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So, there has been some talk on the Numb3rs part of my flist about fandom in general, how it works and how it impacts us (or how it should impact us).
(Links if anyone is interested)

I'm not really going to talk about it right now but I'm curious. It was mentioned in

munchkinofdoom's post that fandom can be split into two groups, those who think fandom is a way of life, and those who think it's just a hobby. Out of curiosity, where does my flist sit on that idea?

[Poll #1218832]

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To me, the idea of a way of life implies a set of beliefs and actions that imbue every day life, with specific moral and ethical aspects (though those morals/ethics will differ from person to person). It implies commitment (although not rigidity, because I don't believe we get much from being inflexible in certain circumstances. I also think we refine our beliefs and actions over time). So fandom can't be a way of life to me - because I take breaks from fandom, or periodically lose interest in aspects of fandom, and so on. On the other hand, I don't take breaks from my specific ways of looking at who I am and what I do in everyday life (things that involve specific ideas of responsibilities and ethical behaviours to other people, the environment, and non-human animals).

Fandom is one of my hobbies. It's one I enjoy, and when I find it gets frustrating or less enjoyable (wank fests and so on), I either ignore this and focus on the parts of fandom I like, or focus on other hobbies for a while (one of the reasons I really like Firefly fandom is that there haven't been many fandom explosions. At least that I've seen). But fandom is not one of my main priorities - I don't live and breathe fandom (don't get me wrong here - I do value fandom and get a lot out of it). This is why I wouldn't consider a way of life for me.

To me, the idea of a way of life implies a set of beliefs and actions that imbue every day life, with specific moral and ethical aspects
Ha, it's funny that you should say that because actually? That is kind of true for me. Maybe it's because I can get sucked into

metafandom and such discussions but I find fandom can keep me honest or teach me things about how I see the world/act in it. Don't get me wrong, fandom can be full of a lot of bullshit, but so can life, and it's all about wading through and picking what you choose to believe. I know that a while ago I was sort of having a fight/strong discussion with my mom, because religion is very important to her and it's a huge phobia of mine so we don't really see eye to eye on the subject. At one point she said something like, "Going to church helps to remind you or what's right and what's wrong" and all I could think was "If that's the only reason to go, than I'm good, because fandom can do that for me."

So fandom can't be a way of life to me - because I take breaks from fandom, or periodically lose interest in aspects of fandom, and so on.
Hmm, and again, I firmly put myself in the "fandom as a way of life" category but for me, even when I step away from fandom, or am offline for months, I still have... personality traits? No, not really, more like habits that I firmly consider fannish. Even if those habits aren't being done toward a specific fandom, or I'm not applying them in a normal fandom way, I still can't help but associate those actions with fandom.
Granted, fandom isn't something I discovered on my own; a friend showed it to me. Looking back though, I realize that what I did before I discovered fandom is a lot like what I do now in fandom, I just did it on my own or else with RL friends on a smaller scale rather than online as part of a "fandom".
Those fannish behaviours and tendencies are a part of who I *am*. So even if I can turn the computer off, I can't turn the fan off inside of me.

This is why I wouldn't consider a way of life for me.
Thanks for explaining. I really liked your answer. I think I'm going to make another post about this later when I have a chance so I'm really glad you took the time to explain why. Because I think how people choose to interpret the term "Fandom as a way of life" is really a huge part of how they answer the question.

We've talked about this before, but I'm firmly in the hobby category. And I'll go one better: people in the way of life category (as I see them, not necessarily as they see themselves) scare me. There's a fine line between being active in fandom and obsessing over it and the closer people get to that line, the more uncomfortable I become.

Sorry -- meant to say congrats on the godmother bit, as well! :)

I'm going to have to write up a response post to this poll, I'm just getting side tracked with copyright stuff. Over on my IJ someone brought up a really pertinent question: What do I mean by fandom as a way of life? And I really think that's the definition that can make this such a heated topic.

I mean, obviously to you, if someone you didn't know said "Fandom is a way of life for me" you'd be really leary of them, because you find it scary. On the other hand, I think if people were voting in this poll under my definition for "fandom as a way of life" there would be a lot more votes for it. But really what I was hoping to get were more comments of what people think it means, that when things get interesting.

Quote:

But really what I was hoping to get were more comments of what people think it means, that when things get interesting.

Ah, sorry. I missed that in your post.

For

maekala it's a continuum and I think of it basically the same way, as more of a ratio. For me, the level of someone's fannishness depends on how much time, money, effort, and friendship effort they put into online vs. offline interaction. And I don't know exactly where the tipping point is, but it's probably like a weighted math equation. [insert Charlie-like explanation here]

I still think there's something underlying the two camps. I don't know if it's introversion/extraversion or something else, but there's a reason some people are more hesitant about fandom than others and I don't think it's all about not wanting to be one of those kinds of fans.

Interesting post! I really liked reading the comments.

Ah, sorry. I missed that in your post.
Ha, no you didn't. I just realized that was one of the things I was looking for when it started to come in. :P

For me, the level of someone's fannishness depends on how much time, money, effort, and friendship effort they put into online vs. offline interaction.
So, you think it's ok for someone to put a ton of time into fannish activities so long as they put a similar amount of time into their RL?

