Why doesn't the Downs allow slash? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

E. Fester · 07-20-2004, 11:31 AM

I wasn't complaining about the lack of slash here, I was simply wondering why there was one. What about slash that does not contain explicitly sexual references?

Again, I'm not trying to start a flame war here, I just want to discuss.

Evisse the Blue · 07-20-2004, 01:59 PM

If you're asking for an opinion, well - I think it's because slash is in no way supported by cannon. That means it would be 'out of character'. And most of the good fanfictions I read (though I admit I haven't read too many) are consistent with Tolkien's vision without stretching it too far.

Fordim Hedgethistle · 07-20-2004, 05:00 PM

Erm? Excuse me?

*Fordim raises his hand from his little desk at the back of the room*

What is "slash"?

And while we're at it. . .what is a "swoon room"?

symestreem · 07-20-2004, 07:59 PM

Slash is homosexual romance in stories or movies. A 'swoon room' is a thread or forum for people to go and obsess over a particular actor. I just can't see why we don't have one of those at the Downs.

***The Barrow-Wight*** · 07-21-2004, 05:41 AM

The better question is, why would anyone want to see slash on a Middle-earth site like the Downs? Slash is an intentional, gross misrepresentation of popular literary characters with the main purpose of shocking an unexpecting audience and/or actualizing a personal, prurient fantasy. With the Downs' focus on canon, which was free of both sexuality and sensuality, there is no place for slash.

E. Fester · 07-21-2004, 10:43 AM

Why is homosexuality gross? You could say that Legolas romances are intentional, gross misrepresentations of the character. Say someone wrote a slash piece free of sensuality and sexuality; why would that be banned? Slash does not shock any more than het romances do; most are neither better or worse written than the majority of het romances. I don't enjoy most of the romance stories I have read, but the Downs appear to be discriminating against slash.

**The Saucepan Man** · 07-21-2004, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Why is homosexuality gross?

No one is saying that it is. The point is that stories which involve Tolkien's characters in any overtly sexual situation, whether homosexual or heterosexual, are a gross misrepresentation of them as Tolkien's characters. They therefore have no place on the Downs, which is concerend with the subject-matter, style and essence of Tolkien's works.

Amanaduial the archer · 07-21-2004, 11:09 AM

What you're insinuating, E.Fester, is that the Downs is discriminating against gays? That isn't right - certainly I don't think there have ever actually been any comments about it in either direction. But some people don't feel comfortable with it, still - whether old fashioned or very religious, some people just don't find it an easy subject, and to be popular and fair, a forum has to avoid making any group of people feel uncomfortable.

Slash is usually obscene - you say what about slash that isn't too graphic, but the fact is that most slash is graphic: look up 'sblomie' in google, you'll see what I mean (IMPORTANT: if anyone has no filter on their computer and does not want to see anything disturbing, I highly recommend they do not do this. It's not pretty). This is the main part of why people actually find it enjoyable. That is not allowed on the Downs for the same reason that any too-graphic 'het' relationships, as you put it, are not allowed. Just look in the RPG forum.

Secondly, as has been said, it is out of character - even if it was not graphic. Legolas romances are out of character in just the same way - and so they are not allowed either! That is the point! Anything that severely alters the way a character behaves is not allowed on any Barrowdowns formal RPG (including the three Inns), whether relationships of any sort are included or not. Having Frodo and Sam together is not allowed in the same way that having Arwen and Frodo together is not, or in the same way that killing off Frodo in Cirith Ungol is not allowed, or having Merry suddenly turn into a vampire bat - it is simply not cannon.

The title 'slash' refers to the slash between the two character names - 'Frodo/Sam' (mainly it is male), or even e.g. 'Arwen/Galadriel'. The point is that is uses named characters - and makes them act, therefore, in a way that is out of sync with Tolkien (or whatever the origin of character may be). They are not merely gay relationships, not technically - slash could just as easily refer to 'Arwen/Merry', theoretically - this would be a heterosexual relationship, no? But it is still out of character and therefore not suitable!

So are we 'discriminating' against slash, or any sort of non-cannon behaviour? No, it is merely upholding the world of Tolkien and acting around it rather than smashing straight through it in an unnecessary and out of character fashion.

Luthien_ Tinuviel · 07-21-2004, 10:59 AM

Quote:

A 'swoon room' is a thread or forum for people to go and obsess over a particular actor. I just can't see why we don't have one of those at the Downs.

