one is to throw bones to the fans so they feel pleased with themselves, without actually contributing to the quality of the product (continuity nods that don't add to the story, but make you feel all cool for noticing)

I would correct to say "nods that don't add to the plot, or possibly even themes," rather than the story itself; I tend to think the continuity nods and other internal allusions add to the story by creating a sense of depth and history to the fictional world under construction.

Thanks for clearing that up...well, kinda.

I tend to think the continuity nods and other internal allusions add to the story by creating a sense of depth and history to the fictional world under construction.

My interpretation had been that a fanwank was one that didn't even do that -- otherwise it'd have a nicer name. Just something to make me feel all special in my obsessiveness.

But what's the difference between a continuity nod that adds depth and a continuity nod that's a shout-out besides the viewer's perception of it? Before I started reading the Buffistas, it never even occurred to me that continuity nods might be meant as a dialogue.

"ita moon" is a fanwank in the "nod to the fans" sense, but it's not a continuity detail. I just don't tend to think continuity is gratuitous.

Continuity, like sex, is never gratuitous. But I know what ita means. Like continuity is that Oz's band was still Dingoes. Little fannish details like Will taking the Dingoes poster to college? Fanwank. Cause I appreciated it, but I wouldn't have missed it, right?

I've never heard fanwank used to mean small continuity details/shoutouts to the fans, but it could be I'm just not paying attention.

Little fannish details like Will taking the Dingoes poster to college?

No, that I think is a character note for Willow.

But sometimes (so of course my mind is blank) it's a "Aren't we clever! We remembered! You're clever too, because you noticed!" and that's what I'm thinking off.

Now I just have to think of an example.

I don't interpret shoutouts as wanks.

I don't interpret shoutouts as wanks.

Neither do I. "ita moon" is a shoutout but not a fanwank. It's performed by the producers, not the fans.

Fanwanks are by fans. Continuity nods are by producers. They may overlap in content, however.

Fanwanks are by fans.

So the other definition I mentioned above isn't one you've come across?

one is to throw bones to the fans so they feel pleased with themselves, without actually contributing to the quality of the product

That one? I've never seen that called a fanwank. Something like a shoutout, or a nod to the fans, but not a fanwank.

Given the etymology of 'wank', I would think fanwank is something that fans do to themselves. That's also the usage I've seen, primarily. Either they do the handwavey explanation of a point of canon, or they work themselves into a tizzy in an interfan kerfuffle. Either way, it's produced by fans for fans.