This presentation explores how social media has enabled an accelerated affinity between fans online. Using the Harry Potter and international K-Pop fandoms as case studies, the video analyses how social media affordances have made their intense, emotional connection possible through the removal of previously-existing barriers.
Hi Savannah, great presentation! It was very informative and touched on a lot of relevant theories while remaining engaging. Below are some of my questions, all of which sort of connect together!
1. I thought it was great how you mention both Jenkins ‘Participatory Culture’ as well as Bruns ‘Produsage’. Your slides also discuss how fandoms earn influence rather than being appointed it through ‘fluid heterarchy.’ To what extent do you think that produsage actually removes traditional power structures, or are the hierarchies just reinvented, with the most followed and engaged with contributors perpetually holding the most power?
2. I really appreciated how you mentioned the ‘darker side’ of fandom and its links to the affective bonds, that was something I didn’t even think to include! My question is, if the architecture that builds solidarity is the same that allows fandoms to fracture, are fandoms ever really progressive and political? Could these fractures disrupt the development of genuine shared civic values and a collective identity, especially in a fandom as large as the Kpop fandom.
3. While social media affordances are frequently used by fandoms for good, such as the hijacking of the white supremacy hashtag, do you believe these lowered barriers and the irrational emotions of affective publics may pose a greater threat online in the future? And to what extent do you think the weaponising of fandoms on social media could be regulated to mitigate the mass harassments?
Thank you!
Leave a Reply