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boldog
Rohan
Jun 16 2013, 8:32am
Post #1 of 26
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any teenage ringers?
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Lol I just had to ask. I was bored so I started looking at some people's profiles. Most people were over 30, which got me worried. Am I the one of the few younger generation z people to love Tolkien? Is it becoming a dying piece of literature among thw youth? Most people only like the movies because they are action packed and epic, but im sure at least 99% of them don't know anything deeper about the law.
So are there any teenage ringers, or is it a dying fad??
"fingolfin looked up in grief to see what evil morgoth had done to maedhros"
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demnation
Rohan
Jun 16 2013, 8:48am
Post #2 of 26
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I'm not a teenager (22), but from what I've seen most people on TORn seem to be between 18 and 25. As for "fad", I think that is just the nature of these things: they wax more and they wax less, but they never wane. Some day, most people won't care about comic book super heroes anymore (shocking, I know) but it will be the small, core group of fans that will keep those heroes alive for another generation. Same with Tolkien. That being said, I think that Tolkien enjoys a consistent level of popularity that is rarely afforded to even the greatest of authors.
My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself- J.R.R. Tolkien
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malickfan
Gondor
Jun 16 2013, 10:12am
Post #3 of 26
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I was 19 when I joined TORn (two years ago) and 17 when I started 'lurking', so your'e not alone
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This is not a very interesting signature is it?
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Radagast-Aiwendil
Gondor
Jun 16 2013, 11:31am
Post #4 of 26
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I'm 17 and a bigger Tolkien fanatic than anyone I know-though admittedly I don't know too many LotR fans in person. Most of my friends appreciate both the books and the Jackson movies, though one dislikes the book but loves the films.
I don't think it is "dying" as such, but I imagine that most young people know it only from the movies. Indeed almost anyone these days who is a serious fiction reader has probably come across the most magical children's book ever written-The Hobbit. I suppose the apparent "complexity" or length of Tolkien's work is what puts people off, a bit like this fear of Shakespearean language that is so common now. And it's true, to an extent Tolkien's writing is sometimes hard to follow. Even I, somebody who read LotR ten times before picking up the Silmarillion found reading that a very challenging task (there are still bits of it I don't entirely get now, lol) but nevertheless a worthwile one. That is the problem methinks: many people these days are not patient enough to persist with things, expecting an instant results rather than taking the time to uncover the gold beneath the surface, as such.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."-Gandalf
(This post was edited by Radagast-Aiwendil on Jun 16 2013, 11:31am)
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Magpie
Immortal
Jun 16 2013, 11:38am
Post #5 of 26
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We've had quite a few over the years
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My sense is, life gets busy at times for most of them and we see them less and less often. But then more come by.
But I know a few of them were 15 and 16 when they were active. And most teenage members most I know (rather than suspect) the age of, were lovely, intelligent, sure for good things people.
I'm not sure I followed your comment about 99% of them don't know anything deeper about the law. What does law have to do with this?
LOTR soundtrack website ~ magpie avatar gallery
TORn History Mathom-house ~ Torn Image Posting Guide
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Radagast-Aiwendil
Gondor
Jun 16 2013, 11:51am
Post #6 of 26
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I think he meant "lore" instead of "law"//
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"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."-Gandalf
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thorinoakenshield
Rivendell
Jun 16 2013, 1:27pm
Post #8 of 26
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I am only 14 years old. I joined TORN when I was 13. I read all the books when I was 10 or 11. I am a huge Tolkien fan, and I am only a teenager.
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shadowdog
Rohan
Jun 16 2013, 3:35pm
Post #9 of 26
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then you never saw LoTRs in the theater?
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Jay236
The Shire
Jun 17 2013, 10:27am
Post #10 of 26
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I'm 16 and I'm a HUGE ringer. I didn't know anyone before I found this website who liked it quite as much as me.
If more people valued food, cheer and song above hoarded gold, the world would indeed be a merrier place-Thorin Oakenshield, The Hobbit
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Lothwen
Rivendell
Jun 17 2013, 2:47pm
Post #11 of 26
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Hey Boldog
I'm 15 and a total tolkien fanatic. 
I've only just finished reading Silm, and I'm about to start UT.
I do like the movies but I think the books are far better ( sorry movie fans)
Who knows, maybe I'll even read HoME someday...
I've also got a younger sister(11) who's almost as crazy about it as I am. (I'm trying to convince her to read silm, but maybe she's still a bit young)
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RachellovesLOTR
Rivendell
Jun 17 2013, 6:35pm
Post #12 of 26
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So this is my last year as a TEENAGE ringer. I'll always be a ringer though ;)
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Faenoriel
Tol Eressea
Jun 17 2013, 8:42pm
Post #13 of 26
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The youngest ones might not be here on this site
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Even within the same fandom, different internet sites attract different demographics. TORn is a very mature discussion forum. If you want to find more teenagers, I'd suggest Tumblr.
Faenoriel, 25.
But every word you say today
Gets twisted 'round some other way
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied
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Faenoriel
Tol Eressea
Jun 17 2013, 8:46pm
Post #14 of 26
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Oh, and Tolkien has survived for 70 years now
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Boasting a strong and healthy fandom, in which both genders, all age groups, all ethnic groups and all continents are represented. It's like the Jane Austen fandom or the Conan Doyle fandom; decades come and go, with the exact structure of the fandom changing by time, but it always survives, in a form or another. In the 60's many Tolkienists were hippies, now many are Ringers. In the future, who knows.
But every word you say today
Gets twisted 'round some other way
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jun 18 2013, 12:33am
Post #15 of 26
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How did you handle The Silmarillion?
