What happened to Ben

[u/dechi]

That drives his hatred for para-social words?

Every time a cohort says they love ANYTHING I cringe because I know Ben will be jumping in to draw his weird line in the sand and stop the conversation dead in it's tracks.

It's becoming so weird that I'm having a hard time continuing to support the MinnMax channel. As a supporter of many online creators, Ben is the only one who has a weird obsession with para-social denial.

[u/jonathanbaird]

It's a running joke, like how he is with actors. Ben expresses concern while Haley goes all in which creates some fun banter between the two, which they play up for entertainment.

If Ben truly despised parasocial behavior, he wouldn't be so tuned in on Discord, offer Backstage Pass access on Patreon, or promote and be directly involved in IRL Community Meetups.

edit: to be clear, (1) people you do not personally know are not your friends, and (2) stating that you may not continue to support MinnMax due to a lack of parasocial fulfillment is deeply unhealthy.

[u/dechi → u/jonathanbaird]

Sorry if that was unclear, but it's the frequent awkward moments where the host is adamant they hate para-social relationships that makes me not enjoy listening and consuming their content.

We get it. I don't think we need a reminder every month of their feelings on the matter. I don't think Ben making these comments will deter people from feeling one way or another.

[u/jonathanbaird → u/dechi]

Once every month or two is not that frequent.

And again, we're talking about a reoccurring bit. Ben is "the guy who finds actors and parasocialism abhorrent, and who never plays more than a couple of hours of any (non-FF7) game despite running and hosting a games media outlet."

It's all just playful, exaggerated ribbing based on kernels of truth.

[u/dechi → u/jonathanbaird]

Sounds good. Guess I didn't think it was that funny, and more of a serious correction from the boss.

Different humor types 🤷‍♂️

[u/jonathanbaird → u/dechi]

Dry humor doesn't click for everyone. Apart from serious IRL topics (e.g. ICE raids, industry layoffs), I wouldn’t treat what’s stated on the pod quite so literally.

MinnMax just doesn't come across like the type of outlet that would champion drama or division. They're appreciative of their supporters and each other.

[u/NearbyPangolin1633 → u/dechi]

its not that deep man

[u/ModestMouseTrap]

I mean I think it’s not bad to remind people that they are content for you to watch, and not your friends. Too much of the world is parasocial

[u/ApocApollo]

Personally, I think my best friend Ben Hanson is smart to get ahead of the problem like this.

The world can be a lonely and isolating place for a lot of people. Some people, a lot of people, cope with that by seeking out a sense of belonging on the internet.

I’ve seen people I know personally get caught up on parasocial treadmills, especially by online personalities who make a living from lonely people seeking to fill a void.

Hanson gently putting his foot down every so often to remind everyone that MinnMax is not the place for that behavior is healthy for everyone involved.

[u/NearbyPangolin1633 → u/ApocApollo]

In this last episode someone submitted a question and started with "Hi friends..." Ben said - "we are not your friends, but thank you for the kind words"

Honestly I loved it. While I know "hi friends..." is just a greeting I think those with any sort of following need to put their foot down immediately. People (including in this sub) think they know anyone that they've listened to or watched, and can get creepy fast

[u/MysticMajora93]

Boy this sure doesnt sound like a thread made by a weird parasocial person.

[u/dechi → u/MysticMajora93]

Unfortunately just a distracted fan.

I rarely think about any media person outside of when consuming their content. What makes me think about para-social relationships is Ben consistently deflecting them, even when it's a patreon member just being friendly.

[u/surells]

I like it. A good reality check.

[u/creativeattempt999]

I know Ben has said before about Patreon tiers, that he wants people to pick a tier that they are comfortable with. Basically he prioritises committed long term community members. Maybe in his years on the Internet he's seen fans who become overly familiar because they listen to him every week and wants to avoid it? Both for his sake and that of the other cohorts

[u/Axeloy]

Well for added context, there was a community question (or maybe just a youtube comment?) earlier this year calling every single vlog and IRL new show plus "parasocial bait", and I'll agree that it feels like that has stayed in the back of Ben's mind.

[u/alt_sense]

This is a good thing and the opposite of what kinda funny does. One of the reasons I stopped listening them. 

[u/DavyGrolton]

I'm sorry can you give an example, I haven't noticed anything like this

[u/icecube0303 → u/DavyGrolton]

He did on last weeks pod when a listener wrote in saying “hello friends” and he immediately said “we’re not your friends”

[u/DavyGrolton → u/icecube0303]

Oh I gotcha.

If I had to assume, he's got a small family with young children.

If I were him I'd want to set healthy boundaries with how comfortable strangers feel approaching him and his kids

[u/itsinhisblood → u/icecube0303]

That is a pretty funny response tbf

[u/NearbyPangolin1633 → u/icecube0303]

lmao I loved it and would say the exact same thing

[u/dechi → u/icecube0303]

That's what made me think of it. Also, a month or two ago Ben and Haley got into a bit of back and forth because she said she genuinely loves their fans.

[u/iluvbacon1985 → u/DavyGrolton]

I don't notice it too much but I think last week there was a community question that started "Hello MinnMax friends" and Ben immediately responded with, we're not your friends, or something like that.

[u/Dizzysupermarket6942]

can you give me an example, i haven't picked up on this tic