Fan Mob Rule

My unsent response to a email I received yesterday regarding my Joker post:

Why does an interpretation of an imaginary character mean that much to you that you need to write an email like this? I really do want to understand what people like you get out of it. You are basically taking the time out of your busy life to write to me to reiterate a position that only Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger could possibly validate. Yet you say with seeming authority that the viewpoint of a bunch of vocal fans is right, and as such I must publicly concede my opinion. Let me repeat that -- that I must publicly concede my opinion, as if it's something I should pencil in my schedule between lunch and calling my sister. It is absolutely preposterous to demand such a thing of anybody. What right to you have to ask me this? "Fan Right?"

I was in the middle of having a night out with friends when I got your email on my Blackberry. I usually enjoy getting emails from readers, but this particular message was yet another reason I feel this Blackberry is pointless. You wrote: "listen to your friends when you've made a mistake." Friends don't demand that other friends change their opinion to fit mob rule. It's distasteful to ask. Don't you understand that? It robs me of my freedom to think critically and independently. And for what? For a comic book character. You know what, don't worry about The Joker's iconic integrity. They pay people big money to worry about his iconic integrity. They have a whole department to worry about his iconic integrity. Instead, why not create new things?

Do you agree with preachers who demand people follow their dogma? Who say that "Jesus loves you," but only if people agree with a particular interpretation of the Bible? If you don't, why do you think fans get a free pass to share this mentality? Seriously? I really want to know.

And you know who laughs the most at the spectacle of dogmatic conformity being enforced in His name?