I learned something important from my daughter’s first-grade teacher that has stayed with me: “Don’t yuk someone else’s yum.” Our moms might have said it differently: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” It’s simple, but there’s wisdom in it that the online, and particularly social media, world of fandom could use. Just because you don’t love something doesn’t mean someone else can’t find joy in it. Even worse, your ‘yuk’ hot take may stifle content creators’ ability to bring out content you might end up loving.
(Let’s address the elephant in the room: Yes, I know this is my hot take—but hey, mine’s aimed at you, the fan, not the content creators.)
After what seems like a lifetime at TheOneRing.net (Has it really been 25 years?!), I’ve seen every possible reaction to new Tolkien content. From diehard fans reveling in every second of a new adaptation to those who can’t wait to point out what went “wrong.” It’s predictable and, frankly, exhausting. Every time something new comes out, it’s like clockwork: a flurry of love, a tidal wave of hate, and everyone shouting into the social void.
The truth is, not every story needs to be made for you, and that’s okay. I promise. 🤗
Critique? Sure, it has its place. But what’s happened is we’ve confused having an opinion with needing to broadcast it. Tolkien’s world is vast. It can hold different visions and interpretations from both filmmakers and fans. We don’t need to take sides in an imaginary battle over what’s “right.”
But why even bring this up? Because the casual social user, or even the casual internet participant, sees that ‘yuk’ always rises to the top. Algorithms are designed to push controversy and conflict into our feeds, knowing that our human condition tends to lean toward drama over harmony. Negative opinions and arguments get engagement, and platforms thrive on that. But here’s the problem: content creators use those negative metrics to gauge the success or failure of their work. And often, they make decisions—like canceling a show—based on the loudest, angriest voices, even when there’s a quiet following that genuinely enjoys it. Yes, these entities might be large corporations with teams of data scientists, but don’t assume that they are fully exploring the data to avoid simplistic conclusions.
Don’t yuk someone else’s yum – Annonymous
And there’s another side to this. Fans who do love something often hesitate to share their enthusiasm. Why? Because they don’t want to deal with the trolls. The loudest voices—the bullies of fandom—are quick to tear down anything that doesn’t meet their personal standards. And just like in politics, where the conversation is dominated by those with the loudest, harshest opinions, fandom is too often steered by negativity. The result? Studios and creators miss out on hearing from those who love the content, because those voices are drowned out.
Take the trailer for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew as an example. When it dropped, my fellow over-40 male demographic flooded my feed with waves of negativity. But here’s the thing: I’m secretly loving the idea of mixing Star Wars with The Goonies and Stranger Things. I want creators to take those kinds of risks with our beloved franchises. And if it turns out to be something I don’t enjoy, I’ll just quietly move on; no need to let folks know I wasn’t into it.
The beauty of all fictional universes and our beloved Middle-earth is that they can mean different things to different people. If someone’s finding joy in a version of the story that isn’t your cup of tea, do you really need to jump in and let them know? Let them have their moment. There’s a quiet strength in stepping back and allowing others to enjoy what they enjoy.
At the end of the day, fandom is supposed to bring people together, not force everyone into corners based on whether they loved or hated the latest installment. Maybe, just maybe, we don’t need to weigh in on every adaptation. If you’re not feeling it, maybe scroll past, or better yet, log off and reread The Silmarillion. The stories aren’t going anywhere. There will always be space for your favorites and your least favorites in Tolkien’s world.
The next time you’re tempted to post your hot take, think back to my daughter’s first-grade lesson. It’s okay to stay quiet and let someone else have their yum.
In fact, it might be the best thing you can do—not just for them, but for the creators who need to hear the whole story, and for fandoms to enjoy a new risk here and there.
So, remember: Too much yuk, and the content you love might never get made.
The views expressed in this article are those of just me, but maybe a few other TORn staffers agree. 🤷🏻♂️
P.S. If you’ve got thoughtful critiques or just want to discuss all things Tolkien in a more welcoming, troll-free zone, there are safer places for that. Check out TheOneRing.net’s Discord or message boards, where you can share your thoughts without drowning in negativity. Let’s keep the conversation lively, but respectful—Middle-earth deserves nothing less. Feel free to email me as well
P.P.S.Hey Amazon – I couldn’t end this article without sharing some of my yum. I am LOVING Season 2 of ‘Rings of Power!’ Don’t let anyone yuk my yum! 😋
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
VentureBeat sat down with the head of Freemode Embracer, which in 2022 bought the swag of Middle-earth rights long-held by Saul Zaentz, in a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present and future of The Lord of the Rings. In recent weeks, it was announced that Embracer would be split into three companies with one of them temporarily called “Middle-earth Enterprises and Friends” — a nod to the importance of LOTR to this publicly traded standalone company.
