Fandom
Fandom (from the noun
fan and the affix
-dom, as in
kingdom,
dukedom, etc.) is a
subculture composed by like-minded
fans (aficionados) characterized by a feeling of closeness to others who share the same interest (Thorne&Bruner 2006). Such a
community of keen aficionados can share a common interest in a wide selection of phenomena, such as
authors,
hobbies,
genres or
fashions. Fandom as a term can also be used to refer to the single interconnected
social network of these individual fandoms, many of which overlap. While the term is applied to social networks surrounding many
novelty interests, it has its roots in appreciation for
science fiction.
Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the object of their fandom; this is what differentiates them from those with only casual interest.
The objects of a fandom typically relate to the arts, sports or entertainment. For example, it would be unusual to refer to an accountant who is very interested in the details of accounting as a "fan" of accounting.
The plural
fen is often self-applied in science fiction and related fandoms. This is an example of fannish
jargon.
Members of a fandom associate with one another, often attending
fan conventions (such as
science fiction conventions), and publishing and exchanging
fanzines. Today, these communities are often online, especially for less well-known source material. Some fans also write
fan fiction, stories based around the universe and characters of their chosen fandom. Some also dress in
costumes ("
cosplay") or recite lines of
dialogue either out-of-context or as part of a group
reenactment. Such activities are sometimes known as "fanac," an abbreviated form of the phrase "fan activity."
The term "fandom" is particularly associated with fans of the science fiction and
fantasy genres, a community that dates back to the
1930s and has held the
World Science Fiction Convention since
1939. The
Oxford English Dictionary traces the usage of the term back as far as 1903, with many of its documented references referring to sports fandom.
The term is also commonly associated with anime/manga. Serious fans of this subject are also called
otaku.
"Fandom" is also the name of a
documentary /
mockumentary about a fan obsessed with
Natalie Portman.
Fanac is an abbreviation for "fan activity" which arose within
science fiction fandom. It consists of such activities as editing
zines, writing
fanfic, attending
cons and
cosplay.
*
Fanboy*
Fan fiction*
Fanposter*
Furry fandom*
Harry Potter fandom*
Otaku (anime fandom)*
Science fiction fandom*
Shipping*
Tolkien fandom*
Trekdom*
Trekkie (Star Trek fandom)*
Tomb Raider*
Scott Thorne,
Gordon C. Bruner, Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 2006, Volume: 9, Issue: 1,
online*
Fandom is... - A well-known piece of musings trying to define "fandom", by "hesychasm" on
LiveJournal
