Jenkins and Fans

Meet the man who stole my post-it notes. 


That's right, the Cat in the Hat reading Henry Jenkins - one of the most fascinating minds when it comes to discussing all things sports and fandom - has single-handedly robbed me of my much-favoured Post It notes collection.


How is it so? I hear you ask. 


Well, it's quite simple really. Jenkins is one of those writers, who write eloquently on the ethnography of television fan communities and participatory culture.





In his book, Textual Poachers, Jenkins identifies at least five distinct (and often interconnected) dimensions of this culture and its:

1. relationship to a particular mode of reception
2. role in encouraging viewer activism
3. function as an interpretive community
4. particular traditions of cultural production
5. status as an alternative social community

Rugby as Hollywood Entertainment

After the fizzle of Invictus (which highlighted the critical importance for a screenwriter to understand the real backstory), there is a promising trailer promoting rugby in the movies.

Starring an Australian is a great start (we are top three in the world in the sport) and having Welsh-born dad along-side him is organically-producing rugby angst in itself (If you were ever lucky enough to experience an Australia v Wales test match at Cardiff before it became Millennium you'll know what I mean).


Anyone seen it, yet?

Congrats to Jess on Embrace

Oh well, better late than never! :)

GLOSSARY of TERMS

Network is:

• equivalent to the notion of graph in maths. It has a non-empty set of vertices ie: nodes & a (possibly empty) relation defined fro these nodes ie: set of ties
• Ties have many values, and there can be multiple relations

Organization is:

• a special purpose community ie: a K-component where people are in authority, working and information relations with each other.

Organizational field is:

• a community of organizations and individuals sharing a certain culture of norms, beliefs, and practices and a reputation system.

Social Capital is:

• a smorgasbord of network benefits, each with its conductive network topology. 
• all good social capital literature focuses on specific mechanisms that generate specific benefits.

- Jeroen Bruggeman (2008: 138) 

in Social Networks: An Introduction

Introducing Bert...

I just found this in the archives and rediscovered the joys of the telecommunications disconnect between hardware and the Australian data service network...

So imagine my surprise when wrapped up in all white - looking pretty schmiko too - I am unceremoniously thrown into a cardboard box and thrown about in the back of a van before being left on a chilly doorstep.

Finally placed on a busy kitchen bench I eagerly await the arrival of my new designated owner. It's 4pm and no sign of those noisy little people, so icons crossed, I haven't arrived in one of those loud, busy and complex houses with kids.  Three hours later, I light up with joy as I hear: "Tiff, There's a package for you on the bench".

First I hear the eager tear of cardboard before finally being wrapped adoringly in the warm embrace of a delicate hand.

Seventy-two hours later however, things have turned pear-shaped and I have gone from being the adored iPhone4 to Bert.

Why Bert, I hear you ask...?

Because for the past 72 hours whenever Tiff has asked me to do something that actually requires using the cellular data network, 9 times out of 10, I can't help but roll my icons sideways (she hasn't found my voice control function yet) as I try to communicate as best as my interface will allow to let her know, I know what she wants me to do and where she wants to go BERT NO SERVICE!

If only humans spoke iPhone...