Fan Culture @ Swarthmore

This is a fan reinterpretation of the “Get a Life” skit that Jenkins mentions. Is this a vid? Someone please define “vid” for me. Anyway, interesting, that our definition of fandom is beginning to include many of those things that William Shatner would arguably have considered part of the “life” that his fans were supposed to “get.”

Here is the “uncut” sketch:

Going off our discussion in class today, I’ve been thinking about fandom of inanimate objects. Ariel’s point about the importance of narrative in fandom is well-taken but still, what about food? This sounds ridiculous but can someone be considered a “fan” or food or a particular type of food? The knowledge of some wine “connoisseurs” about the intimate details of French vineyards rivals that an X-men fans knowledge of different characters and backstories. Plenty of people devote considerable amounts of time and energy learning about differences that completely escape the causual wine drinker. People will travel from vineyard to vineyard tasting different wines in the company of other wine connoisseurs (indeed there are trips you can take that tour several vineyards in a day in Napa Valley, CA). Is this comraderie based on wine that different from the conventions of Harry Potter fans? I would argue that there is no real difference between a “fan” and a “connoisseur” beyond the mental connatation attached to the different words. Both have an extensive knowledge of a subject, beyond what in necessary for basic enjoyment, and a group of people and culture that supports and shares their interests. Any thoughts?

That’s freaky. Although the goatee makes a big difference — I didn’t think John Hurt looked like Sir Ian at all in V for Vendetta, for example.

So, this is the most absurd fannish thing I’ve seen on YouTube lately…

Yes, that hobo does go "zzz...b-ball...zzz".

For the record, the way I embedded the video was to click "media" under the "code" tab when writing the post and input the URL.

hey guys-

just wanted to let you know that i reserved the mccabe family room. (i’m pretty sure that the room is on the third floor, but i don’t remember where it is exactly.)

we can meet downstairs in the library and walk up together at 8:00. or if you may be running a few minutes late then just come on up – i’ll try to start the film by 8:10.

- lo.