Friday, June 4, 2010
On Respectful Robstening
I’m not going to talk about shipping, because the very definition of the word implies a fairly high degree of wishful thinking. Anyone who has done the research can deduce we’re beyond hopeful fantasies at this point. Perhaps a better title would’ve been ‘Respectful appreciation and admiration of two talented young actors and their romance’. To riff off of good old Plato, this is Kerensky’s apology of his own behavior and of the company he keeps.
What prompted this post was a snarky and nonconstructive comment posted on my previous blog installment. I quote:
‘This is what kristen is complaining about. Her life is not for your entertainment. Find hobbies and stop whith this shit. You(re the one who spend times going on on how privete this two are but then you violated their intimaty all the time. It’s ironic.’
The message would’ve been more poignant without the blatant spelling mistakes, but I do concede there is a point somewhere in there. There are distasteful qualities to the way some self-professed fans approach their obsession.
I’m acutely aware of how difficult their lives are being made by paparazzi and overzealous fans, for whom they are indeed a source of both income and entertainment. In a perfect world they could walk down Santa Monica Boulevard hand-in-hand, or drive down the coast without having to worry about someone chasing them or Tweeting their location 20 seconds after a positive ID. But I do take exception when the benign and respectful discussions of Rob, Kristen and their relationship at RLC are lumped together with the above bullshit.
Looking at Kristen’s interviews, she has nothing but respect for the massive fan following. If anything, she’s a little dumbstruck by how much her fans appreciate her talent, ascribing it to the Twilight effect. In my opinion, what she is criticizing is the objectification of her life, the vicious attacks on her outlook, acting talent and personality. I welcome the anonymous commenter to actually read the threads in the forum, in which she will find that such elements are extremely discouraged through peer review and moderator intervention. While there is not a ban on candid pics, you’ll find that any details about their private outings will only be allowed after the fact.
Rob and Kris are in the entertainment business, and unfortunately there are some realities to it that they cannot escape, even if they wanted to. Set photo ops, promotion and interviews are part and parcel of that world. New photos, behind the scenes vids and promo pics are quickly circulated through social media and also discussed and examined here at RLC, sometimes to a ridiculous degree. Is that a violation of their privacy or intimacy? I think not. As long as you stay within a reasonable scope of common sense when talking about their answers to personal questions in interviews. I find nothing bad in that. Case in point is the iPod-Gate of the recent Elle UK interview. It’s human nature to be curious about such issues. But when you cross the line into fantasy-land and start predicting their wedding date or making picture manipulations of their future offspring, it gets very uncomfortable, very fast. Another good example is sexually explicit Robsten fanfic. It doesn’t take a genius to deduce that two healthy and attractive young people are quite likely humping like bunnies. But it’s another thing to verbally masturbate about it and then tack on a disclaimer noting ‘it’s not really them, just inspired by their relationship’. Sure, whatever.
It’s ironic that someone would object to the responsible way how people talk about these two actors and their romantic life on RobstenLove.com or here on the blog. In my experience, 95% of the members can make the distinction between reality and fantasy and share a common understanding of what topics are permissible and within the boundaries of good taste. The strict rules and impartiality with regard to faction-oriented-thinking provide a sandbox for both fans of Rob and Kristen to play together. If such a place didn’t exist, most of the over 3000 registered users would undoubtedly disperse to various other forums or LiveJournal communities where it’s ok to bash Rob and fangirl Kristen, or vice versa. For me, RLC is indeed about the love, the antithesis of hatred, jealousy and resentment. You take the good with the bad and love these kids for their good qualities, and accept and understand those that may not strike your fancy.
That's My Girl !!!
Great post…very well put, Kerensky.
Kudos for standing your ground and stating your point in such a respectful way. Some people just dont understand that extremist values dont get you anywhere. It isnt all or nothing. Rob and Kristen are just fine with promos, shoots, etc, it is the papz climbing over walls to take pics of them, invading their private moments, etc that pisses them off like it would any human being. There is a separation between work and life for them just like everyone else and once they leave a set or finish an interview they are off the clock. That is when it becomes invasive. Awesome post and I was just trying to explain that to another poster on a different site.
another great post Kerensky!
i think it's ironic that what we do at the forum is marked as entertainment and in a negative way. then probably all the millions of fansites and forums and blogs that fans have created to SUPPORT their favorite actors/musicians/bands should be banned then.
-annie156
A brilliant post~
Mon
Great post! Thanks for articulating it so well.
Awesome post Kerensky!! Very well spoken…
What I appreciate most about RLC is the amount of respect they carry for both Rob and Kristen. Other sites i have been to in the past that are moderated poorly, or not at all..are a cesspool for hatred and thrive on R&K;'s lack of privacy. I have been a memeber of RLC since early Dec. I can say that I have always seen people discuss R&K; respectfully, and if not it was promptly delt with by the Admin and Mods. RLC is nothing but supportive to Rob & Kristen, and their relationship. Their location is never disclosed until after the fact, and very intrusive pap pics are not allowed to be posted. I appreciate that, and all the hard work that the admin/mods do to ensure that the integrity and goal of the site is not tarnished.
This is my favorite post of yours yet, K.
Perfect!
Well said, well said. We're nothing but supporters.
I think I am in love with this site. You guys have been on a roll with your blog posts. Well written and well said
Thank you!!! Did someone actually directly insult this site?? Well..that's what I call ignorance. They don't know crap. I know this blog only welcomes sane, loving, supportive attitudes. I haven't seen one blogpost comment on here that's crazy. All we do here is respect Robsten and cherish them because we feel that they are wonderful people and despite how many challenges they're under, we want them to get through it. We don't want them hurt, and we certainly don't want them being thought of in a crazy way. And you guys here steer clear of jealousy and resentement which is GREAT. A huge part of the reason why I come here. Every morning. I love getting a daily Robsten insight even if it isn't news. This is not a place of fakeness and fantasy. It's reality. And I can totally relate to that. You guys set everything the way it is and you're extremely intelligent. Even my own mother (I'm older now but she still visits me) was shocked at how how this blog is set up and how much it follows respect and the right ideas. Thank you Keresnky, extremely well said. I think Robert and Kristen would really appreciate this.
Can I be a fan of Kerensky now?! haha
Another great post!!!
Fantastic job
Thanks for understanding us so well <3
Great post. My love for RLC, honestly has little to do w/ R/K's personal life. I love it b/c of the respect shown for both R/K. As you said most other sites I have checked out, either are poorly moderated or worse allow the back and forth b/t R & K fans. I like them both and I don't want to chose.
i completely agree with you here if they're not at a priemere/photo shoot /or public appearence then they are off the clock and the time is thier own to enjoy thier fame , and this goes for every celeb not just robsten .I love seeing the 2 of them together, as long as they are happy together that is all that matters!