'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?

[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.)

[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.