culture – Page 25 – Steven Savage

Civic Geek Catalog Update 11/15/2014

November 16, 2014 by Steven Savage

First of all, the Geek Catalog is now the Civic Geek Catalog AND it has it’s own website at CivicGeek.Com – still sorted by Geekery And Category – with more to come!

General

Culture
- Project: Courtesy And Consequences – A comics guide to promote proper conention behavior.

STEM

Environment
- Skeptical Science – A site dedicated to explaining the science of global warning. Always looking for help in donations or paper review.
General
- Engineering for Change – A community to connect engineers, governments, social scientists, and more to share knowledge and solve problems in a sustainable way.
- Engineers Without Borders Canada – A nonprofit Canadian organziation that supports sustainable community engineering projects around the world.
- Engineers Without Borders USA – A nonprofit US organziation that supports sustainable community engineering projects around the world.

Video Games

Academics
- Canadian Game Studies Association – A Canadian organization dedicated to interdisciplinary study of digital games.
- International Journal Of Computer Game Research – A non-profit, open-access, cross-disciplinary journal to publish and promote the studies of games. Open for donations as well!

Writing

Books
- Book Aid – Supports African Libraries with books and librarian training.
Literacy
- ProLiteracy – Focuses in safe, strong, sustainable socieities by building literacy around the globe with a variety of initiatives.
- Tracy and Clerenda McGrady Foundation – Founded by the NBA All-Star and his wife, the foundation focuses on multiple, world-wide literacy projects.

Fan I Am #7: Looking At Things With A Fandom Eye

November 14, 2014 by Steven Savage

Viewpoint Telescope

After having discussed fandom, its role, and fandom as a culture, I want to share an interesting lesson that came from this analysis. This . . . really long analysis.

We may question the primacy of fandom as identity for some people – I certainly do. I think fandom can serve as a primary part of identity for some people who are intimately involved in the relevant material, industries, and so on. I do think it’s not a good idea for people not so involved as they can become disconnected and unaware, investing time in something for social benefits but no other.

But the thing is that there are fandoms that we don’t think of fandoms.

And they can be just as empowering – and just as messed up as any anime fandom or group of band followers.

Let’s talk religion and Politics.*

Fan I am #5: Why Identify As A Fan

November 7, 2014 by Steven Savage

Book Shelf And More

So having thought about the kinds of fan, and why meltdowns occur, I keep wondering “why do people identify as fans so passionately?”

I mean in some ways it looks ridiculous to base part of your life on your love of Neon Genesis Evangelion*. Then you look at fanworks and giant conventions and fans turned pro and realize there’s something here. Fandom is a curious thing, and right when you wonder why the hell anyone would identify that way, you see something wonderful that makes you say “oh, I understand.”

However, as I noted, I think for many Fandom is more of a secondary identity than a primary. But why do people get so passionate? Why does it get so primary?