Lee Guinchard is wide-eyed and excited about the future of Rings. In the interview he explains the combative legal history of Rings and TheHobbit, where nearly everyone was suing everyone else. But now that bad blood is settled and there is a business effort to allow everyone to play nice, collaborate and create adaptations of Tolkien that are premium.
Also, fans get a couple shout-outs! We here at TheOneRing.net are excited to be included in any discussions that bring the fan perspective to the table.
During the past 18 months or so, Guinchard started quietly talking to the different parties that matter for The Lord of the Rings franchise, including Peter Jackson’s team, the Tolkien Estate, Warner Bros./New Line and Tolkien fans themselves at places such as The One Ring. Guinchard felt a need to build bridges — as many of the parties fell out with each other at different times in the past — and do his own homework about the market.
He was always a Tolkien fan, but he dug deeper into it than ever before, looking at things Tolkien himself said. And he was not coming at it from the approach of a conglomerate.
“Part of the due diligence was understanding what the map was,” Guinchard said. “Once you get under the hood, the actual rights are easy to understand. I started thinking. Oh God. This opportunity is way bigger than people realize. But it’s not an instant opportunity. You’ve got to look at this for a long time. Look at who the players are. And what can we do, as stewards of it? I had to get my head around what people are playing in and around our sphere.”
– Excerpt from GamesBeat
Its a long and worthwhile read to get a sense of where adaptations of The Lord of the Rings could be headed. Read it at Venturebeat.
The upcoming new series is stirring up emotions across the Fandom. Some are positive and hopeful, while others are not. With so many quick judgements as to what Tolkien would have wanted abounding we think it is wise to take a moment to remember what Tolkien’s message actually was. It was never about hate or exclusion. It was about how even the smallest people could achieve great things and build a better world, even when up against incredible odds.
The novels themselves were written during a different era, but Tolkien’s spirit no doubt never intended for them to only live there. They are not historical. They are fantasy and lore. Created for us to see the best of ourselves in all times. As the different adaptions have come throughout the decades, they have all reflected the times in which they are created. This new series will be no different, and we are excited about that.
This is how a work lives and grows. The new series will bring in new people to the fandom and make it stronger, just like the Peter Jackson movies did. Not a few of us were brought into this fandom by those movies. They lead us to the wonderful books, and the great fellowship. The books are not changed by the new adaptations. They will always remain, but now new people will discover them.
With any fandom as strongly loved as ours, there will always be disagreement as to how things should have been done. There will be debate over storylines and new characters. Our hope is that through it all, we can all hold on to the Fellowship and belonging that Tolkien was trying to create. Good over Evil, united, Tolkien Forever.
Come join the Southern California TORn staff and Tolkien fans on Saturday, September 18, 2021, as we celebrate Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ shared birthday in Griffith Park. The party will kick off at Noon, and run until about 6 pm. The biggest difference this year will be NO POTLUCK. Please bring enough food and drink for yourself and the group you will be attending with. As always, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and maybe a popup for shade are all good things to bring in order to stay comfortable. We are returning to the Mineral Wells section of Griffith Park, which is near the Harding Golf Course. Please head to the Baggins Birthday Bash Facebook event page for directions and a map. https://www.facebook.com/events/193623342558178/
While this event is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, the dual issues of COVID restrictions and/or Wildfires could become an issue this coming week. Should LA County trigger a restriction of large gatherings or a Wildfire trigger evacuations in the region of Griffith Park, we will post a Cancelation notice to the FB page first, and if there is time, post here on the main website as well.
As for COVID restrictions, the LA County guidelines recommend masking outdoors only in the case of a Mega Event, and that has only happened once. We are recommending everyone have a MASK with them, ready to wear near groups of people and remove when eating and drinking. The outdoor setting should afford us more than enough space to social distance if it makes you feel comfortable. We would PREFER if everyone attending was fully vaccinated, but none of us are qualified to verify the CDC card, so we won’t be asking.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth, and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Just deserts
By D. McGlinchey
You would have screamed in agony. As did your victims . You would have clawed off your skin. As you did to so many. You would have cursed at the fates. As the helpless cursed you. And you would have struck blindly out. As all doomed victims do. But here you all stand now. Forever enshrined. As hard as your hearts! And as cold as your mind. No more in the shadows, your terror to spread. No more will folk fear you, and quake in their bed. The dawn it has claimed you. Forfeit to those claimed. And the sun’s touch has sealed you, With your fury now tamed. Three hunters all trapped by the prey they had caught. And your screaming and writhing has aided you naught! This was your ending, the old tales were true, When the dawn took you all, and made statues of you!
