Why Creators should ignore "The Fans"

The common paraphrase from the legendary playwright (and frankly well known asshole) Bernard Shaw, "Those that can do, those that can't teach," demonstrates clearly that just because someone in brilliant in one field doesn't mean they are worth listening too when they talk about something else. Shaw is the prime example of a "genius" who was an absolute moron outside of his own field (theatre in his case) on a regular basis.

That being said, some of his thoughts on what we might call "the peanut gallery" today ring very true, especially in the age of social media.

Whether working on a new ttrpg like myself, trying to produce a new piece of film, writing the next novel in your series or looking at finishing your next big print, the "peanut galley" is everywhere in this day and age and somehow even less useful than they where in the past.

We all want feedback from true fans. We all seek some immediate validation that our work is being enjoyed. But todays feedback is riddled with "comments" from sad losers who need to troll shit they don't even like to fill their own soulless life that you would not have had to deal with previously. Ignore those fools completely. If they are actually serious about providing feedback, they'll present it in a constructive way.

Also, even well meaning fan feedback must be measured carefully. If you have a clear overall vision of your creation and things are pacing, don't jump to make any major adjustments based on a few load noises by the most vocal. That is basically how you end up with a hot mess like the Rise of Skywalker.

I'm not saying you should ignore all feedback received, especially if your creation is struggling to find the audience you wanted it to find, just that the loudest voices in fandom don't actually represent your actual audience either. Also, although ol' Bernard was dead wrong about teachers (and sooooo many other things), he was pretty spot on about the peanut gallery. They will always beg for more of the same, but the true creative process gives them something they where not aware they wanted.

So in a sense, "Those that can will create, those that can't will bitch & whine like a 3 year old in comments on X and YouTube :-)."

Stay Frosty my Friends.

Rob F.