One thing I‘ve been seeing a lot on social media lately (especially TikTok) is people posting lists of authors they find problematic and their rationale. For some reason these lists bother me and I can’t entirely pinpoint why. Even if I agree with certain points about certain authors, the entire notion of posting lists like this feels kind of gross to me. I’m sure I will end up on someone’s problematic list for feeling like this.
I understand the importance of being educated about how we spend our money and who we choose to support, and there are authors I wouldn’t support. But these lists seem a lot like throwing rocks at anyone who has an opinion you don’t like and not creating actual conversation.
I’m curious about anyone else’s thoughts on this.
by Lost-Copy867
12 Comments
It comes off as the opposite of separating artist from art. It’s designating certain authors as problematic, sometimes based off very superficial reasons. I get it, but we can just add it to the list of things on BookTok that are like this
No, and some opinions are not worthy of discussion at all
I tend to not really pay attention to anything on TikTok. Everyone is going to be offended by something, chances are. So you’re better off looking into an author yourself if you’re worried about it, or if their books don’t sound like your cup of tea just avoid them.
I agree with you. I am on board with someone posting info about an author they find problematic, but they better come with receipts because I’m not just taking their word for it. The lists just feel juvenile to me though.
How can we judge individual lists without seeing them? Because no, I’m not uncomfortable with the *idea* of making lists like this. If people want to compile a list of popular authors who, say, are obsessed with trans people and arguing against their rights, they are perfectly within their rights to do so, and I don’t see what is so terrible about that.
If there are authors put on a list for one ignorant comment made 15 years ago, then that might be a different situation.
But you have provided no examples here. So how can anyone really agree or disagree with you? Unless you’re just looking for people to say that no lists like this should be made? You even say you understand people wanting to know before spending their money. How don’t responsibly done posts/videos help accomplish that goal?
I wouldn’t say they make me uncomfortable – I just view them as something that is not worth engaging. So many artists, musicians, creators, etc. exhibit what can be considered “problematic” behavior or beliefs at times it would be hard to find people who haven’t done something “problematic” at some point – unless someone’s behavior is really abhorrent I don’t really pay much attention to personal criticisms of authors to be honest.
What is considered problematic changes over time and people have differing views on what is offensive. Also, I don’t really feel like the things that you say people are posting on social media are constructive and they mainly seem to be a way to get attention.
I guess it depends on why they’re considered problematic. The woman who wrote “Mists of Avalon” was a child-abuser married to a known pedophilic child-abuser, so I think it’s fair that she not ever get any of my money. But I’d wager that most “problematic” authors aren’t that level of evil.
> I’ve been seeing a lot on social media lately (especially TikTok)
That’s probably the issue right there. Just stay off TikTok and read what you want to read.
There’s always going to be people clutching pearls.
If I got rid of every book, album, movie, etc. because someone involved was “problematic,” my shelves would be pretty damn naked.
People who spend a lot of time calling other people “problematic” are usually self-righteous and annoying.
There’s nothing wrong with knowing more about an author. Whether or not you decide to let that impact your decision to read that author’s work is your call.
In extreme examples like Orson Scott Card being a raging (and possibly very repressed) homophobe or the Mists of Avalon author sexually abusing children, I think it’s great for people to know and make an informed decision on supporting that author.