Resistance is fertile

[rivkat]

So I was reading this article about online fandom, and I thought these were interesting passages:

And in talking about fan/[cy]borg use of code in relation to the Web, it is only at the level of HTML coding that fan/[cy]borgs work, leaving other levels to developers and scientists.
. . . .
In contrast, fans use other parts of the Internet, including Web browsers and connection software, but are unable to significantly modify or alter these parts and usually engage them in a “read-only” mode. ...

Because fan/[cy]borgs are not (generally) professional programmers, their knowledge of the deeper levels is limited, and current ideologies about programming encourage them to think that way. Thus, lower levels remain mostly “off-limits” for all but professionals and curious hackers. And at these deeper levels, code is changing—it is closing in design, with the result that corporations have greater control at these levels, which ultimately affects the surface. And without the skills or the interest in challenging control at these levels, fan/[cy]borgs are unable to fully challenge media corporations about ownership and fair use of media texts. Resistance is not futile—it is absent.

Mia Consalvo, Cyber-Slaying Media Fans: Code, Digital Poaching, and Corporate Control of the Internet, 27 Journal of Communication Inquiry 67, 72, 74, 82-83 (2003)

Gee, I thought, that sounds bad! It’s a good thing we own some goddamned servers now, and are nearing open beta on the Archive of Our Own due to the incredible work of fan coders! Not to mention Fanlore, and TWC, and our other preservation and advocacy initiatives!

And also I am very excited for tonight!

Comments

[cesperanza]

Yeah, good fucking thing!! *high-fives you!!* W00T!

(Margie pointed out that the labels on the servers look like OTW00T!!)

[flourish]

Amusingly, I just met Mia today. I think that she mostly works on game culture and not so much on online fandom (?) - Anyway, when I see her next I'm going to ask her about this (and in the meantime of course I'll read the whole paper).

[flourish]

Actually, now that I look at it, in 2003 we DIDN'T have all those things. So GO FANDOM GO GO FANDOM! :P

[rivkat]

Right, I didn't exactly mean to criticize, more like: yes, we noticed that stuff too.

[cofax7]

Irony, I can haz it?

[bluemeridian]

I love how the "OTW001" and "OTW002" do indeed look like "OTWOOT". ♥

[amalthia]

well that was kind of insulting! And damn right we own our own servers now! :)

[on_verra]

*delurks*

Hello and thanks for the add! Your one of the people whose fic I usually read through an RSS feed, but I've been convinced to start f-listing more of said people so that it won't come totally out of the blue on those rare occasions when I comment.

Also, I did some betalistening on Cathexys' podfic of "Tricking", which reminded me of how much I adore you :D

[rivkat]

Thanks for helping with the podfic! I could never read my stuff out loud, but it's great that there are people willing to do so, and I'm glad you like the stories!

I have given up on adding people on LJ, but I am trying to be better at DW.

[ciaan]

And fans do create add-ons and extensions for the Firefox browser! Maybe the next step is to make some of our own file formats?