Fandoms and Dreamwidth

[claudeb]

I see a lot of introductory posts around here that among others enumerate a narrow list of fandoms the author is into, and it makes no sense to me. Like, I'm into sci-fi and fantasy. That's a fandom already. To make it more specific, let's say space opera. But why, oh, why would I obsess endlessly over one particular franchise and nothing else? Even in my teenage years, the Star Trek club in my city was just a gateway into all kinds of speculative fiction. Not to mention, more of a pretext to meet people and make friends to hang out with. Which is infinitely more important than having likes and dislikes. Even then, I remember someone who worked hard to learn by heart the most obscure details about the Dune franchise, and gatekeeping me based on that. Because, isn't it, you can't be said to like a book, or film, or game, unless you dedicate 80% of your brainpower and time to it. Casual fans, go home!

And you know, funny how selective these fandoms are. Never heard of a fandom for Asimov's robot stories for instance. You'll say those predate fandoms as we know them, but that's not quite true, and there is a fandom of Larry Niven's Known Space, for instance, which is roughly from the same era. A small one, but it's there. Worse, there's a fandom for Michael Moorcock's Elric stories, but not the Dancers at the End of Time, never mind his other series. Even though the Dancers would make for an amazing setting to roleplay in. Only the late Ursula K. LeGuin seems to be appreciated as a writer: people who like her books like both the Ekumen and the Earthsea stories, as a general rule.

But then, there's someone who keeps asking me what foods I like, as if it was possible to like just one, or a few, to the exclusion of all the wonderful cuisine out there. Another person keeps asking me who I like in particular from our circle of friends. Which would make sense if they were asking in a romantic sense. But no. They're asking me to play favorites. Like, seriously? Don't you see how that could be more than a little problematic?

Give me variety any time. All kinds of people. All kinds of media. All kinds of aesthetic. To live in this age of plenty and pigeonhole myself on purpose would be a terrible waste.

Comments

[musyc]

I get you on some things. I don't have a favorite band or type of music - I like just about anything, any genre. Except jazz. I don't care for jazz. And even then I like swing and big band and blues and torch songs, which are all kind of related. :)

I like any genre of books and most genres of movies. There are individual bits I dislike in each (can't stand Palahniuk, can't stand Tarantino) but there's always something I enjoy in each.

I really only produce fannish work in one universe, Harry Potter, but I'll consume in any that catches my eye. I'm definitely a casual fan in that regard, but I find that works because I can be friends with a huge variety of people, across a spectrum. I generally have enough knowledge of whatever it is they like to be able to interact. In the "Oh, I've heard of that, tell me more about this aspect" sense. :)

[claudeb]

Yeah, there are many franchises I've only come to know indirectly, through fan works. Like Harry Potter. I only saw the first three movies, but read The Methods of Rationality, and seen a lot of fan art. So I can at least chat with friends about it. Which is one reason why fanfiction is so valuable to me.

Like, seriously, I love fanfiction. Crossovers especially can be awesome. Even when I'm not familiar with one of the crossed settings, because then I get to discover it along with my favorite characters. Now imagine someone who's not interested because they only like one tiny corner of the MCU, namely Thor/Loki slashfics. That's just sad.

[wanderingnork]

Rather than pigeonholing or playing favorites, I'd think of it in terms of priorities.

There's only so many hours in a day, and it's nice to say that you like everything, but in the end there's only so much you can devote time to. Your priorities will end up being with the thing that holds your attention most.

It's an age of plenty, sure, but I'd personally rather focus my attention on a few things that really stimulate me than cast a wide net.

[claudeb]

Oh! That makes sense. I'm not a very active fan, but others do a LOT of things related to their favorite franchises. Fanfic, fanart, fansites, going to conventions, discussing theories... When you're that kind of fan, then yeah, guess you need to focus. Thanks!

[wanderingnork]

You're welcome! And thank you for this entry, it was super thought-provoking. I definitely took a look at my life before responding!

The mention of Moorcock, incidentally, reminds me that I STILL haven't gotten hold of Dancers at the End of Time. My dad owned all the Elric books so I grew up on those, but I REALLY want to read more and just haven't been able to locate them...