The JohnLock Conspiracy, fandom eschatology, and longing to belong

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Abstract

Using The JohnLock Conspiracy (TJLC), developed by the fandom of the BBC television series 'Sherlock' (2010), as an exemplar, we analyze how the functionality of Tumblr supported the development of a fandom eschatology. In this instance, eschatology is not religious but secular: fans claimed to know what the final end of the Sherlock series was to be, and they interpreted various signs as indicating that this would happen. The infrastructure and interactive design of Tumblr as a platform creates a foundation permitting fan group radicalization. Because of Tumblr's infrastructure and gratification system, forming a tight-knit group is difficult. By developing and using eschatology as a belief system, fans create boundaries, decide membership and proper behavior, and enable the policing of other fans.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2
JournalTransformative Works and Cultures
Volume27
Number of pages14
ISSN1941-2258
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Jun 2018

Keywords

  • fandom
  • fan fiction
  • TJLC
  • The JohnLock Conspiracy
  • Eschatology
  • Fandom eschatology

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