IdeaWazaWiki - User contributions [en]

Archive:Fanboy

2007-11-02T21:12:33Z

193.61.255.87: /* Media */

{{Refimprove|date=October 2007}}

'''Fanboy''' is a term used to describe an individual (usually male; the feminine version '''fangirl''' may be used for females) who is utterly devoted to a single fannish subject, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]]. Fanboys remain loyal to their particular obsession, disregarding any factors (often including logic) that differ from their point of view.

== Background ==
Stereotypical fanboys are attributed with a sycophantic devotion to the creators and principles behind a work with which they are currently enthralled. Fanboys are noted for a very emotional attachment to their chosen subject, often taking negative remarks about it as a personal attack. They will readily engage in debates, but will fall back on emotional responses when challenged on facts. For example, a fanboy may go out of his way to point out negative and often untrue statements about their obsession's rivals. Fanboys are often hostile towards critical review of their chosen subject. The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward young man who may be perceived as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. Fanboys are also typically [[aggressive]] and hateful towards the opposing brand or competition of their obsession regardless of its merits or achievements.

As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to [[video game]] and [[television]] addicts. As a result, a subculture emerged which readily labeled itself as "fanboys." Within this group, more effort is taken to fit in with a perceived standard, resulting in a more outgoing attitude, even among those with insecurities. This outgoing stance is often felt to be abrasive by those not involved in the culture as deeply. The term originated in [[comic book]] circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other less obsessed fans. The term is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex.

The term fangirl, while similar, often carries slightly different connotations. The term fangirl is often applied to any enthusiastic female fan, regardless of obsessive qualities or not, and is often used with overtones of "teenybopper".

==History of fanboys and the term==
The term "fanboy" is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex. It is often used in a derogatory manner by other, less obsessed fans. The term originated in [[comic book]] circles to describe someone immersed in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom. Common subjects of reverence by fanboys are specific: [[TV show]]s; [[film|movie]]s; [[music]]; [[anime]]; [[comic book]]s; [[car]]s; [[video game console]]s, [[video games]] and [[MMORPG]]s; and [[computer]] [[operating system]]s, [[computer Hardware|hardware]] and [[software]].

Popular depictions of Fanboy stereotypes include the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and columnist [[Larry Groznic]] from the satirical newspaper ''[[The Onion]]''. In the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys.''

The earliest published uses of the word "fanboy" have been dated to 1982. One reference is to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide". On this cover page are sketched overweight, overzealous comic book collectors wearing T-shirts that state "Fanboys of America," who are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics.

Also published in 1982, a comic strip appeared in Jim Engel and Chuck Fiala's "Fandom Confidential" comic. In the strip, Jim and Chuck met comic artist/writer [[John Byrne]] and collapsed into "mindless paroxysms of adoration." The John Byrne character responded that they were "a couple of fanboys in bondage" (a play on words referring to a [[List of Monty Python’s Flying Circus episodes#10. E. Henry Thripshaw.27s Disease|Monty Python sketch]] in which an Elizabethan era character reads what she claims to be a new Shakespeare work called "Gay Boys in Bondage". <ref>http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=7&T1=Miscellaneous+Questions#154</ref> Another early use is in a smart-alec editorial reply by "[[Ambush Bug]]" to a letter in his comic in [[1985]].

==Media==
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*[[Galactic Storm]]'s ''Fanboydom''

===Television===
*''[[The Simpsons]]' [[Comic Book Guy]] refers to himself as a fanboy.
*''[[Freakazoid!|Freakazoid]]'''s [[freakazoid!#Other characters|Fan Boy]]

===Radio/Podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*[[The Opie and Anthony Show]] - [http://www.opieandanthony.com]

==See also==
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Cyberstalking]]
* [[Editor war]]
* [[Anorak (slang)|Anorak]]
* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Otaku]]
* [[Obsession]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboy Urban dictionary: fanboy]
* [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/1013 Dissecting the Fanboy Mind] - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regards to video games.
* [http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=6463 The trial of the Fanboy] - A criticism of the fanboy concept and overusage of the term.

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]

[[de:Fanboy]]

Journalism

2007-10-23T23:52:40Z

193.61.255.85: /* Seven tips on better writing */ Added a period after "...use the active voice".

A '''journalist''' is generally understood to be one who communicates objective truth about current topics to an interested but critical audience. A ''good'' journalist is one who realizes that the objective truth is unobtainable.