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It took me three (!) tries to get past the first chapter, but once I finished it I re-read LOTR and it seemed like I was reading a new book.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Ataahua's stories
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Ziggy Stardust
Gondor
Jun 18 2013, 12:34am
Post #16 of 26
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I've been into Tolkien since I was 13
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I'm 24 now. You're not alone. It's just today's teens are too preoccupied with technology that they pay no attention to books. At least they loved the films. Tolkien's works are modern classics, and they'll last. Maybe suggest to your teen friends to pick up the books. Have them start with The Hobbit. They won't regret it.
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Lothwen
Rivendell
Jun 18 2013, 6:51am
Post #17 of 26
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I'll admit it was quite a slow read
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The first chapter was particularly dense, and there were times when I was like, "Was Fingon related Finwe, or was that Finrod? Or both? And who was Hurin anyway...." 
But it was a cool read; I feel like I have much more understanding and depth to LotR now. I will definitely read sil again sometime soon. After UT. And after I've LotR again.
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jun 18 2013, 6:59am
Post #18 of 26
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Ah yes - the myriad Elves whose names begin with F.
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I struggled to keep straight who was who - especially when they went by more than one name! I might have sworn out loud when I got to the end of the book and discovered the blinking glossary!
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Ataahua's stories
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BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan
Jun 18 2013, 9:43am
Post #19 of 26
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Glad to see so many young Tolkien aficionados. I read The Hobbit as an eleven-year-old and watched LOTR soon after. I'm hooked.
I know lots of people who love reading, but they seem to be concerned with modern works. One thing that concerns me is the slow death of language - at least, it's that way in my school. People just don't care anymore at all - I don't know if it's happening in other countries. I'm not sure. Do any of the older members of the forum (who are teachers) see the decay in the spelling and grammar of school children?
"Eala Earendel engla beorhtast
ofer middangeard monnum sended."
"Who put the tribbles in the quadrotriticale!?"
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Rembrethil
Tol Eressea
Jun 19 2013, 7:38pm
Post #20 of 26
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I started at 15 to get into it, past the movies. I think I was a bit young when I first saw them, so it went over my head at ages 7-9. Then I entered a real literary phase of reading serious literature. Dickens, Greek classics, Doyle, Haggard, and others. My dad handed me the books and mentioned that he read hem in high school before Tolkien was mainstream? cool. I, having much, some say TOO much ,LOL, in common with my dad, read them and was lost in the depth if the writing.
Now I am still probing the depths of his writings, and prying every secret from its hiding place.
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noWizardme
Half-elven
Jun 20 2013, 11:18am
Post #21 of 26
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The Reading Room is doing a "read-through" of the Silmarillion, - come join us!
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The system is that we work through the book, discussing a chapter a week. All kinds of ideas and points come up that a solo reader may not have thought of. All are welcome - to ask questions, contribute thoughts (or just to read the posts, if you don't choose to post anything yourself). There's no minimum age or experience level. And no maximum one either.
We're on the Ruin of Beleriand now.
Here's a link to a "contents page" of earlier chapter discussions, if you'd like to see what people said about earlier chapters. All of those threads are still "open" - so not too late to post on them if you wish.
Here's a link to the timetable for the chapters still to come
Disclaimers: The words of noWizardme may stand on their heads! I'm often wrong about things, and its fun to be taught more....
"nowimë I am in the West, Furincurunir to the Dwarves (or at least, to their best friend) and by other names in other lands. Mostly they just say 'Oh no it's him - look busy!' "
Or "Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!"
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Lothwen
Rivendell
Jun 20 2013, 12:07pm
Post #22 of 26
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Thanks, noWizardme! I have been reading some of the posts, and did attempt to reply to one of them. But I hadn't finished sil at that stage, so I felt a bit overwhelmed.
I'll definitely try to join in now.
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noWizardme
Half-elven
Jun 20 2013, 2:05pm
Post #23 of 26
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I Tried to read the Silmarillion as a teen in the 70s, failed
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…despite being a serial reader of LOTR at the time.
Which is anecdotal, I know, but i offer it as evidence against a "young people these days have no stamina, y'know" line.
But I'm enjoying it in the companionship of the reading room.
(The "come join in" I posted on another sub thread was meant to apply to everyone)
Disclaimers: The words of noWizardme may stand on their heads! I'm often wrong about things, and its fun to be taught more....
"nowimë I am in the West, Furincurunir to the Dwarves (or at least, to their best friend) and by other names in other lands. Mostly they just say 'Oh no it's him - look busy!' "
Or "Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!"
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RangerLady23
Lorien
Jun 20 2013, 4:17pm
Post #24 of 26
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I have felt the same way a lot. That I am a member of a few young Ringers, myself being 23, but I know that they are out there. The problem with a lot of younger people is the age of technology. Yes we can now download books but when you have all those other apps that can be viewed, played or drooled over why would the teenagers read? But I am out here and I want you to know that I am supporting of the books 100% and also of the movies and never let ANYONE dissuade you of your love. Be geeky, be proud and LotR Ever!!!!
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CuriousG
Half-elven
Jun 20 2013, 5:25pm
Post #25 of 26
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What does everyone think about the future age range of Tolkien fans? I'm thinking of these factors:
- After The Hobbit trilogy leaves theaters, LOTR and TH will eventually be considered as "classics" you'd watch on TV that might interest some people, but would they have a fan base? A couple random examples: are there large "Ben Hur" fan clubs out there, or for a more recent classic, numerous "Titanic" lovers discussing it still?
- Given the many, many games and devices and other forms of entertainment available, and more to come in the future, plus the ever-increasing impatience with long books, would there be many people reading Tolkien in the next few decades?
I don't think Tolkien-lovers are an endangered species by any means, but I wonder how the fan demographic will change in the future. Will young people still discover the books, or will it be an older crowd who discover them only after getting interested in old books?
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