Transformative vs Consumptive Fandom

fogsrollingin directed me to this conversation on reddit which is a (generalised) definition of curative vs transformative fandom.

This subject has been an interest of mine for many years, and is informative and relevant on its own, but it reminds me of the changes that have come about in the last half-decade or so in fandom.

It has become evident that the influx of fandom goers resulting from the mainstreaming of fandom is changing the dynamic once again. Curative fandom seems much the same, cis-dude heavy and off over there somewhere.

But residing in the same spaces as transformative fandom there is also consumptive¹ fandom. Vast swathes of fans who consume fic and art voraciously but don't produce anything. And while the majority are no doubt innocuous and appreciative of the fanworks transformative fandom creates, there is a loud contingent who are entitled and offensive in their demands.

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