The Poster Boy for *what* now?

[krossero]

Okay, I just read another story that has Jim as the poster boy for 'gay America'.  What has me cracking up is that just an hour ago, I read one that calls him the poster boy for straight America.

So, question #1:  Which do you think is more accurate to call Jim a poster boy of, gay, or straight America?

Question #2:  Does it bug you when a theme or a phrase like this is re-used in fanfiction?  Personally, I love to see everybody's take on different things.

Question #3: What other repeated things like this have you noticed (I can think of a few), and do they annoy you, or do you like it?

Comments

I understand both 'obfuscation' and

[alyburns.livejournal.com]

'Blessed Protector' - mostly because obfuscation became a signature of Blair's character (but always for good reasons) and caused many a discussion about what was true and false about him based on things he divulged. BUT I get why the word itself tended to be annoying eventually - especially when there are other synonyms. BUT - it was a word used that defined him, so reading immediately brought back the voices and the scene, thus allowing the reader to 'see it again' but under new circumstances.

Blessed Protector has a very special connotation and one rarely if ever used in other shows, so this was embraced wholeheartedly. Once you've said it - well, Jim was stuck with it. And his actions only cemented his intentions. :) But again, we could have come up alternate ways of saying it without using those words. In the defense of authors, though, it again immediately brings forth that warm memory.

Final comment: We don't know if he has a middle name or not, so when one author came up with Jacob - it was never taken as canon, but rather an embraced fanon. Other authors loved that name, thought it fit, and adopted it. I admit to loving it and using it in some stories. He LOOKS like a "Blair Jacob Sandburg" to me. :)

Again, what we have to remember that in the moment of the show, this didn't stand out - it's only later, with new folks coming in and having tons of fiction to get through, that seeing these repeated items read closely together - does it really bug. :)

Re: I understand both 'obfuscation' and

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

Well, the post asked what bugged people and that's what bugs me :-) If people want to use them in their fics, I'd never tell them not to in feedback; their choice and 90% of readers wouldn't notice or care -- or might like seeing them; mileage varies -- but if I was betaing a fic I'd probably point out that the first two are over-used and 'Jacob' is fanon, and let the author make up her own mind.

Re: I understand both 'obfuscation' and

[krossero.livejournal.com]

What about the idea of the gang at MC betting on when Jim and Blair get together? I've seen that in a bunch of fics. Anyone know where it got started, and what do you think about its repeated use? For me, I don't mind seeing it again if it's written well. I love the idea that they'd be so accepting of the boys' relationship. :)

Re: I understand both 'obfuscation' and

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

I've seen it a lot but I don't know how it started; I've only been in the fandom 2 and a half years; still a newbie :-)

Re: I understand both 'obfuscation' and

[krossero.livejournal.com]

Ha! You're still a newbie--I've only been here for a few months! 0_0

Re: I understand both 'obfuscation' and

[alyburns.livejournal.com]

Sorry, again, we seem to have crossed wires *g* - I was just explaining to a newbie some of the history. I'm not saying yay or nay to any of it (except my own like of Jacob *g*) - I'm just giving history. :)

Re: I understand both 'obfuscation' and

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

No, it's okay ::hugs:: Just didn't want to come across as bossy and wanted to stress it's my personal bugginess :-))