~ * ~
Pernicious Palantir
By: Crystal Dawson
Eyes affixed to the orbed glass, Denethor kept scrolling as Sauron was trolling, poisoning his mind and twisting his heart with a herald so fantastic how could it be false?
The Dark lord reckoned an end for all men that was as evil as it was inevitable. Fear seeped through the steward’s bones bending his will and back. Hunched he remained wherever he sat and his eyes were oft a glaze.
Deep were his musings, cavernous and bleak until all ends ceased in bitter despair. Had his thoughts delved wider, he may have rekindled hope, from alliances afar but not unforgot.
“Flee flee for your lives” he vehemently declared, draining all hearts who heard, of hope: For what is the use? Accept your fate and die in whatever way seems best to you. For no change will come, no hope with dawn. Only fearsome foe surround.
Against such might who could stand up and fight? Best to give up your plight and fly. You fools that march are madder than I, rallying to your kin, waving your torn banners on high.
No rival races will unite. No prodigal sons return. I have seen your future, bleak it remains, empty and void of all light. No aid will appear from sea or sky; you will die in battle this night
The fallen Maia rose in power with each hopeful light put out. Further still the Shadow reached. No great king could stop his advance. What council could ally against his fearsome countless horde?
Atop his solitary tower the flame licked slit narrowed with a gleam and glower, renewed was its eternal blaze. For what power was left in Middle earth that could divert his piercing gaze.
Perhaps none… but the power of one, with one, with another and another, bound in friendship, bonded in love, blind to hate and bold in fear. Faith to see an age that can be united by love of the good in this world, that is worth fighting for.
~ * ~
Untitled
By: darkkrose
I pray thee, Tulkas, lend me strength and guide my sword with sharpness, My time has come to join the fray, I need my heart be dauntless. Don’t let me tire, falter, fail, don’t let my courage dwindle, If I’m about to give up hope, the flame of hope rekindle.
And if by chance the Waiting Halls would open wide before me, Great Námo, Keeper of my fate, have pity and restore me. Don’t let me dwell too long a time in solitude and sadness, Allow me walk under the Sun and feel again its warmness.
~ * ~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth, and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Upon the Mossy Bank
By: Rebecca Ayers
A voice on the wind, so fair Drifting in through the door Evokes visions of rain in the air Which moves the young scribe to his core
Dust stirs around his feet As he explores the library’s stacks He finds the source of the sound so sweet A forgotten tome left open, marred by drops of wax
Clear water rushes over him in a flash Submerging him in a shimmering pool A white hand grips his collar, as he begins thrash And hauls him back to land, where the moss beneath him is cool
Smiling down at him is a beautiful maid Robed in a silken gown of deep, forest, green Her golden hair is woven with flowers, held back in a braid Her visage most wondrous to be seen
She greets the scribe with a voice soft as dew And bids him welcome to her home Inside sits a jolly man, in a tunic bright blue Who pours them ale with fragrant foam
Adventure awaits the scribe in this land Though his purpose is not yet said By dawn he shall join a courageous band To be trained in the ways of magic and languages long dead
The library is far away now The dust and ink washed from his fingers His hosts lead him to a comfortable bed beneath an evergreen bough Outside, the beckoning song lingers
~ * ~
Lament for Lalaith
By: Eruthiawen Telcontar
When the ground was wet with dew And Tilion began to flee; When black of night gave way to blue And Arien was once set free:
The lightest footsteps ever heard; They rushèd past, and light they blurred.
When brightest was the noonday sun And laughing ran the little stream; When the morning’s light was done And tired eyes slipped into dream:
Her heart was full, her face was bright She laughed at each and every sight.
When dark was stream and pale was moon And weary were the Edain; When houses swelled with drowsy tune And blessed sleep found those within:
With open ears she listened long Her heart was filled with many a song.
Her arms were lithe and strong and free With meadow-flow’rs she wove her hair; An elven-maid she seemed to be With radiant face so bright and fair:
Her spirit left and passèd on From Dor-lómin she now is gone.
