Fandoms and Their Place in the World.
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Fandoms and Their Place in the World.

Safe Places, or Toxic Warzones?

82
Fandoms and Their Place in the World.
Pinterest

Thirty years ago, if you liked a movie, TV show, or a book you had to hope that your friends and family also partook in it so that you could discuss it with them. Nowadays you can simply search it up and scroll through what potentially thousands of people have to say about it in their fandoms.

Fandom: though the word hasn't existed long, what it describes has. One could argue that fandoms have existed since early civilizations, but this article focuses on fandoms in the modern era. For those of you who aren't internet slang savvy, fandom refers to any group of people who like and talk about virtually anything, although most fandoms center on pieces of media (TV shows, movies, books, etc.). The term can, in theory, be applied to anything so long as people like and discuss the thing, they are ,in general, ambiguous things, but for the sake of this article we shall focus on media based fandoms. You'll find hundreds of blogs dedicated to pictures of a certain celebrity, styles of architecture, and other specific things that you've never thought about how much you like. One doesn't even have to like the piece of media in question, or consume said media to be a part of the fandom. The only thing that qualifies one to be in a fandom is to know about the piece of media and peruse fan made content of it. For example, the popular first person shooter game, Overwatch, has a very large fandom but not everyone in it plays the game itself. They may have seen fan art or a game clip, and decided to look up more.

Fan content is what drives the economy of a fandom. Fanart and fanfiction (fan made fiction of the piece) are the proverbial king and queen of fandoms, but there are many different ways fans show their love or interest. There are long discussions of a character, a specific scene, and sometimes even one line a character says that merits a debate on the internet. There are headcanons: stuff fans think about certain characters. They can range from a character being LGBT, being autistic, certain behavioral quirks they may have, to little things a character might do, like a hobby. Anything that isn't explicitly said or denied in the piece of media itself is up for fans to decide.

Photo edits, screenshots of cool or important parts, quotes, and memes based on certain parts also shape a fandoms economy, but perhaps the most important aspect of most fandoms is shipping. Shipping refers to a person wanting two or more characters to be in a relationship, or shipping them. Most ships are of a romantic nature but occasionally there are ships founded on wanting characters to simply be friends. From ships come fan art (from not-safe-for-work to soft fluffy pieces), fanfics, and headcanons about what they might do as a couple. Indeed, one can argue that fandoms largely revolve around their ships.

Ships certainly cause the most conflict within a fandom, otherwise known as “discourse.” Often times you'll find people arguing over which ships are original, unoriginal, don't make sense, and if they have any problematic aspects. These are dramatically named “shipping wars.” While most of the time it mostly involves honest discussions, shipping wars can take a dark turn with personal insults and death threats, and with the anonymity the internet provides, the opportunity for malicious behavior is abundant.

This sets a negative image of the fandom, and sometimes the piece of media itself.

This is simultaneously the best and worst thing about being in fandoms. The only thing you have in common with these people is the fact that you know and talk about this thing; besides that, nothing is guaranteed. It allows you to hear the thoughts of people very different from you on the same thing you enjoy. Someone whose race, ethnicity, sexuality, religious beliefs, physical and mental conditions, are different than yours commenting on the same thing you enjoy can broaden your view on the work, and hopefully your worldview on a whole.

Of course, one has to take into account that racists, homophobes, xenophobes, transphobes, and other various bigots also exist in these fandoms and bring with them negative fan content in this space. And unless you have the means to take away their ability to post said content in your fandom space, there's nothing you can do besides block them, and try to avoid their content.

I posit however, that the goodness that fandoms can garner far outweighs any negativity they may foster. They allow people to discuss, share, and discover new ideas about their favorite characters. They serve as a space for people to show their love of something in creative and passionate ways. And perhaps most importantly, they let people know that they aren't alone in their love of said thing or a character.

Anything that does all that, can't be all that bad.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53598
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34480
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956968
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181678
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments