name film, he was worried that the next brand name film would be bad as well. That's all. No bashing. No hateful comments. But WHAM, they attacked like a swarm of bees. They didn't attack his comment...they attacked him personally. They defended a film, that still hasn't been made, by personally attacking an elderly gentleman. Thanks for this video. It helps clarify what those defenders of the brand were really all about.

[@timf7413]

While I certainly think there's merit to what you are saying here, I think the door swings both ways. As someone who generally likes (or at least doesn't actively dislike) newer entries into many legacy franchises, I've often been on the receiving end of attitudes like these from fans who don't (often couched as loyalty to "fandom" as opposed to a corporation). The real problem IMHO is that many people no longer seem capable of accepting that not everyone is going to share their opinion of a given work, whatever that opinion may be. I wish we could just go back to the days when I was a kid where we tended to just say "I liked/didn't like that new movie" and leave it at that.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

You and me both pal

[@andrewgrant2990]

Thank you very much for making this excellent video sir! I agree with you on so many points. You are a voice of reason amidst the fan community. I suffered from brand loyalty for so many years having put up with sub par content. I cut myself off from Star Wars (of which I have loved for over 40 years) and will not support them again. I have my 'old school' stuff & can enjoy that. I also recently finally got fed up with Marvel over how they treat their fans aka consumers & dropped all subscriptions (some going back since the 1990s). I choose to support the people like you on KZbin & smaller companies that actually seem to care about people. I too was a tool for corporations & could go on about how they goof people over & when that was done they would turn on me. Thank you again for your insights & advice! Remember everybody "Illegitimum non carborundum!"

[@justinthomas7222]

"Mr. Gilmore, it is your turn; Mr. Madison, please choose the topic." "I choose BUSiness ETHICS!" [Ominous Music Plays]

[@robinthrush9672]

I criticize franchises I like because I don't want newcomers ruining what makes them great. Even franchises I don't like, but appreciate for what they stand for.

[@KibaRanger_Kou]

I don't consider it "Boycotting" when these corporations have made it loud and clear that they don't want my business anyway. "I'd be happier with the dollar"- Mr Burns.

[@zachlennon2948]

Many people may not want to hear this but they SHOULD.

[@TheLavadiver]

In regards to this company/customer dynamic, the only loyalty I have is to my own personal satisfaction. Pop-culture, movies, games, toys, etc are there to entertain ME. It is not my job to prop them up blindly. And if some SIMP is mad I don't tip his corporate waifu, he can get rekt.

[@ciaranmcnulty8675]

Thank you once again, Michael. You articulately give voice to a lot of things that aren't heard enough.

[@white8crow]

Ok, I just subscribed to your channel due to the impeccable logic that n this commentary and one last week. Thank you! Sincerely, thank you for ring a free thinker and not a sheeple!

[@fortcastellan1730]

Wow. I don't think I've ever been so deep into a fandom that I wasn't willing to walk away from it when it started to suck. I mean, I'd still call myself 'an X-Men fan,' even though I don't want to read anything written after Grant Morrison got ahold of it. Its kinda hard to understand that mindset....

[@jovenc4508]

When the "remake" of Resident Evil 2 was announced I voiced my trepidation about it. I was literally called "not a true fan" by someone because I didn't praise everything about it. I absolutely love the original game and the franchise as a whole and want to see it prosper, but I'm not gonna accept everything that comes down the pipe just because I'm a fan.

[@Staradder70]

This hit the nail right on the head.

[@dimeone1]

Yes... this is excellnt, and very true. Every day we buy into products and think that the companies and corporations care about us... a very frank and honest aproach here. Thank you😉👍

[@marcsandroni4898]

Preach it, brother! Unfortunately those who feel the same as you and me already know this stuff, and those who don't won't listen to a word. Awesome video, nonetheless! You're channel is one of the best on KZbin and a real class act to boot.

[@tawdryhepburn4686]

Didn’t care for your video essay on Iger... but this one is much better. You’re totally right about the odious nature of _brand loyalty_ and the one way street that it represents. Good shit.

[@CoffeePhilosophy]

What a great post, so much to think about.

[@RodimusPrimal]

So much yes in this video. I may be a Transformers fan, but I don't have to be loyal to brand or corporations just because Bayformers carries the brand label. Certainly hate being called a toxic fan, or a Geewunner for sure.

[@retroblasting]

Thanks, Rodimus!

[@theladyfingers___]

Good video! I enjoy your videos, but have often felt I was being overindulgent of "kidult" stuff where I find the people interested to be a little overenthusiastic. This really massively increased my appreciation of your work, and I'm glad to see such a rational mission statement about our stupid hobbies.

[@HontounoShiramizu]

The main question is: how many of those "defenders" are paid by the company to act as defenders. The internet is fully anonymous and false flags have happened more than enough times, both as distraction and to sow mistrust. Edit: I still believe in being the change I want to be, so I still operate under fairness, but I'm not going to defend any company for their logo alone.

[@Geek_Chorus]

Loving these new vids, very keen insights

[@justinthomas7222]

I am loving all the Futurama references. I loved that cartoon from day one, and always knew there was some other level that I would come to appreciate it. 20+ years later & I am not disappointed. Guess it didn't take as long as we thought to hit the year 3000.

[@Grindhead_Jim]

I have never understood why people recklessly and forcefully pursue others' adoption of their opinions, and, in the same breath, vehemently deny facts. This fairly-recent (i.e., since the internet) "I'm right; you're wrong," mentality, taken to this extreme, transcends annoyance, and careens right into what I regard as a dangerous cultural shift. There are certainly plenty of pop culture outlets that I am irrationally attached to, but, at no point, EVER, have they been immune to rational discussion about their faults. I try to imagine these current inane conversations/arguments taking place on the playground when I was a young boy in the early 80's. Kids didn't defend the toy manufacturers or film production/distribution companies; the passion was for the * characters *. It was never about "fair". There is no such thing as "can do no wrong". There is no such thing as "for the fans". There is certainly a lot of corporations that have gotten lucky with a string of decisions that please consumers. There is certainly fan service in the interest of making sure fans still patronize a product. As always, spot on, RetroBlasting.

[@seanlavoie2]

The most eye opening party is the loyalty to a logo line. It's sort of like sports fans who stay loyal to a team even when there bad. In sports that might be okay (maybe) because the outcome is still up for grabs even if a team is miss managed. With movies the outcome is all controlled in advance.

[@zionthedragon8866]

The same people who say "to be fair" fight for companies who lies about caring about customers, (*cough* Activision *cough*), also use strawman & ad hominem reasoning to force others to like new things made without full true love (*cough* Spyro REMAKE *cough*), and gatekeep against others of said product. Hate the un-needed delayed released time? "Get it over it". Hate remixed music? "You just have bad tastes and haven't heard real music" Hate some redesigns of characters and their personalities, and some of the inappropriate fetishes added to the game, a game, mind you, MADE FOR AND BASED ON NOSTALGIA? "(ad hominem attack (and/or) strawman attack on you or the old game it's based on), and your just nostalgia blind. It's perfect in every way, now shush. 🤚" I swear, they protect the companies and it's sick.