Random Poll

[paraka]

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]

Comments

[ana-grrl.livejournal.com]

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.

Fandom

[paradise-city.livejournal.com]

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! :)

[anoel.livejournal.com]

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.

[munchkinofdoom.livejournal.com]

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.

[maekala.livejournal.com]

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.