impala_chick | Snowflake 3: Love Letter to Fandom

nyctanthes posted this article called: Why on Earth Have I Seen the Same Broadway Show 13 Times? An Investigation. I love the sincere way the writer explores their own self-proclaimed insane behavior about the play. It was also fun how they discuss being in the theater with so many other mega-fans, and feeling a part of something.

That's the most important part! For me, fandom isn't just about falling in love with media. It's also being able to share that love in a sincere way and a safe way with other people. I think

muccamukk mentioned the philosophy of it in their post - when someone else says they see this particular aspect of the show/song/book the same way I do, HUZZAH! My perception of reality isn't totally fucked up! Or if it is, at least we can play pretend together :)

To that end, I'd like to say thank you to Supernatural fandom. For those peak years from 2005 to about 2010 or so, Supernatural fandom led me to all kinds of wonderful internet spaces. I used to tape episodes on VHS as they aired live, and then I rewatched them countless times. Probably more than 13 if I liked a particular episode :P My family definitely categorized that behavior as insane. There was definitely nobody I could talk about wincest with IRL, but the signs where there in the canon imo!! Posting recaps and dissecting tiny little details in canon became a jumping-off point for genuine conversations that were fun to be a part of. I started being much more creative while reading so much fic - and learning a lot about sexuality/gender in the process. Supernatural fandom also taught me a lot about internet etiquette - like how you don't have to get involved in discourse you don't agree with, you don't have to attack people who ship something different or write a kink you don't like. Because lucky for us, fandom spaces on the internet are a huge gathering place! I've always been able to find someone else who views my ship or my show the way I do (on Livejournal, but now on AO3 and DW and Tumblr), and I can just filter out all the rest. That's probably the number one reason fandom space feels so safe - I can curate my own experience and share my love with a particular piece of media with other people while being creative. And being creative makes my brain feel really great. So THANK YOU for being a part of that.

Of course there have been some people who have acted in bad faith throughout the years, so I also want to use this post to say I'm so grateful to everyone who moderates comms and exchanges! By enforcing fair rules, you make our community what it is. Thank you for giving me this space to just vibe and have a nice time with other fans ♥