#also to be clear it wasn't just Clown Gang that were problem starters

[annabelle--cane]

I really appreciate how level headed you are about the reputation TMA fandom has. Something I realized reading through your analysis is I think part of the problem was the TMA fandom was a uniquely awkward size during/after the blow up in that it was big enough to have a medium sized 1% of people who were being a problem but it wasn't big enough that you could avoid them without putting a lot of effort into it. (probably this isn't how math/percentages work but it is something i think about because, personally i've been in a massive fandom with a notoriously problematic 1% and. they sure did cause big loud problems very publicly. But it wasn't actually that hard to avoid them in day to day fandom activities. Whereas with TMA yeah there just really was a feeling of not being able to get away from each other)

ooh I think you are bang on the money with that one. it felt like I was always two degrees of separation away from someone who wanted to have me hanged drawn and quartered, even if my personal circle was quite well curated.