Fans are seen by many people as lonely individuals that spend their time obsessing about “childish” interests and being chronically online. However, fandoms are an easy way to meet new people and make friends.
Many fans who took part in our survey affirm that their social skills have been improved since they started in the world of fandoms.
Fan communities can be found all over the internet, where millions of people gather every day to talk about their interests with others who share their passions. This is a very easy to meet new people. Just by doing a quick check of people’s profiles, one can get a sense of what they like and, if they match one’s interests, start following them. Once they become “mutuals” (this is, they both follow each other), they may start interacting and even start friendships.
However, fandoms cannot be found just online. Offline, there are different ways in which fans can interact with each other. For instance, in conventions, fans of different media get together to have fun and share their interests. Even though conventions are very different from online communities, they are also a place where people get to know each other based on their passions. Nicolle Lamerichs talks about her experience meeting people at her first convention and claims that “as fans, we did share some things that united us: not personal knowledge about one another but a different type of capital, related to the subculture in which we engaged” [1]. That is to say, being fans of similar things is a way in which people can start conversation with others and become friends.
As Lisa A. Lewis puts it, “For some, the con may offer their initial exposure to fan culture and a point of entry into its social order” [2] The opportunity that conventions bring to new fans is incomparable. Not only are they a way to get involved in fandoms and know how they work, but they also give people the chance to know others like them.
The fact that interactions are not forced and are based on personal interests makes it very easy for everyone to make friends. This is very useful for shy people especially because in other circumstances they might not be able to start a conversation with someone. However, and thanks to belonging to these fan communities and going to conventions, they can do it if they see others wearing a T-shirt from a TV show they like or a cosplay of their favourite character, for instance.
All in all, belonging in fan communities has been proven to enhance people’s social skills, especially for those who have difficulty communicating with others. Being in a community where people are accepted and where everyone has similar interests is a factor which helps to be in touch with others and sometimes even build a network of people who will support them if they ever need it.
References
1. Lewis, L. A. (1992) The adoring audience: fan culture and popular media. London; Routledge.
2. Lamerichs, N. (2018) Productive fandom: intermediality and affective reception in fan cultures. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.