Fandom Survey... by deepgirl187

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Fandom Survey...

POSTED BY: DEEPGIRL187
UPDATED: Monday, April 27, 2009 21:01
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VIEWED: 2048
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Monday, April 27, 2009 6:06 AM

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get everyone's help on something.

I'm writing an article for a college magazine about my experiences in fandom, and I needed some help. I was hoping that some of you wouldn't mind responding to a few general questions about your own experiences. My intention would be to work some of these responses into the article itself. I can't promise I'd use every response, but I'll at least select one or two. Any help you guys could give me would be immensely appreciated. Thanks in advance! :)

1. What fandoms are you apart of?

2. How long have you been participating in fandom-related activities?

3. How do your opinions about fandom differ from when you first joined?

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"This is my timey-wimey detector. It goes ding when there's stuff. Also, it can boil an egg at 30 paces, whether you want it to or not, actually, so I've learned to stay away from hens. It's not pretty when they blow."

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Monday, April 27, 2009 7:26 AM

STARTROOP

First question, what fandoms are you a part of?

Officially, Firefly, Startrek, a local literary SF convention and a local historical and SF miniatures convention. Unofficially, am am interested in most anything well written that explores new and interesting ideas. A literation of ideas is the focus.

I went to my first convention in 1985. Before that I subscribed to SF magazines as I was in ther service and out of touch a lot. I was a member of a War gamin club in high school and college (1969 to 1978 if that counts.

I thought there would be a lot of semi functional people at these conventions and was concerned. Well, those folks do come but also a lot of bright and articulate folks that can talk all night about firearms in Firefly or orbital mechanics and quantum computing. What happened is that the middle fell out of the bell curve. The "normal" people stay away. The bright and creative come as do the folks with no lives. Coffession time. At different times in my life I have been all three ;-)

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Monday, April 27, 2009 7:26 AM

STARTROOP

First question, what fandoms are you a part of?

Officially, Firefly, Startrek, a local literary SF convention and a local historical and SF miniatures convention. Unofficially, I am interested in most anything well written that explores new and interesting ideas. A literature of ideas is the focus.

I went to my first convention in 1985. Before that I subscribed to SF magazines as I was in ther service and out of touch a lot. I was a member of a War gaming club in high school and college from 1969 to 1978 if that counts.

I thought there would be a lot of semi functional people at these conventions and was concerned. Well, those folks do come but also a lot of bright and articulate folks that can talk all night about firearms in Firefly or orbital mechanics and quantum computing. What happened is that the middle fell out of the bell curve. The "normal" people stay away. The bright and creative come as do the folks with no lives. Confession time. At different times in my life I have been all three ;-)

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Monday, April 27, 2009 8:29 AM

WAKEUPSOON

Quote:
Originally posted by deepgirl187:
1. What fandoms are you apart of?

Most things. I'm only an official member of fireflyfans.net but I read fanfiction for: Firefly (that one was obviously coming) Torchwood (I subscribe to the magazine too) Castle (light-hearted relief) Harry Potter (come to think of it, I'm a member at an all Harry Potter fanfic site - siye.co.uk)
Those are my mains, but I dip into others occasionally.

Quote:
Originally posted by deepgirl187:
2. How long have you been participating in fandom-related activities?

I'm yet to go to a convention, but I've been an active member here for around 10 months, a member of fanfiction.net for over a year and a half, and a member of Sink Into Your Eyes (siye.co.uk - see above) for up to 4 years.

Quote:
Originally posted by deepgirl187:
3. How do your opinions about fandom differ from when you first joined?

When I first joined it was purely to read more fan fiction, I considered site like this to be full of stereotypical geeks (old men living in their mother's basements thinking old tv shows are real) but now I've delved further into, I realise its full of normal people. Everyone is so friendly, and these conventions sound fun. I'm looking forward to going to one one day, and I'm not afraid of going on my own, because I know now that fandom members are usually pretty friendly.

~WuS
This is not my signature, I have to write this every time I post.
Smile && Nod, it makes it seem like you know what's going on.

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Monday, April 27, 2009 8:36 AM

FREMDFIRMA

Quote:
What fandoms are you apart of?

