Guess which of the two literary genres is more overrated...
🧬 Context
The super-persistent consequences of giving excessive importance on romantic dynamics over platonic ones, are compounded when one projects all romantic desire, in a selfish (and ultimately toxic) manner, onto fictional characters. This transforms what should be a harmless pastime into something akin to a combative crusade (the unfortunate turn that "shipping" has taken is proof of this). It ought to remain what it has always been and what it should continue to be, within proper moral boundaries:A form of escapism, a game played among peers, and a bit of child-like play, the kind where you might even hold little figurines in hands.
So what does Fantasy have to do with it?
Along with Sci-Fi, this genre has suffered the most from the encroachment of a pervasive and rose-tinted blobuence (the romance), ultimately giving rise to the hodgepodge genre known as "romantasy," a development driven entirely by an ill-balanced catering to audiences with an incurable penchant for sentimentality.Romance and the male audience
A few days ago, I read a news item stating that this genre was becoming so popular among men that it was almost reaching a balance with the level of interest among women.Am I surprised by this? Yes & No! Most males don't declare it so openly (especially heterosexuals) - due to the numerous prejudices and stereotypes that still circulate today - but they exist, and there are far more than the surface suggests.
Only need to spend some time in the right circles to realize it.
Opinion on Shipping
Essentially - to use a toy-based analogy - it involves taking two (or more) figurines and having them interact - in a romantic sense - as orchestrated by one (or more) fans of the series to which those figurines belong.As a rule, I’m not against it: I’ve even taken part in such pastimes myself, though certainly not to an obsessive degree; rather, in very moderate doses, since I’m not particularly crazy about that sort of thing.
However, it becomes a problem when the romantic relationship between fictional characters is forced and taken to extremes - to the point of psychosis and egocentrism.
It has even reached the point of projecting sentimental narratives onto characters for whom such things were never once a consideration - and, to make matters worse, it has escalated to explicit death threats against the creators of these series, simply because they dared not cater to the whims of such fanatics.
Not to sound like a cynic or a pessimist, but this is also why real problems go unsolved: too much attention is focused on imaginary ones - which, by their very nature, are subject to constant change.
In conclusion
I've nothing else to add... other than to suggest (re)learning how to respect the boundaries between reality and fiction, and directing the mental efforts toward some lighter activity. See-ya next time!❤️ And to conclude... + 🗣️ Comment Section
Written, edited and featuring a pixel-art cover maked almost from scratch from and up to 4·Nov·2026. The idea originated on 2·Nov·2026, after watching an online video that discussed the subject.Telegram: Ita. · Eng.
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