Hey, guys? Now that you've got your rant on, let's step back for a wider view.
Why do people read fanfic? They enjoy it, and sometimes they see interesting perspectives. It can be emotionally satisfying.
Why do people write fanfic? All of the above, plus the approval and respect of those who enjoy their writing.
None of these things are bad. People being Wrong about canon in big ways, whether reading or writing, does not make them bad. There is nothing sacred about
original fic, or the original series (for any original series.) Now, having people get into huge argument-fests when they have no idea what they're talking
about, this is annoying. Having people claim that they know exactly what (fil in the blank character) is like when they clearly don't, this is also
annoying. People should not do these things. They will, and nothing we can do will stop them, but they should not. People writing fanfic that happens to be
profoundly incorrect? That just means they are writing fanfic that you personally wouldn't enjoy reading. Me, I have certain moderately hard lines of
spelling and grammar that will ae a story useless to me. More-than-moderate levels of Mary Sue and/or character bashing will also ruin a story for me pretty
quickly. Lack of internal consistency, likewise - but that does not mean that I think people should not write these things. That does not mean that I feel like
people should require my approval to spread joy. If I do not enjoy it, but others do, where is the harm?
Why do people read fanfic? They enjoy it, and sometimes they see interesting perspectives. It can be emotionally satisfying.
Why do people write fanfic? All of the above, plus the approval and respect of those who enjoy their writing.
None of these things are bad. People being Wrong about canon in big ways, whether reading or writing, does not make them bad. There is nothing sacred about
original fic, or the original series (for any original series.) Now, having people get into huge argument-fests when they have no idea what they're talking
about, this is annoying. Having people claim that they know exactly what (fil in the blank character) is like when they clearly don't, this is also
annoying. People should not do these things. They will, and nothing we can do will stop them, but they should not. People writing fanfic that happens to be
profoundly incorrect? That just means they are writing fanfic that you personally wouldn't enjoy reading. Me, I have certain moderately hard lines of
spelling and grammar that will ae a story useless to me. More-than-moderate levels of Mary Sue and/or character bashing will also ruin a story for me pretty
quickly. Lack of internal consistency, likewise - but that does not mean that I think people should not write these things. That does not mean that I feel like
people should require my approval to spread joy. If I do not enjoy it, but others do, where is the harm?