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Girls who like Boys who like Boys – Ethnography of ... - Yuuyami.com

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furthermore, even if she or he only passively reads fanfics, a fan will<br />

automatically partake in fandom-specific terminology and language, which<br />

will contribute to her/his introduction to what is most certainly a <strong>com</strong>munal<br />

mode <strong>of</strong> fan-identity. In the following, I will discuss the connections that we<br />

make through fandom, be they online or in real life, as these connections<br />

constantly re-affirm one’s fan-mode <strong>of</strong> identity. Elaborating, I will explore the<br />

connection between addiction and an individual’s fan-mode, as well as the<br />

balance that exists between the two.<br />

B. From Pleasure to ID<br />

1. Introduction<br />

A fan can be both, alone or with others, as the main definition for<br />

“fan” has not carried us much beyond a distinction between “fan” and<br />

“consumer.” In that sense, a fan is productive, whereas a consumer merely<br />

consumes passively. Whether this fan is productive, alone in his room, reading<br />

fanfic or dreaming up adventures, or together with other fans, discussing,<br />

writing, and participating in building a <strong>com</strong>munity, is, therefore, a moot point.<br />

After all, it does not matter whether a fan is alone, as an online fan she/he will<br />

be very well aware <strong>of</strong> the existence <strong>of</strong> other fans, and will be, as mentioned<br />

above, subject to influences initiated and propagated by these others. Many<br />

fans will connect to others at some point, whether online or <strong>of</strong>fline. Interaction<br />

with others does not only result in sharing one’s fandom and ideas with others,<br />

but consequently in sharing one’s joy with somebody else. In addition, such<br />

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