Science fiction fandom

{

"text": "Science fiction fandom, often called simply \"fandom,\" is a distinct subculture of people united by an interest in science fiction. It is more than just a group of readers; it is a social community with its own literature and specialized jargon. Within this community, people form deep connections, including marriages and multi-generational fan families. While fandom often lacks a single formal organization, it maintains a life of its own through various clubs and social networks.

\n\nThe mechanism of fandom began through the letter columns of science fiction magazines. Editors like Hugo Gernsback published readers' comments along with their addresses. This allowed fans to write directly to one another, moving the conversation from the magazine to personal correspondence. As fans discovered they lived near each other, they began meeting in person. This social interaction eventually led to the creation of fanzines. These are amateur, non-professional publications produced by fans to discuss the genre. Fanzines were generally traded among enthusiasts rather than sold in stores. Today, while many fanzines continue to exist, digital outlets like websites, blogs, and Usenet newsgroups have largely supplanted printed versions.\n\nFandom has evolved through several distinct stages and organizational types. At the earliest level, there were small, local clubs like the Scienceers, which met in a Harlem apartment in 1929. As the community grew, formal organizations emerged, such as the Science Fiction League (SFL) founded in 1934. This league allowed local branches to join by filling out applications. Some clubs became permanent cultural institutions. For example, the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS) was founded in 1934 and still exists today. Other groups, like the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS), also remain active after being formed in 1935.

\n\nThe history of fandom is deeply tied to the early 20th-century magazine industry. In May 1930, the Chicago branch of the Science Correspondence Club produced the first science fiction fan magazine, *The Comet*. By 1932, a New York City circle published *The Time Traveller*, featuring contributions from Forrest J Ackerman. These early efforts paved the way for the massive conventions we see now. The first World Science Fiction Convention, or Worldcon, was held in 1939 alongside the New York World's Fair. Since the end of World War II, Worldcon has been held annually, serving as the premier event for the community.\n\nConventions serve as the primary way fans gather, and they vary greatly in scale and purpose. Worldcon is a major event where the Hugo Awards are presented to celebrate excellence in the field. Attendance at Worldcon can reach 8,000 people or more. In contrast, some gatherings are minimalist \"relaxacons\" with only about 100 attendees. There are also large commercial \"gate shows\" that focus on media like film and video games rather than literature. One notable example is Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia, which has seen attendances exceeding 20,000 since the year 2000.

\n\nFandom is a global phenomenon with unique traditions in different countries. In Sweden, \"Sverifandom\" emerged in the early 1950s, leading to the first Swedish convention, LunCon, in 1956. The UK fandom maintains close ties with the US and hosts the Eastercon, a large literary convention held over the Easter weekend. In Italy, fandom grew through magazines like *Oltre il Cielo* in the late 1950s. This led to the creation of the Eurocon, the first European convention, held in Trieste in 1972. Today, the association World SF Italia coordinates the national convention, known as Italcon.\n\nFinally, fandom acts as an incubator for many specialized subcommunities. Some groups, often called \"fringe fandoms,\" grew out of science fiction but now operate independently. These include comic book fandom, gaming, and media fandom. Within the core community, there are also highly cohesive subcultures. \"Filkers\" focus on music, \"costumers\" focus on dress, and \"SMOFs" are those who run conventions. Whether someone is a \"Trekkie\" focused on *Star Trek* or a member of the 501st Legion, fandom provides a structured way for people to explore shared passions.",

"media": [

"File:Audience waiting for the Hugo Award Ceremony at the 75th World Science Fiction Convention in Helsinki, Finland in 2017.jpg",

"File:WSFS 001.jpg",

"File:Star Wars Celebration IV - The 501st legion guards the Obi-Wan bust I won as sculptor Lawrence Noble returns it to the booth (4878296123).jpg"

]

}