I think what causes the trouble in this case is ultimately that there's this particular economic framework we're trying to place over the exchange that occurs in fandom, and it really, REALLY doesn't fit for a million reasons. But it's totally pervasive, constantly throwing up uncertainty and unreasonable expectations... Because really, there are so many factors specific to each particular fandom, person and community, as well as the overall culture of fandom, that break that economic model.

I just wish we could all come around to seeing it for what it is and being less stressed out by what we expect it to be.