Let Me Tell You About Affinity Spaces

And How They Work

What is an "Affinity Space?"

A group of people who are brought together by a common interest. A social group formed by an appreciation or love of something, where relationships can develop between the active people in a group. (Ex: Possibilities of developing long-lasting friendships)

Examples of an Affinity Space:• Web forums• MMORPGs• WebComics• Fan-made blogs• Special Interest Blogs

o Ex: Star Wars, baking, dogs, etc.

• Comic Conventions• Social Groups/ClubsRegardless of where, people involved are able to meet and develop bonds regardless of demographics.

Hayes' Concept• Affinity spaces provide a different

features than what may be found in schools.o Younger members often have more

available to them by means of socializing in different areas.

• Affinity spaces are more available through technology.o Websites

• Experiences found within an affinity space are often in contrast with those found in schools.o Socializing over a specific

interest• Fan-produced websites:

o These websites can provide access to information, art and news that may not be available directly through the original source of the affinity space.

• Affinity spaces over a given object are for everyone.

• Promote and support new information and communication of resources.

• Require participation and include various activities for members.

• Dispersion of Knowledge via social links.

• People can build relationships simply for sharing similar tastes in one common pleasure.

• Features of affinity space can be used and allocated within educational facilities.

• Lack of segregation and individual knowledge

• Provides new style of learning by allowing open, unsegregated movement. 

Gee's Concept

The internet has provided people with a way to

"defeat standardization."

People seek experiences through

various means.

Fan Art owned by Lindsey Hutchinson.Dave Strider owned by Andrew Hussie

“Let Me Tell You About Homestuck”

A more "colorful" example of an affinity space would be the "fandom" of a popular webcomic, Homestuck.

Homestuck provides a great affinity group due to its popularity. The website for the comic (MSPaintAdventures.com) features a forum where fans can discuss current updates, as well as many social groups away from the main website.

Fans gather everywhere from finding each other through Tumblr to having real-life meetups with local fans. By being interested in this comic, many people have been able to get to know each other and build everlasting bonds with unexpected friends.

Popular Places for Homestuck Fans:• MSPaintAdventures• Tumblr• DeviantArt• Facebook What Fans Do Together:• Discuss updates• Create videos• Write "fanfiction"• Draw fanart• Cosplay

mspaintadventures.com & mspandrew.tumblr.com by

andrew hussie

The Fans

MSPaintAdventures.com• Approximately 61,000 members on MSPA - worldwide.

• Over 3 million posts• Approx. 7,000 fans active each day• 20,000+ threads

art by courtesy of loonytwin@deviantart

Homestuck: The Fandub Episode 1 by:HomestuckTheFanDub @ Youtube

Fan Appreciation By Way of Dubbing Homestuck

MMD Videos

Video courtesy of StaryuManiac @ YouTube

"Fandoms"

People who with involvement to affinity spaces consider themselves part of what they call a "fandom."

A fandom is the group of people active in an affinity space.Each fandom has a different name.

• Example: Star Trek fans are "Trekkies;" Homestuck fans are "Homestucks"Just about anything with a storyline has an active fandom for

any fan to join in on.

GIF image by SurpriseSavages101, Wikimedia

This is Fanart (art drawn by the fans!)fanarts by courtesy of loonytwin@deviantart

Why Affinity Spaces Work

• They provide a sense of community

• They bring people together in safer environments

• They allow for better socializing among those who may not feel comfortable in face-to-face interaction

• They promote creativity and thought process.

• No specific demographic.

fanart by lindsey hutcinsonsollux capter by andrew hussie