Fanfic Forensics

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Results of data analysis as reflection of scientific consciousness of societies

See 'open work' theory. Is there a case to be made for the idea of fanwork contents reflection the scientific consciousness of societies? Examine using various Japanese and North American/European theories about the function of fan cultures in society (Azuma, Jenkins, ...).

Part of 'open'/'collaborative' trend: open source, open notebook science, open access, open/collaborative learning1, ...

Hypothesis about role of fanworks in cultural production system of societies

Apply the abovementioned theory talk to the practical reality of dojinshi production in Japan. From our comparison of Japanese- and English-language fanworks and considering how dojinshi are influenced by Japanese legal, economic, cultural policy and social realities, how should we characterize the function of dojinshi in the Japanese system of cultural production?

Main issues

• Legality of dojinshi/fic: position of industry, legal reality, actual cultural policy towards dojinshi and other amateur works in Japan. Where do the rules as written down into law collide with the realities on the ground, and how do creators, industry professionals and policymakers handle the resulting tensions?
• Gender: a majority of dojinshi are created by women, how does this influence the position of dojinshi in the Japanese system of cultural production -and the lack of research into dojinshi in general?
• Connection of dojinshi production system to other 'open' philosophies (open source, open access, open notebook research, feminist methodologies, queer theory, ?)
• ...

1. 1. Levine, Arthur. n.d. Views: Digital Students, Industrial-Era Universities - Inside Higher Ed. http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2010/06/14/levine.