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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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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 :)

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