I don't know if it's introversion/extraversion or something else, but there's a reason some people are more hesitant about fandom than others and I don't think it's all about not wanting to be one of those kinds of fans.
I agree with you. It's not just about not wanting to be one of those fans. Actually, the more I think about it, I think that how people interpret that question helps tell them what side the fall on. For some, fandom means very little to them and certainly isn't any more than a hobby to them. To others fandom is *everything* to them. But for the most part, it's a mix for most people and I think that if you're someone who is able to see the phrase "Fandom is a way of life" and reflect on the ways fandom spills over into their lives without taking over it, well, they're probably the ones who are likely to choose that option.

Interesting post! I really liked reading the comments
We need to get our think-y caps back on, since the new season will be starting soon :)

Fandom IS a way of life. I am a fangirl, always have been, always will be. Back when I was a kid, I didn't know it. I didn't know that drawing fanart, writing fiction based on books, creating stories based on characters was doing fannish things. But it was irresistible to me and I love it and I loved connecting with other people who were fans. No I don't spend all my life and all day being in fandom, I have other interest but being a fan is who I am. I believe in the creativity, openmindedness, obsessing over your current fannish interests with others and the generosity of fandom.

And to those who think there's something weird or bad or unhealthy about that? Whatever. Fans have many times been thought of as freaks but it's amazing when you find people who see the world like you do even if it's as simple as loving a show or ship up to and including people who are similar in personality and/or see life the way you do.

*Word*

What I find most interesting about this poll, and I'm going to do another post to talk about all this, is how people are interpreting the phrase "fandom as a way of life". I think there's still that negative conentation, even amoung fans of "taking it too seriously". I think because the outside world still doesn't know that much about us (and what they do know about us seems to come from sci fi conventions from the 80s and the HP craze) and they think we're weird, other fans try and distance themselves be saying "I may be a fan, but *I* know where to draw the line" so they don't even think of what else the phrase could mean.

Certainly there are a lot of people in fandom who *do* find it's just a hobby, but I think if more people were to stop and think about it in our terms, there would be more in the "way of life" votes (although we were even for a while there, so I think that's promising).

I'm definitely a way of lifer. Some of my earliest memories are of tv shows and being read to. We play-acted Lost In Space, where I was always Judy because I had the best scream. I handed in fanfic and fannish plays as writing assignments for English class. I got into huge philosophical arguments over The Day Of The Triffids with my teacher when we studied it. I actually impressed her when I handed in a negative review for the book. *g*

The first book I bought with my own money was Star Trek 8. My first major purchase with my own money was a colour tv. The second was a video recorder.

When I worked, my holidays were planned around conventions. I worked on and con-commed conventions - both media and lit sf.

I simply have a fannish mind. I always have. It's the way I'm wired.

I simply have a fannish mind. I always have. It's the way I'm wired.
There are a couple features I think I'm noticing in people on both sides of the camp, but I get the feeling that a lot of people who put down "fandom as a way of life" are the people like you and me who have that fannish mind. Those of us who were acting fannish before we knew what fandom was. Those, who you could take fandom away, shut down the fanfic sites, stop the cons, and cut us off from each other but we would *still* be fans.
I didn't get into organized fandom until I was 18 but I know I've been a fan since I was 12. QaF was my first online fandom, bu Buffy was the show I was a fan of first. I would read the Buffy books, I would talk about it with my friends, I'd have day dreams where I was in the Buffy universe. Ever since I was 12, I've been a fan of something or other, be it TV shows or books. I don't see myself ever falling out of these behaviours. Even if I have to put my online stuff on hold, be it for days or years, I'll remain a fan.

I see it as something of a spectrum. For me, it is a way of life, but there are some people for whom it is so much *more* than just a way of life. Those are the ones that I find kinda creepy. But those are also the ones who call their friends at horrifying hours and roleplay yaoi (slash anime) seduction scenes to each other for *hours* at a time and don't let their roommates get a wink of sleep. *grumble*

I guess it just depends how much of your time you're willing to put into it and how worried you are of your fandom time becoming part of your serious time.

Those are the ones that I find kinda creepy. But those are also the ones who call their friends at horrifying hours and roleplay
Oh god, has that happened to you?

Also, randomly. I don't think we're having any luck meeting up for our SG-1 talk, I can never seem to get both of you online at that same time. I think I'm just going to do a write up and either post it here, or email it to you guys before we all forget what the eps were about :P
Then maybe next week we can get back on schedule with the next two eps. That ok with you?

Oh god, has that happened to you?
That was my last roommate...the one who finally convinced me that I'll never room with anyone again unless we're super compatible or unless it's with someone I'm sleeping with. And then the moving in part will only officially happen once we're *really* sure we're in it for the long haul.

That'll probably actually work better. I realized that I have class Thursday nights for the rest of July and completely forgot to tell y'all (cause I forgot myself). Although I hope we'll be able to get online every now and then just for the weirdness. Cause that was pretty fun.

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