Alabasata
13d ago
Well, let's look at a case in Mississippi that hits me in the fandom. A former professional wrestler (and son of a famous 1980s wrestler) is going to trial next week for welfare fraud.
Pro wrestling is one of the better-documented fandoms on the Internet. Documentation of events spans back decades. Wrestlers who've moved on to other industries, from yoga to real estate still get some level of coverage. I would expect if there is any citizen journalism to be had, it would be a fanboy following their curiosity.
I've seen plenty of commentary stemming from the news media. I've never seen or heard of citizen-led journalism, or fan journalism that led up to force the case's hand. You'd think that Blues prosecuting Reds on their own turf would fit Case 2 - but it didn't happen. It seems that the state did its job before citizens had to - Reds prosecuting Reds. There's a joke in Blue corners that "Republicans will campaign that government doesn't work, and when they're elected - act in a way to prove it (by being incompetent and corrupt)." This is certainly a counterfactual I'll bring up in future conversations.
I don't think this is indicative of any larger social trends. Sometimes competent government oversight just happens. Sometimes journalism is just downstream of institutions. Maybe one day we'll see Case 2 rear its head. Stranger things have happened.
I am reminded of my neighborhood organization coming out against backyard cottages, partially because it messes with "neighborhood character". For reference, I live in a working-class neighborhood largely built between 1945 and 1970.
When I think of neighborhood character, I don't think of demographics. I think of actions & relationships. If someone rings my doorbell, do I expect someone I've met - or a door-to-door salesman? If someone walks down the sidewalk, do we - at bare minimum - exchange pleasantries?
I have not had many positive reactions with people who are concerned about neighborhood character. Their org had 50 years to build a character worth defending - and they haven't. They knew I was going to have a second child. They never thought to ask about the due date or congratulate me after the baby was born. They do not visit, text, or call except to advertise their official meeting. They live nearby, but they feel like anything but neighborly.
Perhaps my standards for "good culture" are alien from theirs. I wouldn't be surprised. And as above, so below. There are things I'm not fond of about American culture, epsecially building a necessity for driving. I can see how a simmering dissatisfaction can be re-interpreted as contempt.
Anyway, I'm partially the kind of person you're talking about. So I'm open to answer questions.
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