Foucault's Discipline & Punish and The Hive Mind of Fandom

[saeva]

So, I wrote my Epistemology paper on Foucault's Discipline & Punish and the Hive Mind of Fandom. Eventually, as in next year, this will be developed into my senior thesis. So I thought, why not post it? Here goes nothing

Comments

[femmenerd]

Power is definitely dispersed in fandom, especially given the fact that there is no identifiable function of the state (at least not internally).

In terms of hierarchy and BNF stuff, have you considered checking out Bourdieu's work? (Esp. "Distinction.") In particular, his concept of "cultural capital" as it can be applied to subcultures might be especially useful in that regard.

I honestly don't remember the post of mine you quoted all that well, but I would surprised if I was entirely denying the existence of hierarchized social structures in fandom altogether. I think, more in line with Foucault actually, that it's just insane when people coming up with conspiracy theories and allowing jealousy to run into hatred. What I find especially interesting is the way that proscriptions against speaking openly apply differently to *both* "BNFs" and "LNFs." For example, in some ways, the formation of the "cabal" is, to the extent that it happens, I think often affected by the fact that there are certain things a "popular" fan can only really acknowledge to others in a similar position, without being labeled a bitch. (Which of course, then also relates to gendered socialization in which women are not supposed to own their "successes.") Plus, there's the fact that using just those two terms oversimplifies the incredibly complex workings of fandom social capital.

Anyway, I ramble. Thought-provoking stuff.