'fanwank' is the new black

[freckles_and_doubt]

Very interesting post from Henry Jenkins, reproducing an interview with Matt Hills (another cultural/fandom critic whose work, particularly his book Fan Cultures, I rather enjoy) about the new Doctor Who series. Serieses. Whatever. Hills argues that the new seasons (hah! that works better) are basically institutionalised fan documents which both reproduce and critique elements of the old.

I am so on the wrong continent.

Now I have to go and explain the geek jokes in Charles Stross's "Lobsters" to a bunch of third-year English students who use the Internet to plagiarise essays and send e-mail. List of concepts to explain: "open source"; "slashdot"; "bluetooth"; "AI". Possibly also "bandwith", "instant messenger" and, who knows, "internet".

Comments

[wolverine-nun.livejournal.com]

Which is the correct continent? (Sorry, don't know my critics.) And which country on it?

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

Henry Jenkins is at MIT, Hills is in England. Any continent other than here, seems to be the short answer :>. Even Australia has a vibrant pop cultural/critical scene.

[mcatzilut.livejournal.com]

Wow. Your students - pardon me - sounds like idiots. Is this course Lovecraft Cyberpunk for Non-Majors? (Of course, not *all* institutions give degrees in Post-Gibson Studies.)

[extemporanea.livejournal.com]

Nope, it's science fiction for English majors studying postmodernism. I am, of course, exaggerating for effect about their levels of computer suss, but generally I've found Humanities students have very little concept of the Internet in technical terms, and none at all of it as a culture (which is, to me, its most interesting aspect). Spirited discussion yesterday about DRM, freedom of information and, IIRC, BoingBoing. They know more now than they did 24 hours ago.

[herne-kzn.livejournal.com]

Enjoy HBD. After reading that Jenkins post I must now 1) watch some Dr Who and b) work the phrase "continuity porn" seamlessly into a conversation.