~ * ~
O Edain, Edain
By: Adam Waggener
Edain, Edain, Iluvatar’s second-born are come at last, Our wondrous new kin have risen with the sun. We Eldar welcome you here, in friendship we will hold fast, As Arien’s fire rises high, and a new age has begun. Edain, Edain, of much in the world you must learn, Of lands, lore, craft, and tongue, we Eldar will show you much. Ye seek honor and glory, after valor your hearts do yearn, In time ye will rise to heights your own, with strength you will achieve such. Edain, Edain, your lives pass by like gasps in time, Like shooting stars of night, racing briefly to fade and die. Yet brief they are, your lives brightly shine, Bright as that golden sun lighting all the endless sky. Edain, Edain, by Eru Iluvatar ye are blessed, To guide thy kin’s own destiny, a freely chosen fate. Hold fast to what is good, endure life’s every test, That your strength and valor live on once you are beyond death’s gate. Edain, Edain, Manwe rules from the sapphire sky, Closest of all Ainur to Iluvatar, his judgment ever true. His queen, Lady Varda, gave us the eternal stars on high, Those purest silver lights, the first the Eldar ever knew. Edain, Edain, Arda’s seas are Ulmo’s land, Quiet springs and raging tides all answer to his deep voice. Aule the Smith forges mighty works with his hands, The father of dwarves shapes the earth, in forging wonders does he rejoice. Edain, Edain, these strong trees and emerald leaves, Come from Yavanna, Aule’s wife, all green things she keeps. Mandos proclaims Arda’s dooms, heavy for all to receive, And guides souls past ever-looming death, guides them to their sleep. Edain, Edain, Lady Vaire ever weaves her threads, Mandos’ wife tells Arda’s tale in a tapestry so grand. Sad Nienna, Mandos’ sister, ever hang her somber head, Weeping over Arda’s wounds, comforting the dead with gentle hand. Edain, Edain, do you hear Orome’s resounding horn, The Valar’s stalwart huntsman, all monsters his spear doth pierce. I hear the hearty laugh of Tulkas, with hair as gold as the morn, A warrior of unequaled might, and ever a friend so fierce. Edain, Edain, your youth is not left to chance, Lady Vana, Orome’s wife, deems precious every life tender and young. Nessa, Tulkas’ wife, spins on in joyful dance, Faster than the swiftest arrow from any bow ever strung. Edain, Edain, be not haunted by evil dreams, May master Lorien calm thy visions, in them may you see peace. Este, his wife, heals all hurts, all wounds she redeems, By her hand may all pain and long agony at last cease. Edain, Edain, this pure world foul Morgoth has maimed, The Dark Lord seeks to destroy and corrupt, with malice dark and cruel. One day the Silmarils will be reclaimed, The Valar will yet return and end dark Bauglir’s rule. Edain, Edain, let us cherish our time as friends, Before your life ends by age, illness, or blades of steel. You face that death with courage, not frightened by that end, Your doom cannot rob you of your vigor nor your zeal. Edain, Edain, let your life shine ever bright, Like that last fruit of Laurelin, that warm, intimate sun. You will be missed my dear friend, as you go into that night, May you journey on knowing your life’s battles are won. Edain, Edain, as your years here near their end, May light guide you to that great unknown, beyond Arda’s most distant shore. In this farewell I will not despair, I hope we shall meet again, In world remade, in Eru’s light, in the new West, forevermore.
~ * ~
The Fox of Dorthonion
by Hans Howk
It had not been deliberate, the bumbling toward the demon’s trap; the fox had left Dorthonion and eastward made for Maglor’s Gap, but peaks there were at forest edge and finding not an easy way, he steered him north and soon was lost in foreign wood, the fox dismayed.
Long he searched the huddled pines and cursed his nose for aiding not, until at last the great trees broke and padding quick the traveler thought, ‘The Pass of Aglon! Thank the stars! And if I keep a steady course, the Gap of Maglor there at last and onward to great Gelion’s source!’
But fog like cobwebs hid the moon, the fox held to a faulty path, and blunted by a fool’s relief he crossed into Dor Daedeloth.
Pitch was night in Angband’s realm, the wayward traveler passing near, and careful not to tumble stone for if some wretched guard should hear the shuffling of his nightly noise and thought to check the placid plain, the fox would surely come to know the truth of tales of dread and pain.
Creeping through the browning grass a sudden urge to lay him down, to sleep a while and rest his bones bethrust the fox upon the ground.
He lay in sleep an hour at most- or was it several thousand years- and did not feel the clutching claws that lifted up his hide severe and carried him for leagues on end, up mountain roots and valleys grim, and came at last to settle by the gates of cold Thangorodrim.
The horrors impressed upon the fox no story there is fit to tell. He suffered long in fiery pits and languished in the jails of hell, until the rending was complete and rising forth to take his place among the fey sentries and ghosts that haunt the marshes and the wastes.
And in Dorthonion they say, when fog lays cool upon the pines, and clouds enshroud the winter moon, the fiend of Morgoth wanders nigh. And stout hearts dread to hear his call, the nightmare screams that ring therein are echoes of that ancient song that stalks the steps of Elves and Men.