Firefly, Space Above & Beyond, Irresponsible Captain Tylor, Nausicaa, Final Fantasy, and that'll do for a start.

Quote:
How long have you been participating in fandom-related activities?

As in conventions and stuff ?
Since about 1997.

Quote:
How do your opinions about fandom differ from when you first joined?

Well, having originally not thought much of fans and fanhood in general, my opinion of fandoms has actually over time gotten better, because small that it may be these folk actually care about SOMETHING beyond themselves, and in the current era that's not as small a thing as it seems.

Also, they have a strong sense of community, and overall (with a few more rabid exceptions - HAN SHOT FIRST, DAMMIT! ) tend to be quite a tolerant and accepting sorta folk.

I also note that the age groups involved in fanhoods can be far more diverse than I had initially assumed, the last discussion I had about Nausicaa and the morals of non-violent problem solving was actually with a tiny but brilliant girl who couldn't have been more than ten, yet had invested more thought in the topic than most adults ever do.

So from having a low opinion originally and expecting a bunch of young dimwitted geeks, I was pleasantly surprised to find that most fandoms are in fact quite diverse and thriving communities of folk I consider to be on average a pretty good grade of people.

-Frem

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Monday, April 27, 2009 2:38 PM

DEEPGIRL187

Well, everything's finished. Thank you all for your help. If anyone's interested in reading it, I've posted it at my LJ: http://deepgirl187.livejournal.com/.

****************************************************

"This is my timey-wimey detector. It goes ding when there's stuff. Also, it can boil an egg at 30 paces, whether you want it to or not, actually, so I've learned to stay away from hens. It's not pretty when they blow."

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Monday, April 27, 2009 7:11 PM

VIOLYNS

Quote:
Originally posted by deepgirl187:

1. What fandoms are you apart of?

I'm a fan of many things, but I consider myself to be only a member of this fandom. I am a Browncoat.

Quote:

2. How long have you been participating in fandom-related activities?

I started fandom activities when I joined my local Browncoat group in late 2006. I went to my first CON in 2007. I am very active in the local Browncoat group. (Or was until I moved.)

Quote:

3. How do your opinions about fandom differ from when you first joined?

When I first started figuring this fandomy thing out, I realized that not all fandoms are created equal. I joined a few other forums on different topics. One was a His Dark Materials forum right before the Golden Compass came out. I grew so tired of the silly arguments that broke out about the movie that I ended up having to stop going to the site altogether. I have never felt that way about a Browncoat forum.

Also, before I joined this fandom, I don't think I realized that there were so many girls out there like me. Girls like sci-fi, too!

-----
~mia

Serenifly Costumes http://serenifly.tripod.com

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Monday, April 27, 2009 7:12 PM

VIOLYNS

Awww, just missed it!

-----
~mia

Serenifly Costumes http://serenifly.tripod.com

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Monday, April 27, 2009 8:25 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

You didn't specify fandom types.

Fandoms: Chris LeDoux (music), Due South (TV), Firehawks (cars), Firefly (TV)

Started attending fan events 1990.

I don't think I had enough of an image of fandom before I became a fan. No change in view of fanatics.

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Monday, April 27, 2009 9:01 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

1. What fandoms are you apart of?
-------------------------------------------
Although I'm a sci-fi fan (Star Wars, Star Trek: Voyager, Matrix, Dune, Stargate The Movie, Firefly), this is the first and only fandom I've participated in.

2. How long have you been participating in fandom-related activities?
---------------------------------------------
So far, posting has been the extent of my involvement. Not because I haven't wanted to go to the conventions, just haven't had the opportunity or the money.

3. How do your opinions about fandom differ from when you first joined?
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At first I had a mental picture of a bunch of nerds, mostly male, huddled in their basements worshipping oversized posters of Leia in her gold bikini. But now I've come to learn that sci-fi geeks like me are from all different walks of life, and, to my surprise, include female fans (who knew?). This site opened my eyes to how shiny people interested in sci-fi can be, particularly Browncoats. That we can argue, fuss and fight yet remain steadfast in our love for the 'verse. The sky will forever be free for our Firefly because of folk here. Nothing can take that from us.

SGG

Tawabawho?

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