Fanactivism

Tanya D. Zuk
 Bowling Alone

• Robert D. Putnam
– Many traditional civic,
social and fraternal
organizations had
undergone a massive
decline in membership.
– The social capital of
America is in decline.
• Transmedia for Social Change
• Center for Future Civic Media
– Anna Van Someren
• Fan Participation leads to engaged citizenry
– Joe Kahne
• Civic Life Online
– Stephen Coleman
 Participatory Culture
• There are relatively low barriers to artistic
expression and civic engagement
• There is strong support for creating and
sharing one’s creations
• There is some type of informal mentorship
• Members believe their contributions matter
• Members feel a social connection
 SOS - Save Our Show
• Chuck
– Finale & a Footlong
 SOS - Save Our Show
• Chuck
– Finale & a Footlong
• Jericho
– Nuts Campaign
 SOS - Save Our Show
• Chuck
– Finale & a Footlong
• Jericho
– Nuts Campaign
• Firefly
– Immediate Assistance
 SOS - Save Our Show
• Chuck
– Finale & a Footlong
• Jericho
– Nuts Campaign
• Firefly
– Immediate Assistance
• My So Called Life
– Operation… Life
Support
Fanactivism

• Racebending
– Aang Ain’t White
Fanactivism

• Racebender
– Aang Ain’t White
• Harry Potter Alliance
– Darfur
– Mass Equality
Fanactivism

• Racebender
– Aang Ain’t White
• Harry Potter Alliance
– Darfur
– Mass Equality
• Carrot Mob
– Environmental Capitalism
Fanactivism
• Racebender
– Aang Ain’t White
• Harry Potter Alliance
– Darfur
– Mass Equality
• Carrot Mob
– Environmental Capitalism
• Browncoats
– Equality Now
– Boys & Girls Club
 Helping Haiti Heal
• Cross-fandom activism
• Social Networking
• Multi-format Options
– Auctions
– Web-athons
– Celebrity Events
 Cross-Fandom
• Harry Potter
• Twilight
• The Wire
• House, M.D.
• Heroes
• True Blood
• Various Comics (click all that apply)
Mainstream
Media
• Picks up Social
Networking Sites
– Newsfeed
• Examiner
 Other examples?

Is Rotary dead?
Is fanactivism the wave of the
future?

What are the consequences of

fandom being so closely linked to
activism?