On Fan Media

On Fan Media

AB26/09/13

Define fandom
"Fandom" is a modern slang for the word fanatics. A fandom is a group of people whom shares high enthusiasm and strong passion towards a particular subject- a group of fans. For instance, Harry Potter fandom is called "Potter heads", One Directions fandom is called "One Directioners". They are both social and culturally constructed. 


​Define participatory culture

Activities which fans perform to engage with their fandom varies. People form online communities on social media platforms with those whom are also a fan of their interests. The most popular medium which they use is Tumblr. Individual blogs can be created where each person can share their thoughts and opinions about the latest trend regarding the show. It's a great method for fans to communicate to one another and nourish their leisure. 


Define Web 2.0
Web 2.0 is is the newly developed Internet. Unlike web 1.0, the development of this version had allow users to share their own texts. Web 2.0 is more socially interactive as social networking platforms have emerged, allowing multiple of conversations between everyone in the world. This probably its most celebrated feature. 




In 2008 Henry Jenkins argued that “Web 2.0 was fandom without the stigma.” Explain what you think he meant by this.
Before the growth of fandoms, websites such as YouTube and Wikipedia contained logical and rational informations. However, due to the expanding culture of fandoms; it had also become a device for fans to use to express themselves through creating their own texts. For instance: fans edit videos and musics to create their own work- which in someways complicates the ownership of the original work. They do this to show their enthusiasm and because it had become a hobby. Nowadays, texts on websites varies from educational, factual, informative to leisure. This development had of course been used by companies to their own advantage, using it as a way to market their products. Take VEVO channel as an example, music industry conglomerates- The Big 4 (Universal, EMI, Sony BMG and Warner Music Group) had collaborated with VEVO and YouTube to create channels in which they can advertise their artists new single, album and upcoming tours. The function of the YouTube channel allowing fans to share the video globally on other media platform by pasting the link or by embedding them. Over the years it had then become part of the fandoms nature- to share and recreate videos of their subject; effectively advertising it.




What is the relationship between fans and Web 2.0? 
Web 2.0 had become a great way for fans to cultivate. As I explained earlier, by having social platforms in which fans can come together to share their enthusiasm, it had made their interest for that thing even more enjoyable as they have others whom they can share this with; who is equally passionate. Fans creates texts such as: fan videos, fanfics (their own stories about how they would have like the show to have panned out), fanart (arts based on the subject), maninps (short for photo-manipulation) and shares it on the web so others can enjoy and "fangirl" over them. Fandoms are number one example of prosumers.