Now what am I going to do with my life?

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My imitation of Wolcott article

 The Rise of the Internet and Participatory Culture

Without a doubt, the Internet is the place to be nowadays. Everything you could possibly covet, you can find on the Internet. Want to watch the latest movies? Sure, just Google the titles, and you can find a site to either watch them right there or download them. Missed your favorite television show? You can watch it immediately, no waiting necessary. The Internet has changed how I, and everyone, interact with media. This is a vital aspect of participatory culture (also known by the less cultured term ‘fandom’). When there is no delay, fans can discuss their favorite shows, movies, books, or any number of other things instantaneously with other fans.

            The only thing that makes this possible is the Internet being the great equalizer, allowing anyone to access what had previously only been available to the few, as long as you know where to look. Premium cable channels, such as HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime, are expensive and frivolous, out of reach of many, from college kids to working class families. But with the Internet, anyone can find and watch those shows that the critics rave about and all your friends and fellow fans are posting about on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. Why buy what you can watch for free?

            However, let me make it clear that I am not advocating stealing. I try to buy the DVD sets of shows I support when they are released, but I just can’t buy the subscription to the cable channel, especially if I only want the channel to watch one thing a week. I know other fans do the same thing. Many fans are young, high school and college aged students, who either cannot get or afford a premium cable channel, but do have Internet access and can afford items such as DVDs, and save up for months or even years to attend conferences. Fandom exists mainly on the Internet, and it allows for fans to get involved in fandoms and support the show or movie they would otherwise not have liked or known about had it not been for the participatory culture.

            The Internet allows for young fans to access things they otherwise would not have access to, and get involved in the fandoms, and then support the texts that the fandoms revolve around. As long as fans support the canonical texts, a little piracy should be allowed, as it spreads the fandom and increases its popularity.

Come up with one observation, question, or commentary for your reflection based on the issue of gender, sexuality, or other “controversial” topics that we should discuss in class (with regards to fandom) and why you think your commentary/question/observation would help further the conversation.

I think an important issue that I do not really understand, but that I want to discuss, is the spectrum of gender and sexuality. There are some terms and topics that I have come across, a little in my own fandom, but more often in other fandoms that I come across. I think it is important to discuss these terms and things because I know that there are probably other people in our class who also do not understand. I admit to having a little bit of a sheltered upbringing and I am very innocent when it comes to sex and sexuality. I thought the acronym LGBT covered it all, but apparently there is more than that. And then we can discuss why all of this comes up in the fandom community, and why it is not discussed outside of it much. I know some of my classmates are addressing this question to some extent in the wikispace, so perhaps I will be enlightened from that. If not, I will be doing more research and discussing it outside of class, since there is not really any class time left to do any discussing.

As this semester is ending and things are due, I am finally checking to see what I have actually posted and things I only thought I posted. So here is my backlog of posts from my senioritis-engulfed brain. Hence the late reflections I am posting now. Sorry for the crazy number of posts coming.

The survey results I received for my ethnography were few. Only five members of the fandom answered my questions. The answers I received said that three of them do not write fanfics, so only two do. The ones that do write fanfiction also primarily write for other fandoms, and not the Cal Leandros fandom. Thus, it is apparent that producers do not make up a majority of the fandom, but that consumers do. This also says that it is also not necessary for fans to produce work in order to be considered as part of the fandom.

As to why I only received a few responses, it is not a large fandom, and answering survey questions takes time and effort. But I was still able to use these responses well in my ethnography and I really appreciate the people who did respond.

I am fangirling so hard right now. I won one of the British copies of Moonshine that Rob Thurman was giving out on Twitter! So excited! I actually won something!