Actually, we do.

All hail the Aragorn Swoon Thread!

07-20-2004, 01:59 PM	#2
Evisse the Blue Brightness of a Blade Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: wherever I may roam Posts: 2,685	If you're asking for an opinion, well - I think it's because slash is in no way supported by cannon. That means it would be 'out of character'. And most of the good fanfictions I read (though I admit I haven't read too many) are consistent with Tolkien's vision without stretching it too far. __________________ And no one was ill, and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass.

07-21-2004, 05:41 AM	#5
*The Barrow-Wight* Night In Wight Satin Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 4,043	The better question is, why would anyone want to see slash on a Middle-earth site like the Downs? Slash is an intentional, gross misrepresentation of popular literary characters with the main purpose of shocking an unexpecting audience and/or actualizing a personal, prurient fantasy. With the Downs' focus on canon, which was free of both sexuality and sensuality, there is no place for slash. __________________ The Barrow-Wight

07-21-2004, 11:09 AM	#8
Amanaduial the archer Shadow of Starlight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: dancing among the ledgerlines... Posts: 2,347	What you're insinuating, E.Fester, is that the Downs is discriminating against gays? That isn't right - certainly I don't think there have ever actually been any comments about it in either direction. But some people don't feel comfortable with it, still - whether old fashioned or very religious, some people just don't find it an easy subject, and to be popular and fair, a forum has to avoid making any group of people feel uncomfortable. Slash is usually obscene - you say what about slash that isn't too graphic, but the fact is that most slash is graphic: look up 'sblomie' in google, you'll see what I mean (IMPORTANT: if anyone has no filter on their computer and does not want to see anything disturbing, I highly recommend they do not do this. It's not pretty). This is the main part of why people actually find it enjoyable. That is not allowed on the Downs for the same reason that any too-graphic 'het' relationships, as you put it, are not allowed. Just look in the RPG forum. Secondly, as has been said, it is out of character - even if it was not graphic. Legolas romances are out of character in just the same way - and so they are not allowed either! That is the point! Anything that severely alters the way a character behaves is not allowed on any Barrowdowns formal RPG (including the three Inns), whether relationships of any sort are included or not. Having Frodo and Sam together is not allowed in the same way that having Arwen and Frodo together is not, or in the same way that killing off Frodo in Cirith Ungol is not allowed, or having Merry suddenly turn into a vampire bat - it is simply not cannon. The title 'slash' refers to the slash between the two character names - 'Frodo/Sam' (mainly it is male), or even e.g. 'Arwen/Galadriel'. The point is that is uses named characters - and makes them act, therefore, in a way that is out of sync with Tolkien (or whatever the origin of character may be). They are not merely gay relationships, not technically - slash could just as easily refer to 'Arwen/Merry', theoretically - this would be a heterosexual relationship, no? But it is still out of character and therefore not suitable! So are we 'discriminating' against slash, or any sort of non-cannon behaviour? No, it is merely upholding the world of Tolkien and acting around it rather than smashing straight through it in an unnecessary and out of character fashion. __________________ I am what I was, a harmless little devil

07-20-2004, 11:31 AM	#1
E. Fester Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: This prison planet Posts: 10	I wasn't complaining about the lack of slash here, I was simply wondering why there was one. What about slash that does not contain explicitly sexual references? Again, I'm not trying to start a flame war here, I just want to discuss.

07-20-2004, 05:00 PM	#3
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Erm? Excuse me? Fordim raises his hand from his little desk at the back of the room What is "slash"? And while we're at it. . .what is a "swoon room"?

07-20-2004, 07:59 PM	#4
symestreem Face in the Water Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 728	Slash is homosexual romance in stories or movies. A 'swoon room' is a thread or forum for people to go and obsess over a particular actor. I just can't see why we don't have one of those at the Downs.

07-21-2004, 10:43 AM	#6
E. Fester Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: This prison planet Posts: 10	Why is homosexuality gross? You could say that Legolas romances are intentional, gross misrepresentations of the character. Say someone wrote a slash piece free of sensuality and sexuality; why would that be banned? Slash does not shock any more than het romances do; most are neither better or worse written than the majority of het romances. I don't enjoy most of the romance stories I have read, but the Downs appear to be discriminating against slash.