TexMoot 2025 Registration
Tolkien’s legendarium, spanning The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, The History of Middle-earth, and others works, has inspired generations of readers and creators alike, prompting adaptations across a wide range of media—film, television, theater, video games, and beyond. This year’s TexMoot theme, “Stagnation versus Adaptation: Toxic Traditionalism,” explores the tension between honoring Tolkien’s original vision and embracing new interpretations. Peter Jackson’s acclaimed The Lord of the Rings film trilogy demonstrated that faithful, yet adaptive, retellings could resonate deeply with audiences, though his later The Hobbit trilogy received more mixed reactions, reflecting the challenge of balancing creative expansion with reverence for the source material. More recently, Amazon’s The Rings of Power ignited debates within the fandom about what constitutes a "faithful" adaptation, sparking discussions on diversity, creative license, and fidelity to Tolkien’s mythology.
The acceptance of any adaptation often hinges on the criteria of how closely it aligns with the perceived "spirit" of Tolkien’s work—whether it respects the deep mythology, language, and themes of heroism, corruption, and moral struggle. However, this leads to the question: Can some deviations be inherently negative, or can some adaptations be a vital force for keeping Tolkien’s world alive for new audiences? While some view creative changes as necessary evolutions, others dismiss them as dangerous departures, potentially tipping into gatekeeping behavior. TexMoot will critically examine how toxic traditionalism has the potential to arise within all fandoms, Tolkien and beyond, stifling healthy dialogue and exploring where the line between legitimate critique and stagnation is drawn. Is there a point where the love for a creator’s work can become rigid, preventing any creative growth? Or, are some adaptations rightfully challenged for straying too far from the source?