Degrees of Fandom: Authenticity & Hierarchy in the Age Of
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DEGREES OF FANDOM: AUTHENTICITY & HIERARCHY IN THE AGE OF MEDIA CONVERGENCE By Michelle L. McCudden Submitted to the graduate degree program in Communication Studies and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Chairperson: ________________________________ Dr. Nancy Baym (Chairperson) Committee Members ________________________________ Dr. Mary Lee Hummert ________________________________ Dr. Yan Bing Zhang ________________________________ Dr. Dave Tell ________________________________ Dr. Sherrie Tucker Date defended: ________________________________ September 30, 2011 ii The Dissertation Committee for Michelle L. McCudden certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: DEGREES OF FANDOM: AUTHENTICITY & HIERARCHY IN THE AGE OF MEDIA CONVERGENCE Chairperson: ________________________________ Dr. Nancy Baym (Chairperson) Date approved: ________________________________ iii Abstract Although interest in fandom studies have grown in recent decades, there remain core issues that are under-addressed, including attempts to theorize about fandom in a general way (as opposed to focusing on individual communities) and the influence of transmedia elements on existing fan structures and hierarchies. This study explored the ways that fans engage with particular texts and the ways that they engage with one another. Specifically, it considered (1) what it means to be an “authentic” fan, (2) how hierarchies are established within and between fan communities, and (3) the impact that the changing nature of mediated storytelling has on both authenticity and hierarchy. A combination of 25 in-depth semi-structured interviews and participant observation in both an online (TelevisionWithoutPity.com) and offline (Comic-Con International) setting were used to explore these issues. This study uncovered the following: (1) a continuum of fandom, ranging from the non-fan or casual fan at one extreme to the “too big” fan at the other, with several variants on the levels of fandom in between. Participants indicated that there was a point at which one’s fandom can become “too big” or go “to far” and the behaviors associated with that level of fandom are less desirable; (2) participants identified several markers used to decide the size of one’s fandom: cost, effort exerted, socializing, knowledge, and quoting. Within fan communities, participants pointed to official authority, investment, cultural capital and social capital as means of hierarchy creation. Between fan communities, divisions were established in one of three ways. Participants either differentiated between communities based on the object of fandom itself, based on the behavior of fans common to that group, or based on the medium applicable to that community. Demographic markers such as age and gender were applicable both when iv referring to the status within fan communities and between them. In keeping with common stereotypes outside fandom, women and young people were commonly highlighted as belonging to lower-status fandoms or engaging in behavior seen as less desirable; (3) participants presented both positive attributes of multiplatform media content or critiques of it or a combination thereof. This research contributes to fandom studies in three ways: (1) by suggesting that hierarchies do indeed exist, and that preferred placement within them is variable, (2) by focusing on multiple, diverse fan communities, as opposed to singular fandoms or communities related to them, and (3) by introducing a sliding scale of levels of fandom on which one can map and access fan behavior and activity, a concept new to the field. It also contributes to Bourdieu’s theory of capital by establishing that social capital played a significant role in hierarchy construction. v Acknowledgements I would first like to thank my advisor, Dr. Nancy Baym, for her guidance throughout my academic career. Your influence, support and mentorship have been invaluable. The role you have played in this work, my development as a scholar, and my career has been immeasurable and I continue to look to you and your work as an inspiration. To my committee members Dr. MaryLee Hummert, thank you for your kindness and encouraging words; Dr. Yan Bing Zhang, thank you for your friendship and feedback; Dr. Dave Tell, thank you for your thoughtful insights; and Dr. Sherrie Tucker, thank you for your enthusiasm and spirit in all that you do. I could not have completed this work without you all. To my dear friends, Racheal, Makiko, and Astrid, I cannot thank you enough for your emotional support through what proved to be a long and arduous task. Your kind words and ability to listen to me moan for hours on end without complaint were instrumental in getting through this process without losing my mind completely. And to the friends who have been there for me throughout, even from hundreds of miles away: Janet, Tom, Mark, Erin, Mary, and Liz, thank you so much for keeping me somewhat sane. To my family, especially Mom, Dad, Mike, Loretta, Lee: your unwavering belief that I am able to accomplish anything has propelled me to where I am today. Prioritizing education and knowledge from a very young age gave me the foundation and motivation to pursue the dream of completing a Ph.D. and I cannot thank you all enough. Thank you as well to the O’Keefes. Your interest and support of my work have meant so much. vi And finally, to my husband, Jack O’Keefe, I could not have done this without you, in the most literal sense of that phrase. Your encouragement and understanding, even when I was impossible to live with, has meant so much and has made all the difference. I am looking forward to many relaxing and work-free weekends with you for years to come. vii Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 Purpose................................................................................................................................ 2 Outline of Project................................................................................................................ 4 Chapter 2: Literature Review.......................................................................................... 6 Fandom ............................................................................................................................... 6 Fan communities............................................................................................................. 7 Hierarchy. ....................................................................................................................... 8 Bourdieu and capital....................................................................................................... 9 Taste and capital........................................................................................................... 12 Fan activity. .................................................................................................................. 13 Authenticity in fan communities.................................................................................... 22 Fan Identity. ...................................................................................................................... 25 Fannish dispositions. .................................................................................................... 26 Fandom in the Age of Media Convergence. ..................................................................... 27 Chapter 3: Methods ........................................................................................................ 30 Research Site 1: Comic-Con International ....................................................................... 31 Research Site 2: TelevisionWithoutPity.com ................................................................... 33 Data Collection and Coding.............................................................................................. 35 Ethical Considerations ...................................................................................................... 40 Chapter 4: RQ1 Results.................................................................................................. 42 Fan Authenticity................................................................................................................ 42 Authentic fan. ................................................................................................................ 43 True fan......................................................................................................................... 44 Big fan........................................................................................................................... 46 Casual fan. .................................................................................................................... 49 The continuum of fandom.............................................................................................. 53 Summary........................................................................................................................... 59 Chapter 5: RQ2 Results.................................................................................................. 60 Fandom Markers & Hierarchy Creation ........................................................................... 60 Markers of fandom.......................................................................................................