Before I dive into today’s main blog idea, I wanted to thank those of you who responded to my big question on Friday. In case you missed it, I wondered what you all (the readers) would like to see us write about here on the blog. Many threw suggestions our way, but we would always welcome more. I know, for myself, those ideas definitely got my brain to start processing again!
In thinking and writing about the history of this blog, I have always mentioned two big ideas. It has captured what the band has been up, as far as album cycles, appearances, interviews, etc. Of course, since this is a blog, those happenings are usually accompanied by our commentary. (What can I say? We aren’t known to hold back or not share what we think!). The other thing I always reference is how the blog has become a journal for us in a way as much of our personal lives affect our fandom and vice versa. If I want to know what I was thinking or feeling in September 2014, I can certainly go back to blogs then and read on. Yet, I have come to see this blog serving one other additional piece.
As I am sure that many of you know or have guessed by now, but I teach history. I have a history degree. Interestingly enough, I am also certified to teach sociology, the study of groups. Why does that matter when it comes to this blog? Up until recently, I would have acknowledged the sociological aspects of what we do here. After all, we have attempted through writing, reading and researching to understand fandom and fan communities, group of people/fans. Fandom seems to me to be a good cross between sociology and pop culture. In the case of our fandom, being made up of a majority of women, I might throw in Women’s Studies as well. Notice what was missing there was history. Nothing about what we do here feels very historical. Yes, we obviously talk about the band’s history and may even bring in references to the context provided by the world or their community but that doesn’t feel the same as studying World War II, for example.
Yet, could this blog actually serve a historical purpose? While, yes, we have talked about various Duran events, I would not say that our blog is the definitive source there. After all, we never claimed to cover breaking news and I’m sure that there are appearances that we have missed. Besides, there is the band’s official website and social media that documents what the band is up to. There are also fan contributions that do something very similar. No, I don’t think the blog is the best record for Duran Duran history but I do think it has captured something else: Duran Duran Fandom.
We have had many blog posts over the years discussing our fandom and how it has changed. For example, we talked at length about what it was like during the reunion and when Rhonda and I found our way to DuranDuranFans, a message board no longer in existence. Then, we pondered the turn to a seemingly more cutthroat community during Red Carpet Massacre to the rise of twitter fans during All You Need Is Now. Looking back, we really have captured the history of our fan community in the last decade or so. We didn’t set out to do it. It was not a deliberate act but something done, nonetheless. I cannot think of another place that has done that. Yes, there are message boards and social media that has been around for as long, if not a lot longer, then us that does include what fans are thinking or feeling at any given time. Yet, you would have to shift through a lot of posts to be able to capture much. At the same time, what we do here because of our focus on fandom and fan communities, we have taken the time to provide a little analysis, which serves to document in itself. Now, that said, I’m certain that turns some people off but I like it. (Obviously.)
I guess what I am saying is that we have created a history of our fan community without even trying. That is another reason that I’m super proud of this little blog that could and did.
-A
