After reading Felix's recent petition, I came up with a counter-proposal that I think might be worth considering.
My idea is that Anime Suki would create a "Fans Retreat" subforum right below where "General Anime" currently is. On this "Fans Retreat" subforum, fans could create anime series threads expressly for dedicated fans of that anime show.
So the idea here is that while the proper series threads/subforums already in the "Current Series" and "Older Series" sections would certainly remain there for all anime fans (including everybody from the biggest fan to the harshest critic), the "Fans Retreat" subforum would be there purely for dedicated fans of various anime shows.
What I mean by "dedicated fans" of the show are people who love the show, or like it a lot. The "Fans Retreat" section would exist purely for people to express their shared love and appreciation for particular anime shows amongst themselves.
Every now and then you'll get an anime show like Gundam Age, Gundam Seed Destiny, or Guilty Crown where the show comes under heavy criticism, which of course can make discussions less pleasant for people who would prefer to discuss the show just with other people who like it. Now I strongly believe that everybody here should be welcomed to voice their opinions, both positive and negative, on each and every anime show on its proper series thread or series subforum. However, I do empathize with those who wish they could have a "Fans Retreat" place on AS in order to discuss the show just amongst other fans, because I've been there myself with Guilty Crown.
I think that having a "Fans Retreat" subforum, for this express purpose, would be very beneficial here. AS members could start threads on any anime show that they wish on this hypothetical "Fans Retreat" subforum, and it would be understood that this would be for fans of the show.
Now, I also see some benefits here for critics, and as an anime critic myself at times, I admittedly would like to take advantage of such benefits.
If fans of a show knew that they had an "exit strategy" of sorts whenever one of their more well-liked anime shows comes under a lot of attack, I think they'd be more accepting of criticism on proper series threads and series forums. Eventually, I think you'd see a common understanding that proper series threads/subforums are for dynamic, free-wheeling discussion on anime shows open to all opinions, while the "Fans Retreat" section is for dedicated fans who would like to spend some time talking about an anime show amongst other people who love the show.
Another added benefit here is that the "Fans Retreat" subforum could also be a neat place for facilitating discussion on older anime shows. You could have a thread for Ranma ½ on it. Or NGE. Or Sailor Moon. Or Cowboy Bebop. Or my own personal favorite of 90s anime, El Hazard.
So this "Fans Retreat" subforum could double as a nice place for older anime fans to discuss anime shows from past decades. This in turn could even attract more members to Anime Suki.
Anyway, this is an idea that I'm just throwing out there for public discussion. I'm certainly open to refining the idea as desired.
What do people think of this idea?
My idea is that Anime Suki would create a "Fans Retreat" subforum right below where "General Anime" currently is. On this "Fans Retreat" subforum, fans could create anime series threads expressly for dedicated fans of that anime show.
So the idea here is that while the proper series threads/subforums already in the "Current Series" and "Older Series" sections would certainly remain there for all anime fans (including everybody from the biggest fan to the harshest critic), the "Fans Retreat" subforum would be there purely for dedicated fans of various anime shows.
What I mean by "dedicated fans" of the show are people who love the show, or like it a lot. The "Fans Retreat" section would exist purely for people to express their shared love and appreciation for particular anime shows amongst themselves.
Every now and then you'll get an anime show like Gundam Age, Gundam Seed Destiny, or Guilty Crown where the show comes under heavy criticism, which of course can make discussions less pleasant for people who would prefer to discuss the show just with other people who like it. Now I strongly believe that everybody here should be welcomed to voice their opinions, both positive and negative, on each and every anime show on its proper series thread or series subforum. However, I do empathize with those who wish they could have a "Fans Retreat" place on AS in order to discuss the show just amongst other fans, because I've been there myself with Guilty Crown.
I think that having a "Fans Retreat" subforum, for this express purpose, would be very beneficial here. AS members could start threads on any anime show that they wish on this hypothetical "Fans Retreat" subforum, and it would be understood that this would be for fans of the show.
Now, I also see some benefits here for critics, and as an anime critic myself at times, I admittedly would like to take advantage of such benefits.
If fans of a show knew that they had an "exit strategy" of sorts whenever one of their more well-liked anime shows comes under a lot of attack, I think they'd be more accepting of criticism on proper series threads and series forums. Eventually, I think you'd see a common understanding that proper series threads/subforums are for dynamic, free-wheeling discussion on anime shows open to all opinions, while the "Fans Retreat" section is for dedicated fans who would like to spend some time talking about an anime show amongst other people who love the show.
Another added benefit here is that the "Fans Retreat" subforum could also be a neat place for facilitating discussion on older anime shows. You could have a thread for Ranma ½ on it. Or NGE. Or Sailor Moon. Or Cowboy Bebop. Or my own personal favorite of 90s anime, El Hazard.
So this "Fans Retreat" subforum could double as a nice place for older anime fans to discuss anime shows from past decades. This in turn could even attract more members to Anime Suki.
Anyway, this is an idea that I'm just throwing out there for public discussion. I'm certainly open to refining the idea as desired.
What do people think of this idea?