I love reading about people's experiences with fandom. I met a new acquaintance the other day. We got to talking about what we liked to read, and quickly discovered that we were both involved in online fandom. She asked, "What are your fandoms?" and I really wasn't sure what to say. I ended up saying Buffy/Angel/Firefly, largely because of my participation on this board. I found this group of people through Buffy, and even though that's not the main reason I've stayed, it still informs how I think of this group. It's a common ground for us--although that becomes less true the longer Buffy has been off the air.

But I'm not just a fan of Joss Whedon's shows. I'm a fan of LOTR, and Sports Night, and HP, and Queer as Folk, and Lost. I watch those shows, read those books, read some fanfic, talk about them with my friends here and on LJ, along with dozens of other fannish topics that come and go (ah, Smallville, how fondly I remember you). But I don't necessarily self-identify as belonging to HP fandom or QaF fandom, and I don't know exactly where the line is in my head. I've never been to a con for anything, or spent a ridiculous amount of money on anything fandom-related, nor do I read or write much fic anymore, so that wouldn't make the difference.

Probably what it comes down to is community. I'm a part of the Buffy fandom because it's why I'm here. I know the people (in my little corner of the fandom, anyway), I remember the kerfuffles. I travelled through Australia staying with local Buffistas, and Min introduced me to Firefly when it was shiny and new. (Oh, and I identify as belonging to Firefly fandom, but not as a Browncoat. *shrug*) Generally speaking, Buffy people are my people.

You could argue people should seperate out the community aspect from fandom itself, defining the hardcore fans as the fandom base, and the community as the incidental people who join in more for the community. I'm not sure that analogy hangs together, though.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it doesn't, since it looks like you're saying that the hardcore fans... aren't part of the community? Also, I dispute the wisdom of arguing that people "should" think a certain way about fandom. In my head, fandom and community are intertwined, and I don't see any benefit to me changing that way of thinking.

Once more, Kate is me.

Okay, I'ma just follow her around and nod and point, okay?

t smooches Bev

Kate, that's just a point of view, and it's not something I agree with myself. I think the community aspect is actually one of the main draws of fandom. People WANT to be surrounded by like minded people they can relate to, make friends with and more. And to some people that aspect is more important than the thing that brings them.

I'm not telling people what they "should" think in any way, shape or form. The entire thing which kicked this off was the suggestion that's it's impolite to link to something without checking with the person first. I disagree - I think once something is online, it's fair game.

I like people who challenge my opinions of things. This is why I like Allyson. I don't agree with her sometimes, but that's the point.

Hmm, just stopped and thought about online friendships for a bit. My four closest friends are people I met in grade school (best friend) and high school, but outside that small group the majority of my friends are people I met through Buffy fandom either in this community, at the Bronze, or other odd locations. You guys have supplanted my RPG gamer geek friends from high school and college, whom I've largely lost touch with.

Yay! (smooches back)

...Nothing to see here. Move along.

The entire thing which kicked this off was the suggestion that's it's impolite to link to something without checking with the person first. I disagree - I think once something is online, it's fair game.

And what I'm saying -- and probably repeating myself to the point of making other people want to throw guacamole at me -- is that you're applying a general principle to a specific board. You didn't know that shrift was a Buffista. Fine. But when it was pointed out to you, you insisted that it wasn't a problem, rather than admitting it might be poilte to consult with a fellow boardmember who hosts those review for our convenience.

Hmm, just stopped and thought about online friendships for a bit. My four closest friends are people I met in grade school (best friend) and high school, but outside that small group the majority of my friends are people I met through Buffy fandom either in this community, at the Bronze, or other odd locations. You guys have supplanted my RPG gamer geek friends from high school and college, whom I've largely lost touch with.

This is me, although I've also kept in touch with a number of my college friends (none of them are/were RPG people though).

Kevin, how do you feel about hotlinking, or reposting someone else's words? Do you believe in netiquette, and do you believe it varies from place to place?