Folklore in 10,000 Pixels: Icon Use by Fanfic Writers on LiveJournal

Abstract

Folklore is concerned with the presence or absence of lore and how it demonstrates the boundaries and existence of community. Lore is expressed through behaviors, discussion, objects or combinations thereof. The Internet, and indeed any technology, does not create communities, it can only facilitate or inhibit their interaction. But the use of a technology can create certain practices or modify existing lore among groups who use it. Cultural and media studies have for some decades examined creative fan communities as a form of “audience response” to media texts. Fan audiences differ from the more casual consumer of popular entertainment by their level of interest, immersion in, and knowledge of their object of interest. Participating in a fandom is an inherently social activity. While fandoms in general share certain attributes and practices they are also often deeply divided on matters of taste, values, and the role the central text or fandom plays in their lives. These issues of dispute manifest themselves in practices, social groupings, vocabulary, and even disagreement on what the central text or object is. This essay focuses on the functions, disputes and values in a fandom community through the examination of the visual practice of icon use by fan fiction authors and artists at the LiveJournal blog site