George R. R. Martin Condemns Online ‘Anti-Fan’ Backlash: ‘Toxicity Is Growing’

Samantha Bergeson
·2 min read
1

George R. R. Martin has no time for toxic fandoms.

The “Game of Thrones” franchise creator published a blog post titled “Dark Days” that included a banner reading “current mood: depressed.” Martin reflected on the past year as he ushered in 2024.

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“This year, though, as I reflected on the year we had just lived through, I found I had no appetite for living through any of that again,” Martin said. “2023 was a nightmare of a year, for the world and the nation and for me and mine, both professionally and personally. I am very glad that it is over. Unfortunately, so far 2024 looks to be even worse.”

He continued, “Well, I take solace where I can. In chocolate thrones, if nowhere else. In books. In films and television shows…though even there, toxicity is growing. It used to be fun talking about our favorite books and films, and having spirited debates with fans who saw things different…but somehow in this age of social media, it is no longer enough to say ‘I did not like book X or film Y, and here’s why.’ Now social media is ruled by anti-fans who would rather talk about the stuff they hate than the stuff they love, and delight in dancing on the graves of anyone whose film has flopped.”

Martin previously spoke out to The New York Times about the fan backlash to the “Game of Thrones” TV series finale.

“People say, ‘I’m done with “Game of Thrones,” they burned me, I’m not even going to watch this new show — I’m not going to watch any of the new shows,'” Martin said, citing the premiere of prequel series “House of the Dragon.”

“I mean, are we talking about a million people? Or are we talking about 1,000?” Martin continued. “People who have nothing to do except tweet all day over and over again? I don’t know.”

Author Martin is developing a slew of TV projects, including Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” the long-awaited “A Song of Ice and Fire” installment “The Winds of Winter,” and other in-development successor shows taking place in the “Game of Thrones” universe. “Nine Voyages” will be an animated series, and the creator will be involved in the Jon Snow “Game of Thrones” spinoff series “Snow” plus an adaptation of “Dunk and Egg” called “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,” and the Nymeria-set “10,000 Ships.”

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