I was reading comments on a random Facebook post. This post was about audiobooks and how this particular person found joy in listening to an audiobook during their work commute. I’m not an audiobook fan myself as I prefer podcasts, however, I can see why audiobooks have gotten popular. One comment on this post was from a person who stated that audiobooks don’t count as reading. I could feel myself getting irritated once I read this. It inspired me to turn this into a full-blown post of gatekeeping opinions that suck.
Audiobooks Don’t Count as Reading
I completely disagree. Reading has evolved from reading physical books to kindles, and audiobooks making a huge comeback. This comes off as a gatekeeping opinion because it’s dictating what counts as reading. I’m a huge reader and I don’t want people to be criticized because they read differently. This opinion also discrimnates against disabled people. If someone is visually impaired leading them to listen to audiobooks, are they less of a reader due to a disability? Nope.
All Fans are Valid and Equal – (i.e reading the books or watching the movies only)
I see this a lot specifically in the Harry Potter or Game of Thrones fan communities. I do not have the bandwidth to handle reading all the Game of Thrones books, would I be less of a fan if I only watch the show? Not at all. Reading is extremely time-consuming, and watching a show or a film is a lot easier.
Playing Video Games on an Easier Difficulty
When I was younger, I had the time to play Halo Reach on the Legendary difficulty. Now, I barely have time to play a game for an hour. I don’t want to sit and struggle in my gaming free time. Therefore, I usually play on either an easier difficulty or whatever counts as the medium. I like a challenge, but I also like to use gaming as a way to unwind. It’s completely valid to be a gamer who plays in an easier difficulty setting.
Taking Six Months to Watch a Show vs. Binge-Watching
I’m a slow TV watcher. I don’t usually finish a show within a few days or a week. I have some friends that are able to binge-watch a show, and that’s cool. It doesn’t matter how much time it takes to watch a show, as long as you’re a fan of the show, you’re a fan! A good example of this is Schitt’s Creek. I love Schitt’s Creek, but I’m still on season #2 and it’s been at least four or five months since I watched. Planning a wedding doesn’t help with this as that has sucked up most of my free time. I’m still a fan of Schitt’s Creek even if it takes me the rest of this year to complete every season.
Those were all the gatekeeping opinions I have personally witnessed recently. Let me know in the comments if there were any I missed!
Bizarre Brunette 
I hate gatekeepers too like who they think they are? This is a fandom, nobody is in charge! I too play on lower difficulties like easy or normal and watch shows at my own pace for the exact same reasons you mentioned.
I see a lot of gatekeeping with music too where fans think you need to be there since the band formed to be a “true” fan. BS
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I could see music having some gate keeping people too.
Yeah it’s odd to me. Why the negativity? Isn’t is a good thing when more people like the same things we do?
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As someone who is very neurodiverse, I take ages to read a book and some books and writing styles I cannot get my head around but love the films! Audio books where the only thing that would get me to sleep as a kid. I have to play games on easy for quite a while, while I get to grips (literally) with the controls and cameras. So those people can kiss by big ole’ butt lol
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I think you bring up a good point though. Everyone is so different! Audiobooks work really well for you and it’s still reading just a different way.
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It’s definitely so much more time-consuming to play games on the hardest difficulty. Sometimes you just want to enjoy the story and not worry about your skills. No one should be shamed for that!
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Exactly! ^^
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