User blog comment:The Oblivious Prattler/I'll Never Understand This.../@comment-28310326-20160428102819/@comment-26569404-20160504072245

Obviously, I need to respond to this because there are a lot of assumptions and misunderstandings. I feel like I was led into a trap. This is the last time I'll try to explain myself to someone I've never met in person.

'''1. So that personally has everything to do with you and nothing to do with the fandom. You like the underdog idea. So basically anything overvalued and/or overrated= annyoance and repulsion (my observation) ok cool got it. you hate hype got it? Is that a good reason to hate or like something? in my opinion No. Does it make sense? No. But thats me'''

I guess what I said was misinterpreted as, "I only like things that are undervalued, and I hate everything that's popular." That's not what I meant. Do I get annoyed when I think something's overrated? Yes, but that's because people tend to exaggerate its merits. It's not just good. It's "great" or "the best." And of course, everyone talks about it because it's popular. I quickly get tired of hearing about it.

Fewer people talk about the undervalued things, even though sometimes they're just as good. I'm drawn to them for some reason. I don't know why, but it's part of who I am. Maybe it's because of my childhood. I wasn't one of the popular kids in school, so I always felt undervalued myself.

As for this "annoyance and repulsion" thing, I write my opinions strongly and don't hold back my feelings. I'd like to think most people are like that. After all, this response is full of annoyance, too.

'''2. So how exactly do you know what Rainbow intended for his character? Do you work for Rainbow? Are you part of the creative team? I ask this cause you sound very sure of yourself. Have you met with Mr Straffi personally, that you could have come to such a conclusion? How do you know what Mr Straffi's true intentions are?'''

You're right. I don't work for Rainbow, and I've never met Mr. Straffi. But the reason I feel sure about their intentions for Nex's character is because I've read something about him that most fans haven't read (and don't even know exists). I'll get to that later.

'''3. I guess what im trying to figure out is...you state to hate hype, right? Now my question is...is there an actual valid reason that you like nex besides trying to go-against-the-grain. Is that the only reason that you appreciate his character because he is ""the underdog"? Cause if it is the only reason, than you cannot be surprised that some people in the fandom dont feel the same way about him.'''

I guess I shouldn't have used the term "underdog." I only meant it loosely. I don't really see Nex as an underdog. He's just a new character.

To answer your question, yes. I do like him for other reasons. "Going against the grain" is NOT one of my reasons at all. I'm not a maverick.

'''4. Fact of the matter is that the fandom doesnt know much about Nex yet (hopefully this will change in the future) but at the moment there is nothing about him that is appealing to the fandom. So its quite understandable to me why alot of people feel the way they do about him.'''

Of course, that's a generalization. Some fans (not just me) do like Nex, so something about him appeals to us. But if we're talking about most of the fanbase, then yes. Most fans don't like him.

'''5. The other specialists have been there longer, and we have some official information about who they are and their character, except for nex. Nothing nada....The only reference on his character is the show (and a few mentions from the comics) and therefore people take that as who he is.'''

Actually...there is another reference to Nex's character. I'm surprised you don't know about it, since you said you've read some of my posts. I've mentioned it several times.

He has an official character description. It was released in an article that came out a week before season six premiered in Italy. We know the info came from Rainbow because some of it hadn't been revealed yet, including the name of the second transformation (Mythix) and the descriptions of episodes that hadn't aired anywhere in the world yet. All the info ended up being accurate.

The character description details Nex's personality, what he likes about Aisha, and a taste of his relationship with her. This is why I act like I know more about him than most fans do. I do. That's because most people haven't read this (if they even know it exists), so their opinions of him are based only on their reactions to him in the show.

6. Example: Riven....They used his character as a plot device and im my mind he could have been one of the best specialist ever, if Mr Straffi wasnt so preocuupied with building up Sky

This is the kind of hype I don't like. What would being "one of the best Specialists ever" even look like? I agree Riven had potential, but all the guys do. Rainbow could turn any one of them into the "best Specialist/guy," whatever that's supposed to mean.

