For the next round of posts, I’m going to focus on some of the ways fans described themselves in 2008. In order to get a sense of who was participating in the 2008 Fan Fiction survey, the participants were asked for some general demographic information. At the time, I wanted to get a sense of the mix of fans taking the survey. Now, I’d love to know what you make of this data.
2) gender and sexuality
The vast majority of fans participating in the survey (96%) identified as female. Many participants identified as heterosexual (68%), but a significant portion of participants (32%) identified as non-heterosexual, including the 23% of participants that identified themselves as bisexual. That’s roughly a third of participants identifying as something other than straight.
I’ve got a few different things I’m wondering about this and I’d love to get your thoughts.
First, what do you make of this data? Is there anything else you think we should pay attention to here?
Also, how much does this match with your experience of fans and fandoms today?
Finally, how do you feel about surveys collecting this kind of information about fans? Do we need this kind of data? Is it useful?
Share your ideas by replying to this post or by posting comments on the Fandom Then/Now website.
For the next round of posts, I’m going to focus on some of the ways fans described themselves in 2008. In order to get a sense of who was participating in the 2008 Fan Fiction survey, the participants were asked for some general demographic information. At the time, I wanted to get a sense of the mix of fans taking the survey. Now, I’d love to know what you make of this data.
1) ages
First, in 2008 the participants skewed younger. The survey was only open to participants 18 or older, but the vast majority of survey participants were under thirty years of age. These numbers may also imply that there is significant participation in fan culture from individuals younger than 18. However, since younger fans were excluded from participating, these fans and their reading practices are not represented by the 2008 survey results.
What do you make of these numbers and the ranges of ages represented? Is there anything else you think we should pay attention to here?
Also, how much does this match with your experience of fans and fandoms today? Do you think most fans are 30 and under or have things changed?
Share your ideas by replying to this post or by posting comments on the Fandom Then/Now website.
E-books have changed the world of publishing in fundamental ways. The business model that encouraged publishers to support the work of public libraries has changed to such an extent that this relationship has been stressed to the point of non cooperation.
E-books have changed the world of publishing in fundamental ways. The business model that encouraged publishers to support the work of public libraries has changed to such an extent that this relationship has been stressed to the point of non cooperation.
