a fan of accomplishment who is not merely "well known" but "well liked" throughout the microcosm.

See, I thought being feared and despised was part of being a BNF.

I think the definition of BNF has mutated some since the move to LJ, frankly.

When I was first in internet-based fandom, there were the fans, and there were the so-called "divas", who were perceived as self-important, faux-friendly, and above the masses.

Realspace fandom has been using the term BNF for yonks, and Nutty can probably correct me, but I think since at least the 50s. Referred mostly to fans who put together cons and zines, you know: the folks who did the infrastructure work that held the fandom together. I don't believe it had any negative connotation (I could be wrong about this).

After the rise of LJ, "BNF" showed up in internet fandom, and it almost instantly had a negative connotation. A BNF was someone who was well-known but that some people didn't like, and one was supposed to deny BNF-dom if accused of it.

Now I think it carries both meanings: can be neutral, can be negative.

See, I thought being feared and despised was part of being a BNF

Well, by whom? I can't think of one person on line who is universally liked. I always figured it was sort of like you guys, please don't hurt me, for although there is fear, I do not despise, nor is this said with any derision people who were well known, because they wrote, and got read by many, and talked at panels, and ran sites, etc.

Is fandom an anarchistic meritocracy?

My fandom is an anachronistic meritocracy. Shoot. Now I want an LJ icon that says that.

But it was never true that "BNF" means "universally liked" or even "well liked". Being a Big Name has always made you a target for envy, or more likely to become a jerk, depending on which side of the Name you're looking from.

I've always thought of BNFdom as being a measure of what's been contributed to a fandom, and how much notice those contributions got. I've written a few short fics and made some LJ icons; I don't qualify. The people who build websites, organize fundraisers, and write popular (and, more importantly, *good*) fic are BNFs.

I've been a Big Name Fan for a few portions of my involvement in fandom. I'm felt despised and pitied, but the only time I ever thought that envy came into play was an incident within the Firefly fandom, and my lack of tact contributed greatly.

The Wonderfalls cancellation was where I think I regained some sense that I didn't need to tilt at windmills in order to feel some sense of respect, or in a desperate bid for attention from my heroes.

I never got involved in fic, it's a whole unknown variable in fandom to me. The reason is that I can't write it. If I can't be a rock star, I don't get involved. For someone with such low self-esteem, I have a hugely over-inflated ego.

I have very little history of being any kind of fan, so this probably has very little value in terms of generally recognized definitions. Having said that, my perceptions of BNFs is that they work their butts off, tend to be a little insecure, but are generally nice to other, lesser fans, and don't necessarily perceive them as lesser.

Speaking as one with absolutely no pretensions of being even an Average Fan, I know that I occasionally have some envy, of a fairly innocuous sort. But, and this is important, it is mixed with a lot of appreciation for all the work they do. For a variety of reasons, including location, I realize that I am not willing to put the amount of effort into fandom that is probably required to become a BNF. So, while I do sometimes get a few twinges of jealousy when a BNF drops a funny story about their evening with someone, like, say, Tim Minear, or with another BNF such as Nilly, mostly I am just thankful for their willingness to share the story, and for all the efforts they make to ensure that people like me have some access, however limited.

As an aside, I think it's funny, too, that for me, the twinges of jealousy have diminished with time on buffistas, as I start to feel a part of this community. I noticed this especially with Nillyfest. I wish that I could have taken part personally, but I feel included by the wonderful stories that have been posted. My jealousy has been replaced by all sorts of warm fuzzies. It's really amazing to me how the folks on this board are able to combine biting snark with being so...nice.

Is fandom an anarchistic meritocracy?

I think so. The merit seems to be based on dedication combined with a lot of work, intelligence and people skills, which is interesting, because I think that often fandom attracts people who lack in at least one of those areas. When I think of BNFs on buffistas, I think of people like Nilly and Allyson. Both are self-deprecating, but show a lot of skill in writing and working with people, as well as a willingness to devote a great deal of time and energy, as is evidenced by what they have accomplished here.

The term Big Name Fan certainly goes back to the '50s and probably earlier. Back in the dark ages of my youth, in the era of mimeograph machines and dinosaurs, it described people who were well known for editing and writing fanzines; publishing small press books; filking; putting on conventions and the like. BNFs could be hated or loved.

I wrote 'zines back in the day. Pre-Buffy. I shared ownership of a Queercore 'zine called Suburban Backlash. Bad photocopies at Staples, a PO Box for trading, going 50/50 with local record shop owners to sell them. I wonder if I can even find any traces of it on google...

ETA: HA! One lonely review on a dead site:

Review of issues #2 - Chloe and Ari get right to the point and stick it in your face. Chloe is a smoker and damn proud of it and gives a good rant on why ant-smokers should shut up. The also have CD, show and zine reviews through-out the issue. Chloe gives us a guide to zine etiquette that is right on the money. There is a "literary" section with poetry ands anovel excerpt from Ari called 'Trollops.' and 'A Day in the Life of a Suburban Backlash Staff Member' which is quite true for any zine. This is another zine with more going for it than alot of other zines. The writing and subject matter are so diverse that there is simething for everyone. Check them out at their web site for a peek.

So, are you Chloe or Ari?