Still working in choice diversity. One way we can be different is in the way we spend our recreational time. Some people join fandoms for whatever it is they are interested in. This is an overview of fandom not in depth (because not enough time, it is a broad topic).
Defining fandom. There are two dictionary definitions required for fandom.
Fan: an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc. ("fan," n.d.)
Fandom: fans collectively, as of a motion-picture star or a professional game or sport. ("fandom," n.d.)
That is a very narrow definition of fandom. Fandoms extend to books, tv series, films, comics, video games, musical acts. Anything people congregate around has the potential to form a fandom. Some are more socially accepted than others. Sports, in particular, are seen as a social norm but a conventioneer faces (ever lessening) social stigma.
Fandom is important to libraries in this current age, so many books have developed fandoms famously the Harry Potter series but many others as well such as the Raven Boys, the Winners Circle or the more obscure Gemma Doyle trilogy. Libraries can be hubs for bringing people together is something that is at the heart of fandom. While the connection is obvious with books there are other fandoms the library can help, such as anime or manga fans or gamers or fans of an obscure sport.
We have the potential to help normalise what was for the longest time seen as abnormal, to tell people you are not alone. If you have a lot of fans of a given thing in your area invite them to use your library. Some libraries have manga/ anime clubs or just a pop culture club where people can join and chat all things “nerd”. For those that what to understand terminology there are plenty of references online or feel free to ask and I’ll explain as best I can.
I’m going to add two videos today one uses a fandom to discuss a concept the other talks about fandom as a concept.
Brit Garner discusses the psychological side of fandom. Questioning the healthiness of it, she does provide a definition of a and doesn’t limit to a specific type of fan. It is a useful video for the effects of fandom on a person.
Thomas Sanders created this video about fitting in/ standing out and risk using the Hogwarts Houses as a device, wandering into other fandoms along the way. It sounds more complicated than it is. What does need to be explained is Thomas Sanders has a whole series of these videos where he talks to sides of himself, Virgil (his anxiety), Logan (his logical thinking), Patton (his morality) and Roman (his creativity). There is another side in later episodes known a Deceit, for now, he’ll get a name later. This is just one-way fandoms can be used, just one example of a fan using his fan-ness to explain.
References
Chronicles of Nick. (n.d.). In Sherrilyn Kenyon. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from https://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/book-series/chronicles-of-nick/
fan. (n.d.). In Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/fan
fandom. (n.d.). In Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/fandom?s=t
Home. (n.d.-b). In The Winner's Trilogy. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://thewinnerstrilogy.com/
The Raven Cycle. (n.d.). In Maggie Stiefvater. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/the-raven-boys/
SciShow Psych. (2017, March 9). Are fandoms good or unhealthy obsessions? [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onxeBOnjWnU
Thomas Sanders. (2017, September 1). Fitting in (Hogwarts Houses!): Thomas Sanders. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soy5mOEXA2Q
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