Fact Check: Proshippers believe in letting people ship whatever they want.

The Claim: "Proshippers believe in letting people ship whatever they want."

Introduction

The claim that "proshippers believe in letting people ship whatever they want" pertains to a specific subculture within online fandoms. Proshippers advocate for the freedom to engage with any fictional pairings, regardless of the nature of those pairings, and often oppose the anti-shipping movement, which seeks to impose restrictions on what can be shipped based on moral or ethical considerations. This article will explore the nuances of proshipping, its origins, and the ongoing discourse surrounding it.

What We Know

1. Definition of Proshipping: Proshippers are defined as fans who support the idea that individuals should be free to create and enjoy any fictional pairings without facing harassment or judgment. This includes support for "problematic" ships, which may involve themes that some consider controversial or offensive 348.

2. Origins: The term "proship" emerged around 2015-2016 within online communities, particularly on platforms like Tumblr and DreamWidth. It was developed in response to the growing anti-shipping movement, which advocates for censorship of certain types of content in fan works 48.

3. Core Beliefs: Proshippers typically endorse the philosophy of "Don't Like, Don't Look," meaning that if someone does not approve of a particular ship, they should refrain from engaging with it rather than attempting to police others' preferences 57. They also emphasize the importance of respecting others' creative expressions 26.

4. Opposition to Anti-shipping: Proshippers often oppose the anti-shipping movement, which argues that certain fictional relationships can normalize harmful behaviors or ideologies. Proshippers reject this notion, asserting that fiction does not directly influence reality in such a manner 14.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the proshipping movement is primarily derived from fan culture and online discourse, which can vary widely in reliability and bias.

• Credibility of Sources:

  • Wikipedia 1 is generally a reliable starting point for definitions and context but should be corroborated with more specialized sources due to potential biases in editing.
  • Urban Dictionary 2 provides a community-driven definition but may lack academic rigor and can reflect subjective interpretations.
  • Fanlore 39 is a wiki dedicated to documenting fan culture, which can be useful but may also reflect the perspectives of its contributors, potentially leading to bias.
  • Tumblr and Carrd sources 567 are often informal and can vary in credibility based on the author's intent and audience. They may provide insight into community sentiments but should be approached with caution due to their subjective nature.

• Conflicts of Interest: Many sources discussing proshipping are produced by individuals who identify as proshippers themselves, which may lead to a biased portrayal of the movement. This self-referential nature can skew the representation of opposing viewpoints, particularly those of anti-shippers.

• Methodology: The understanding of proshipping is largely based on anecdotal evidence and community discussions rather than empirical research. This lack of formal study means that claims about the beliefs and behaviors of proshippers may not be universally applicable.

• Contradicting Perspectives: While proshippers advocate for freedom of expression in shipping, anti-shippers argue that certain ships can perpetuate harmful stereotypes or normalize abusive dynamics. This ongoing debate highlights the complexities of fandom interactions and the varying interpretations of what constitutes acceptable content 48.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that "proshippers believe in letting people ship whatever they want" is supported by a range of evidence indicating that proshippers advocate for the freedom to engage with any fictional pairings without facing harassment or judgment. Key evidence includes the definition of proshipping, its origins as a response to anti-shipping sentiments, and the core beliefs that emphasize creative freedom and respect for individual preferences.

However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of the available evidence. Much of the information comes from community-driven sources that may reflect biases, and the understanding of proshipping is largely based on anecdotal evidence rather than empirical research. Additionally, the ongoing debate between proshippers and anti-shippers complicates the narrative, as differing perspectives on what constitutes acceptable content continue to evolve.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information themselves, considering the diverse viewpoints and the context in which these discussions take place.

Sources

1. Shipping discourse. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipping_discourse
2. Proship. (2020). Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Proship
3. Pro-shipper. (n.d.). Fanlore. Retrieved from https://fanlore.org/wiki/Pro-shipper
4. Delving Into the Rise of the Proshipper Movement. (n.d.). H-O-M-E. Retrieved from https://h-o-m-e.org/what-does-proshipper-mean/
5. Profiction / Proship FAQ - The basics. (n.d.). Tumblr. Retrieved from https://www.tumblr.com/goponylover/654940831877300224
6. Proshipbelphie: so, what does pro-ship really... (2024). Tumblr. Retrieved from https://ninnieartsies.tumblr.com/post/740881042103238656/proshipbelphie-so-what-does-pro-ship-really
7. Proship: What is it? (2022). Carrd. Retrieved from https://learnaboutproshipping.carrd.co/
8. What does it mean to be a 'proshipper' and an 'anti'? (2023). Michigan Daily. Retrieved from https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/proship-versus-anti-fandoms-new-terminally-online-discourse/
9. Shipping. (n.d.). Fanlore. Retrieved from https://fanlore.org/wiki/Shipping
10. Fandom's Biggest Controversy: The Story of Proshippers vs. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OcLDcg7UJw