captainspacecoat wrote:While I didn't think this video was as enjoyable as last years (maybe 2015 was just a better year for memes? or maybe it's because I stopped watching in 2015 so I got to appreciate them all with fresh eyes), I still enjoyed it and found it quite funny. I do admit, I find Dan a bit grating when he's super loud and screechy, but other than I thought it was fine.
What I find really interesting is how seriously some people are taking it. Just scrolling through tumblr people seem really concerned and worried that they've hurt Dan's feelings, and I've seen people trying to start a sort of 'benicetodan2k17' movement. While that's sweet and harmless I feel like it's kind of ... unnecessary?
1. Dan's (or more specifically, DINOF's) sense of humour is to be sarcastic and exaggerated in a way that presents himself as somewhat of an awkward failure, and I feel like that was his intention with most of the jokes in the video. I don't think he was genuinely super hurt by anything, and is very aware that people are just lovingly teasing him.
2. People ARE nice to Dan*. His audience is literally made up of people who are nothing but supportive of him, who watch his videos and buy his merch and go to his stageshows, and who compliment him endlessly whenever he posts a selfie etc. Like other people have said, Dan just chooses to focus on the few people who are maybe a bit negative, and even then the 'negativity' is usually in good humour. I think the BONCAs is a really good example, I never saw anyone say anything bad about the sparkly jacket, moreso people were just pleasantly surprised or shocked that it was so obnoxious. Dan himself called it obnoxious at the time, I'm sure he was well aware of what the reaction would be when he chose it.
I don't know, it just annoys me that people are so quick to feel guilty or like they've done something wrong, when I really don't think they have. None of the things Dan pointed out were genuinely mean, and I don't really think he was truly offended by them. (Disclaimer: I think there is an argument to be made that he was being at least somewhat real about the peace signs, saying he's "socially anxious and mildly agoraphobic" shouldn't be taken lightly and I'm not making light of that).
I guess my overarching point is that the whole 'benicetodan2k17' thing is unnecessary because most people already are nice to him for the most part, and also the phandom will never hold any actual power over him. At the end of the day, he is a wealthy adult man who can do what he wants, and who has a large and loving audience who are incredibly loyal to him, and I really don't think he's that pressed (also sorry for this ridiculously long rant omg)
*Obviously there are people who are genuinely nasty, who spread awful rumours, criticise Dan's weight etc and that's awful and should obviously stop. I'm talking about things like people saying the potato sack sweater is ugly (which imo was actually really cute but whatever) or the Dan walking meme etc
this entire post was amazing and sums up all the confusing thoughts i've had about this video so much better than i could have.
i wanna address every point you made, but that would take forever, and would just end in me agreeing with everything, which would just be redundant. but i'll just say that i was also quite confused going through tumblr tonight as everyone was so apologetic?? and feeling genuinely guilty about this? which rubs me the wrong way.
dan and phil have a fanbase that is
incredibly supportive and appreciative and (for the most part) respectful of their accomplishments/endeavors/wishes/etc. they have probably the most dedicated fans on yt and a lot of them dedicate so much of their time tweeting about them, blogging about them, making videos about them, drawing cute fan art, making edits, etc etc.
all to show their love and support and adoration for two random people on the internet.
so it just makes me feel sad knowing that so many people are feeling guilty for making jokes about a rich guy wearing a high-end designer sweater. or for poking fun at a sparkly suit - which (for completely valid reasons) dan chose to focus on instead of the hundreds of people showing their love and excitement for the cuteness that was the BONCAS. ESPECIALLY bc dan has always said that he understands and appreciates his audience harmlessly making fun of him - that he gets that kind of humor and that it's no big deal.
i don't wanna tell people how to feel, but imo, there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty about any of this. i don't think dan was trying to shame his audience - i think he was being sarcastic and pretending like he was non-appreciative and offended to fit the theme of the video. so it seems like (at least the tumblr) phandom is blowing this out of proportion. these are not reasons to coddle dan.
(the only thing that i think is saddening is the peace sign thing. that really does make me feel bad for dan, and i wish he didn't need to rely on coping mechanisms to get through social events. do i think people should feel guilty for that tho? honestly not really bc again - dan
encouraged this kind of humor on numerous occasions, so it's not now up to the audience to feel guilty for doing exactly what he said was okay.)
disclaimer: i'm not referring to the assholes that have no respect for d&p's privacy and make rude, unnecessary comments about their appearance. i'm talking about supportive fans who are feeling guilty for something out of their realm of control
I hope you feel better soon! And it's okay, I totally get what you mean! I do think Dan genuinely laughs off a lot of stuff, too.
He and onion boy should go in on a vacation home together. All the comments I saw were telling him to delete it though, that or people who were wondering who it was in the first place. I didn't see one thinking it was funny, but I didn't scroll too much. I'm just glad he used that one and not the f-ing lion/Phil one.