Last week Bonnie noticed that there's a mangaka cafe in Japan – a cafe with the usual food, drinks, and internet, but also spaces and resources for artists to work in. Of course, you know me – I had to speculate on if this might be a good idea in the United States/North America.
Culture
Fans, Geeks, And Obligatory Support
As I was reading different reactions to the Scott Pilgrim film, I saw the usual exhaustion in comments at io9 (http://io9.com/5600262/scott-pilgrim-is-an-epic-for-the-nintendo-generation). Some people were annoyed, but there was also a sense by some that they were almost obligated to support a geeky film, even one that is a near geek-singularity.
That made me think about the recent idea that Geeks are pulling Hollywood's strings (http://www.popmatters.com/pm/article/129492-the-geeks-are-pulling-hollywoods-strings-right-now-and-thats-not-a-g/) – something I don't agree with, but I feel the author of this article has twigged on that something is up in the media. There's some fusion of what is fannish/nerdy/geeky and Hollywood and major media companies that seems a bit . . . off.
Me, I think these two articles are related. Why? Because they they hit on the fact that there's this "current of support" for a lot of recent media ventures – a support that seems to be in some ways, obligatory. I feel this sense of Obligatory Support is real, and is a factor that will affect us culturally and professionally.
Have you ever joked you're obligated to buy a game (I have – Final Fantasy XIII). Have you ever watched a series because it was from a genre you supported? Did you go to a Harry Potter release party . . . because?
You're starting to see where I'm going.
The Lessons Of Fandom: Courage
Your fandom lets you develop business sense, a sense of customer service, and entrepreneurship. If you think I'm done talking about the professional advantages of your hobbies, it won't surprise you that I'm not done yet.
Fandom teaches you courage.
That may sound strange to some people – until you think about what fandom actually involves.