Fandom Decline
| Synonyms: | Is Fandom X Dying? Are all authors losing interest in X? etc etc. |
| See also: | Pairing Decline, Graying of Fandom |
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The Fandom Decline discussion is a recurring topic of fandom meta, and part of most larger fandoms' lifecycle.
A typical point for this discussion to happen is either when the fandom goes from open canon to closed canon (or at least to a closed primary canon in case of fandoms in which tie-in novels and such are still produced), and the pace of the fandom and fanfic production changes from one that has an external reference point, i.e. discussion, anticipation and reaction to weekly episodes or waiting for the next book to come out etc., to a fandom that only has fandom for new material.
Examples are the discussions in Harry Potter fandom after book seven came out. [citation needed][1] Especially for subfandoms this discussion may also happen in the wake of death of major characters, cast changes, excessive wank etc. or any development that causes a number of visible fans to lose interest. [citation needed][2]
Usually this discussion takes the form that fans who are still into the fandom (or pairing) are concerned that activity in their fandom is winding down, that fanwriters are moving on and the fandom declining, and sometimes also worry that all interesting stories have been done already.
The impression of a decline in fandom can be sparked by both a more objective decline in total numbers of posts to a mailing list/archive/community, but it can also seem that way when the fans who joined the fandom with you leave, even when new people are still joining the fandom at the same time. Though then it often becomes more of a "is the quality of fanfic for X declining?" discussion.
As this discussion tends to happen especially in large fandoms that come down from a very high activity level, there are then also reaction posts to the decline thesis that point out that there is still plenty activity, and that there are still many opportunities for new fanfic that haven't been done. A classic example for that kind of post is Kaz' essay No More Sentinel? that was a reaction to the fandom decline debate in The Sentinel fandom after the series had ended. It was first posted to The Raft (date?) and later reposted to Senfic. Kaz argued that there were still plenty of areas left for Sentinel fanfic to explore, that had been done neither in canon nor in fanfic so far, in particular with respect to Jim's senses beyond standard fanfic tropes that are always done with any two guys just with slightly adjusted trappings, and discussed possibilities with many canon references.[3]
For a detailed look at one fandom decline, see I would pay top dollar for a comprehensive, source-supported explanation of how Superwholock vanished. (2016).
The Fandom That Seems to Evade Fandom Decline
Star Trek fandom is one that always to have something cooking. Part of this is because the franchise is so large, has so many moving parts, and is very much apart of culture.
But even Star Trek wasn't immune to fans' dire warnings of its death. In 1977 and 1978, the lettercols of some of the leading zines were filled with dire predictions. "Fandom is dying, everybody is gafiating, Star Wars fandom is taking over" comments.[4]
Fans have periodically predicted the fandom's death [citation needed], and while aspects of it have morphed and ebbed and flowed, the fandom is still alive and kicking over fifty years later.
Further Reading/Meta
- The Death of Star Wars (1980)
References
- ^ needs some cites and linked posts
- ^ needs some cites and linked posts
- ^ Senfic post as part of a "vanishing authors" discussion from 23 June 1999.
- ^ One example: "Two extremes have already formed, one saying that 'Trek is Dead.' citing Star Wars as its killer; and the other faction maintains a grin-and-bear it attitude, assuming that the enthusiasm will eventually wane, leaving ST fandom intact." -- from Spectrum #34