Hey, I would love to help out in any way i can. Message me on here or just go check out my bio see if i can be a help....

Good on you for combining what you love with what you might be able to use for life!!!

D

cbsteve

Hello cbsteve! My major is Communication. Gotta love the social sciences. I'm awful at math. I've always loved sci fi and would have loved to work in aerospace engineering or something related but my brain power is lacking.

In terms of a subject, there are several things I'm studying. Most of them revolve around critical cultural studies and how we use communication socially construct the world around us. My approach is mainly critical and I'm using primarily qualitative methodologies like virtual ethnography narrative analysis.

I certainly have a place for you and your story. I was planning on posting some guidelines like you suggested but since you already have something you can send it to me at JonathonLundy@boisestate.edu

Real names and places aren't required and I'm planning on using online names if allowed and coding everything anyway to protect everyone's anonymity but you can take other measures if you would like, especially if there is something in there that you feel is sensitive. Everyone I've talked to so far is fairly proud of their fandom and doesn't mind being candid, but use whatever works for you. Thanks again for the support.

ncbrowncoat

Go Tarheels!! Thanks for the tip on your story. I may be able to use it if you don't mind?
That's so great that you're having such positive experience, all because of a little show that won't give up.

What other forums do you use? I've been looking into getting more involved in different places.

InstantKarmaGirl

That's so cool that you've already participated in a Fandom study. Since you're old hat at this, I bet you will be able to make a Shiny contribution : ) What about Fandom was that study about and how did you participate in that one?

Thank you all for your willingness to participate!!!! Below is a general response and I will also post an individual one for each you.

I'm still in the process of developing my methodology but I can speak to some of initial ideas.

So, I'm interested in the individual and the collective Fandom experience of being a Browncoat, Firefly fan, etc...

On the individual level I'm looking at personal stories of when, how, and why fans became fans of Firefly/Serenity. I'm also interested in the activities that constitue fandom for that individual (How they participate as Fans, etc...)

In terms of the collective fandom experience, I would like to hear/read about the more social aspects of participatory fandom. How do Browncoats interact? Mostly online? Meet-up occasionally? Etc...? What does one have to know in order to be a Fan? Is there a difference in being a Fan versus just liking the show/film?

I'm planning on gathering information from several different angles.

Initially I would like each of you to just tell (write) me your personal (individual, not necessarily intimate) experience of becoming a fan of Firefly/Serenity. I was planning on adding another related post with some guidelines/questions that will help you develop your response. You three, and anyone else, can then develop and post it there or if you would rather email it to me that would fine and I will have my contact information posted as well.

I would also like to set a Chat even using this site so we can all just "get together" and casually talk about the show, being a fan, or anything else. Please let me know what days and times work best. Wow, this turned into an essay. Sorry about that. Looking forward to your responses. Thanks again for the potential interest.

Cpt. Awesome (Jonathon)

I'll participate. Let me know what you need, what format....what type of info you want, and I'll happily participate.

A lady from Tulane wrote a piece about Fandom and I participated in that, under another pen name.

Happy to help.

Hi. I have a BA in American Studies (UNC '82) so this is up my alley, so to speak, too. If you're interested, there's a very abbreviated story of how I came into the 'Verse in my profile.

I have to say I'm having the most fun and I've made very good friends on this forum and other Firefly forums.

Hi Captain. What is your major? I did grad work in history and I'm curious about your subject and the approach you will take. I would also like to participate, if you have a place I can send my story to. It's a bit long to post here. You might want to set up some rules, such as should we provide real names and locations or can you depend on login IDs and so on.