'''7. And thats cool but i feel that your energy (annoyance, irritaiton whatever) is misguided. Maybe you should set your sights on Rainbow since they are in control of the storyline. Write to them, send them emails if you have to. Protest if you have to...but protest to Rainbow. Esentially being angry at the winx fandom for their views and opinions isnt fair since they are also reacting to the exact same show that your watching. Write a petition to Rainbow if you have to.''' Be angry at Rainbow, sent them emails, go to Italy if you have to, park in his driveway if you have to, call his wife and children if you have to ( im being serious by the way) but do something more proactive, something that could acutally change the outcome of the show...but dont make it seem like WE are the problem.

I don't understand the point of this part. What would I even be protesting or writing emails about? Also, this is telling me not to be angry at other people's opinions...yet this entire response is an angry rant against my opinions. So...is it only bad when I do it?

Also, this is generalizing again. This isn't a "me vs. the fanbase" situation. Believe it or not, I'm not the only one who's annoyed with all the hate towards Nex. I'm just the most vocal about it.

And since I'm supposedly so outnumbered, why does it matter so much what I say? I'm the minority. Why listen to one person against "the entire fanbase?" Because I have a blog? So what?

'''7. Surprise surprise, i consider myself to be alot like Tecna and strangely enough alot of the time, your arguments dont make sense. I love to also analyse things and its still makes no sense to me. Maybe if you tried to actually listen to the reasoning behind why people dont esentially like him (LISTEN being the key word) maybe the fandom will make more "logical sense".'''

This sounds like it was meant to be an insult rather than an honest opinion. Anyway...

My arguments won't make sense to everyone. If someone doesn't understand, they'll often ask me to explain more, and I'll try to. If it still doesn't make sense, there's nothing more I can do. I tried. Maybe I wasn't clear enough, or maybe there's something they know/remember that I don't, which invalidates what I said. All I can do is express myself as best I can.

I've listened to a lot of fans' reasoning about why they don't like Nex, and most of the time, it's the same thing. But like I said, most fans' opinions are based only on gut reactions to him. My gut reaction was like everyone else's: I didn't like him. I called him a jerk and a hothead in my reviews of season six.

But Rainbow's character description explains his behavior.

'''8. And just like Tecna im still trying to get to the real reason why you like Nex. Do you like him because that makes you the outlier in the fandom, the "anomaly" in the fandom. Are you doing so cause you personally connect with this character or love him or are you doing this for attention?( no offense but as an analytical person, i go through all my options). I dont know cause i dont know you as a person. But what i do know is that your reasoning makes no sense. You have so many opinions on who Nex is as a person but when im watching the show i dont see any of these things. What exactly are YOU SEEING that most people( and by most i mean 98% of people) arent seeing? Cause im not seeing it and its not cause were blind, or stupid, nostalgic or are exhibiiting "herd behaviour"... its just not there.'''

First of all, all of those options are wrong. I don't get a thrill out of being "the anomaly," I don't have a personal connection to Nex's character, and I'm not trying to get attention. Second, I don't know where "98%" came from. More fans like him than you think.

Again, my opinion isn't based just on what we're seeing in the show. To use your words, if "people could learn more about him that would be better. That in turn would give people perspective into his character." That's what the character description did for me. Knowing how Rainbow sees him helped me see him differently.

'''9. Now i have NO problem with people having different points of views to my own. In fact the world is a better place because of it. Its how discussions and discoveries are made. Its great!! But the issue is you getting aggressive and irritated and annoyed...(insert other words here) when people exhibit opinions different from yours. Again, something that is very un-Tecna. I believe that all opinions can coexist in the same space. Life isnt about rights and wrongs, its about shades of grey and its the same with our fandom as well.'''

This is a case of my writing style being misinterpreted. I developed my style from journalistic writing. I write strongly and confidently, and I try not to sound wishy-washy. That comes off as aggressive to some people.

Also, difference of opinion doesn't bother me. But if I disagree strongly with an opinion, I'll say so. That doesn't mean those opinions shouldn't be allowed to exist, but I'm not gonna hold back my feelings about them. Again, I'd like to think this is normal. (This response is a good example.)

'''10. Now this is where i get a little annoyed with you. No offense but when you state things like ". I've basically become the Winx blogger who tends to think differently than everyone else" i find that incredibly insulting to the rest of the fandom. I have some fiery opinions but i do NOT think that im the only one in the fandom capable of coming up with reasonable or valid arguments, and please remember going-against-the-grain for just the sake of going-against the-grain makes no sense to me which is exactly what it feels like what your doing. And no offense, but you dont sound like a Tecna...and a conclusion ive come to from reading your numerous posts that youve written. You sound more like a musa or stella... who are more overly emotional personality types...Which isnt a bad thing either'''

I've explained already (and in that quoted part) that I don't "go against the grain" just for the sake of "going against the grain." It's just something I've noticed about myself. For whatever reason, I tend to think differently than other fans. (I think it's because I'm older than most fans.)