A journalist must understand the medium he works in. For instance, a newspaper reporter will write correct English.

An '''excellent''' journalist will take the extra step for '''professionalism in reporting, with consideration for truth, fairness, balance, decency and ethics'''. He will spend '''many hours researching his subject of choice'''. If you cannot do this, you cannot be a successful journalist.

==Tips for writing==

Qualities that most news stories must possess:
* Topicality (is the subject interesting?; is it current?)
* Completeness (document the who, what, where, when, how; and if possible, why)
* Accuracy (use at least two distinct sources for each fact you report)
* Impartiality (interview all sides)
* Verifiability (name sources where possible)

Skills
* research
** interviews
** going under cover
** documentation
** short-hand
** background reading
* composition/recording
* publishing

===Seven tips on better writing===
In the 1946 book, ''[[w:Shooting an Elephant|Shooting an Elephant and Other Essays]]'', author [[w:George Orwell|George Orwell]] devised 6 easy tips to make anyone a better writer. To paraphrase him, they are:
#Never use the passive voice when you can use the active voice.
#Shorter is better in sentences and paragraphs. If it is possible to remove a word from a sentence, cut it.
#Shorter is better in word choice. Never use a long word when a short word will do.
#Do not confuse your reader with uncommon words. Never use foreign phrases, scientific jargon or high-tech "buzzwords" if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
#Never use cliché metaphors, similes or other figures of speech that you are used to seeing in print. Be original.
#Be polite — even when you disagree. Break any of the above rules before you write anything offensive or outrageous. Avoid personal attacks, do not exaggerate the situation, and do not use sarcasm or [[w:hyperbole|hyperbole]]. Otherwise, you risk losing credibility in the eye of the reader.
#It is important to capture the most important facts in a new article before divulging into the details. Some readers will only have time to check the first paragraph or so of a news article ([[w:Inverted pyramid|Inverted pyramid]] style).

==Courses==
[[How to write a featured Article]]

===See also===
*[[b:How To Run A Newspaper]]

==Topics==
*[[Topic:Science journalism|Science journalism]]
*[[Topic:Photojournalism|Photojournalism]]

==Participants==

*The history of the School of Journalism page indicates who the active participants are.

*If you are or are going to become a Participant in the School of Journalism, you may list your name here. This may help the School grow and may help the Participants communicate better.

*Participants:

#[[User:Kent|Dennis L. Kent]] [[User_talk:Kent|(talk)]] Date: [[w:2007|2007]]-[[w:April 27|04-27]] ([[w:April 27|April 27]], [[w:2007|2007]]) Time: 165001 [[w:UTC|UTC]]
# [[User:Thunderhead|Thunderhead]] 09:49, 10 August 2007 (UTC)
#[[User:FWN|FWN]]

===Stream===
[[Journalism Stream]]

==Wikinews==
[[Wikinews]] is a great place to hone your journalistic skills in a live public, neutral environment. Unlike many citizen journalism sites, Wikinews is written in the Neutral Point of View (NPOV), which means reporters there often strive for '''professionalism in reporting, with consideration for truth, fairness, balance, decency and ethics'''. There are regular reporters there, which are often credited for their work.

*[[wikinews:Main Page|Wikinews]]

Some Wikinews on-going projects you might be interested in:
*[http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Wikinews:Video_2.0 Wikinews:Video_2.0]
*[http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Wikinews:Audio Audio Wikinews]
*[http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Wikinews:Original Reporting Original Reporting]

== Style Guides ==
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/ The Guardian] (newspaper)
* [http://www.economist.com/research/StyleGuide/ The Economist] (weekly)
* [http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/WN:SG Wikinews] (online wiki newspaper)
* [http://bailiwick.lib.uiowa.edu/journalism/journalists.html Other resources] (from the University of Iowa)

==External links==
* [http://en.wikinews.org Wikinews]
* [http://www.theopenpress.com/ The Open Press]
* [http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/RSS EPA RSS Feeds]
* [http://www.pmwatch.org/pmw/contact/media.asp Media contact information]
* [http://apps.gsa.gov/CommonSubscriptionService.php Sign up for electronic newsletters from the federal government]
* [http://www.indymedia.org/ Indymedia] -''A place to start reporting the news yourself.''
* [http://www.newsu.org/ News University] ''Free online courses on various journalism topics''
* [http://www.journalism.co.uk Journalism UK] -''Journalism news, training, events and jobs, for journalists''
[[Category:Pages needing cleanup after Import]]
[[Category:Journalism]]