#dacci

Questo è il manifesto affisso a firma “Noi con Salvini” a Giffoni Valle Piana. “Ha reso grande l’Italia e faceva lavorare tutti, perché nella patria non dovevano esistere parassiti”, dice. Si chiude con un chiaro post scriptum: “L’onorevole Fiano è avvisato: accettiamo querele per l’apologia del fascismo, Guido Carpinelli già consigliere provinciale con An”. Dice (è una notizia che ciclicamente…

One fandom I exhibit fan capital in is the DC Comics’ superhero fandom. Meaning I enjoy comic books, television shows and movies revolved around DC Comics’ superheroes. To greater my cultural capital I ensure that I watch every movie and tv show related to the DC universe and re-watch them so I would be knowledgeable on all the characters and storylines. This means I can quote and reference materials other fans will recognise. I also make a point to watch YouTube videos that reveal secrets or production facts, that will help to increase my cultural capital. Within this fan community the more knowledge you have the more of a fan you must be, so cultural capital is seen as more desirable than social capital. “Acquiring it will not enhance one’s career, nor will it produce upward class mobility as its investment payoffs. Its dividends lie in the pleasures and esteem of one’s peers in a community of taste rather than those of one’s social betters.” (Fiske, 1992, 34). Fiske’s analysis of cultural capital describes the DC Comics’ fandom exactly, though there is no monetary or career gain from having this knowledge, the individual does so as they enjoy knowing it and being able to share it with their like-minded peers.

Being more knowledgeable and seen with more cultural capital, you are more likely to be invited into heavy discussions on DC Comics, as you are seen as knowledgeable enough to contribute. Being rewarded with further knowledge that they can share and the chance to show off your own knowledge, and debate some of your opinions with your peers. Fiske talks about how fan cultural knowledge is used to enhance both their power over and their participation in the original media text. This is true of the DC Comic fandom as they find joy in re-reading or re-watching content that relates to the fandom, as they can use their knowledge they have gained since they last participated in this activity to see the text in a new way, and potentially gain more knowledge to share and then use to once again read or watch the content through new eyes.

Though all of this plays a part into why I am a part of this fandom, being a part of the DC Comics fandom is mostly about enjoying the movies and TV Shows for me. The female characters in the DC Universe are empowered as there are female villains that are strong and successful, and female heroes who are saving men for a change. Watching other women be this confident and strong gives me the courage I need to be the same. In D’Acci’s study of ‘Cagney & Lacey’ fans showed the same result, as their fans felt more empowered, as it gave them the self-esteem to be more confident in their everyday social world. As did Fiske when he was analysing teenage Madonna fans and how they felt they could take control of their own sexuality because of their fandom and the female empowerment within it. So gaining more cultural capital in your fandom may give you popularity within the group, but it can also give you self-confidence, as when you are studying the texts you pick up on the positive and empowering messages.

 Bibliography

D’Acci, J. (1988). Women, Television and the Case of Cagney and Lacey. University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Fiske, J. (1989). Reading the Popular. Boston: Unwin Hyman.

E non ci togliere abbondanza

dacci solo assuefazione

Non ci devi soddisfare,

Ma trovare una ragione

per continuare a masticare

Per continuare a masticare.

Padrone dacci fame abbiamo troppo da mangiare, padrone dacci un po’ di fame. La sazietà non ci basta più, di sazietà non né possiamo proprio più.

Il paradosso di chi non ha più fame,

Ma non vuole rinunciare

Al piacere di mangiare.

Un mondo che avanza

E non vorrebbe più avanzare.