Notice I said "differently." I think that was misinterpreted as "better," which is not what I meant. Do I think I'm the only fan who can come up with logical arguments? Of course not, and you know that. That line was just meant as a put down.

I've met lots of intelligent, logically-thinking fans in this fanbase. A few of them comment on my blog regularly. I always look forward to what they have to say because I know they've really thought things through. They also know things I don't, so they can add to or correct what I said.

As for this "Musa" or "Stella" nonsense, I'm gonna ignore that. I think that, again, was based on an assessment of my writing style instead of me as a person. If you knew me personally, that would probably change your opinion. (Also, remember you never know what a person's going through on any given day, and that comes through their writing.)

11. Ive had some thought provoking debates with people from the fandom  and alot of those debates where NOT with you ( im not being mean but its the truth) and to group everyone under the heading of "people who think the same" is in my opinion arrogant and insulting.

People generalize each other all the time. (No offense, but you've done it several times in this response. I still don't know where the number 98% came from.) Obviously, not everyone thinks the same, and I don't know everyone in the fanbase anyway. But when an opinion is common, you're gonna meet more people who hold that opinion than don't. It's simple logic.

'''12. People that have gotten to the core of real issues, people who have asked some burning questions with regard to race, sexuality and LGBT issues within the winx universe... issues that you have surprising kept quiet about...real issues that we should be talking about. There have been other bloggers that have contributed intellectually to this fandom and you're not the ONLY one ( not saying you said you were the only but thats what it comes across as) and i think you give yourself way too much credit in this regard'''

I talk about what I want to talk about. I hate when fans expect certain topics from me, especially (in this case) without me even knowing. It feels very pushy and like they wanna control my blog.

To be honest, I stay away from topics that could get controversial. Those issues are important, but people can rarely talk about them without getting angry with each other. I don't want my blog to become a powder keg. (It has in the past, and it wasn't pretty.)

Also, if you know I didn't say I'm the only intellectual thinker in this fanbase, why did you make that accusation? You keep saying "no offense" and "I know that's not what you meant," yet you know you're saying offensive things and making false accusations. I'm confused. Am I supposed to feel insulted or not?

'''13. Again I feel like your annoyance and irritation is misguided.Layla is my favourite character and i would have liked someone as equally awesome to be with her. Is Nex that person? No ...but at the same time Rainbow has made them a couple and i have to be okay with that.'''

Now, we get to the heart of the matter. I like Nex, and I like him with Aisha/Layla. You love her, but you don't like him, thus you don't like them together. It bothers you that I defend him so strongly because you think there's nothing to defend. He's not "awesome" enough. (If we were talking about Riven or Nabu, maybe this conversation would be different.)

'''14. My point to all this is that at the end of the day, if you like a character ( for whatever reason ) like that character and allow other people the same opportunity. There are characters that i like that people in the fandom hate ( Riven, diaspro etc) but guess what their opinions dont matter to me at the end of the day. I like what i like and no one is going to change that. I state my opinions and if people feel differently. I state my opinion, they state theirs and i move on with my life. But im not going to be annoyed or irritated by it...as a Tecna personality type im just not about that life.'''

Here's the other part of this: I have the right to express my opinions, too. What's the point of having a fandom if no one's allowed to say what they think? If I get annoyed by other opinions, that's my right, too. This fanbase seems allergic to that.

You have that right, too. You were obviously so annoyed with my opinions, you took the time to write this extremely long response. Was it necessary? No, but I can't stop you from doing it.

'''15. That my opinons. Take it or leave it'''

We both know this wasn't an opinion. It was an attack. You lured me with a seemingly simple question, then you insulted me several times, while trying to act like you weren't meaning to insult me. It reminds me of the three-part message I got on Tumblr.

For the record, I have no intention of changing who I am or what I do. If that bothers you, you don't have to read my blog posts. (After all, according to you, none of them make sense anyway.) Not everyone's gonna like me or my blog. That's life.