elwinfortuna: Rainbow Fëanorian star, surrounded by text: "through sorrow to find joy." (Default)
Elwin ([personal profile] elwinfortuna) wrote2023-01-31 07:12 pm
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Snowflake Challenge #15

Challenge #15: In your own space, opine on the future of fandom.

I'm not sure I have much to say that hasn't already been said better by others.

I think fandom will continue becoming more mainstream and there's every chance in another twenty years, you're as likely to be asked what fandom you're into as what sports team you support.

Even now, fandom isn't just one thing. It's too big for that. The sort of nebulous "science fiction and fantasy fandom" populated mainly by older, often white, and sometimes very conservative people who attend and run conventions, which tends to be what is generally meant by "fandom," is by far the minority of fandom now.

Now, fandom is defined far more by how you feel about a canon rather than what activities you do, and I think that will continue. No one asks you what you do for your favourite sports team when you say you're a fan of them, and this is also becoming the case for fandoms in general.

I think I need to write up a whole separate post on what we mean when we say "fandom." It's hard to talk about the future of something that I haven't yet fully defined in my own mind.
corvidology: Ophelia and goldfish (Default)

[personal profile] corvidology 2023-01-31 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I think 'fandom' can be difficult to define because by its very nature amorphous.

Half the time it takes me a while to recognize I'm even overhearing a 'fannish' conversation in a public place because I don't even recognize the *name* of the thing they're discussing.
elwendell: (Default)

[personal profile] elwendell 2023-02-01 11:44 am (UTC)(link)
I think the internet has vastly changed the fandom world. The web allows interaction by anyone, with anyone.