"Rebuilding Community on the FujoWeb" is finally live!
We're biased calling this a *must watch*, but don’t take it from us: as an attendee said, "the talk brought back hope for the future of the internet I didn't know I could still feel"!
In this talk, @essential-randomness recounts how @bobaboard was founded out of love for fandom and disillusionment for Big Tech. But the talk goes way beyond, from the downward spiral of the internet, to why "new social" projects keep failing and what we can (and need to) do about it.
Without spoiling too much (really, watch the video!!) the talk also explores how power influences the dynamics between online creators and consumers, and how we must change our relationship with it to make lasting social change–on the web, in fandom, and on the fandom web!
So if you care about the fandom, the web, or are otherwise in the mood for “a really thoughtful blend of education, humor, and insights” (again, not our words!), take 50 minutes out of your day to watch our talk! And if our work resonates and you can give $3/month, join our Patreon TODAY!
Fashionably late (just like the best), the thrilling conclusion to my former-presentation, current-blogpost series "Rebuilding Community on the FujoWeb". Read it on my blog, or follow along below 👇
After talking about the downward spiral of "community-led" projects for the greater good and the power dynamics that make leading them a recipe for burnout, this part looks forward to the future: where do we go from here?
The complexity of working—and being!—together is inescapable. The web of relationships grows, relentless, with every new person you add. What burns out those who care most is not the work: it's the complexity of human relationships, and the challenge of managing them at scale.
I have given a whole new presentation this year about the work we must do on ourselves to "get out of our own way and go kick ass". But as we do the hard work to get there, there's one thing we must not forget: we're not alone.
Throughout the years I've been working on the fandom side, I've met so many others tackling other slices of this problem: groups teaching to build horizontal organizations, groups offering legal advice, as well as those building open technologies & protocols to bring us together.
If we want to make change, true change, we must not just figure out how to work as a community—we must work as communitiES, each solving the problem that matters to them, with the unique skills they bring to the table. And share knowledge with each other.
On my side, I've been working tirelessly to create organizations that involve "everyday fans" in horizontal governance, teaching the skills they need to bring forth a better future. If I convinced you of the importance of this work, help us keep going!
I have so much to say, but I have to go do the work. So much work—relentless, inescapable, sometimes heartbreaking. The hard truth is if you care, really care, then you must do what you can:
As I told myself when I started (👇), if you don't, who will?
Independent online software is caught in a downward spiral of burnout and disillusionment. Can we stop it?
And with this, thank you all! Help us by sharing this thread, and...have I mentioned we have a Patreon? We have all kinds of tiers—including new ones!—from $3 to $100. With your help we can hire (and upskill) those who can TRULY make our web awesome.
Empowering fujin and other online subcultures to shape their web
It’s that time of year again! Use code FOLGERS_SEASON for 15% off across all our sites (and join our Patreon for an even deeper 25% off discount)!
Check out the links below ⬇️ have the happiest of holidays 🥂 and thank you for your ongoing support! 💜
For the 2024 FujoVerse Holiday Special, we’ve revamped our store to include items from the FujoCoded campaign, including t-shirts, tote bags, stickers, and more.
Use code FOLGERS_SEASON for 15% off!
Looking for the classics? The BobaBoard merch of Folgers Seasons past has moved into our FujoCoded store, too! From stickers to charms, from washi tape to emoji sets, there are plenty of Boba-tans to bring home for the holidays.
And of course there are the much beloved FujoBoards, which (especially when paired with your favorite snacks) are sure to be the star of any décor. Choose your favorite cheese paddle, from YAOI to BLORBO and beyond!
No time to wait? Whether you gift a RobinBoob ship certificate to a friend or buy your own OTP to treat yourself, you’ll receive it in your inbox right away!
Want an even deeper discount? Become a sustaining monthly supporter to receive 25% total off your order! Tiers start at $3/month, and every bit adds up to support our mission: building a kinder, more diverse, more collaborative, and more weird internet.
If you would like to show off your FujoVerse merch, please do tag us on socials—we’d love to see how you decorated in a festive fujin way!
Bluesky
Fediverse (blorbo.social)
Twitter
or right here on Tumblr dot com, @fujostore
Please help us boost this post (like to charge, reblog to cast) 💘 Thank you!
This April 1st, @bobaboard proudly presents our first ever Kickstarter:
✨The Fujoshi Guide to Web Development✨
Join us for a fun and educational adventure sure to hold the interest of even the most "no studying, only studs" fans.
The secret? Hot fictional men, of course!
If you're new to @bobaboard's April 1st traditions, you might wonder: Is this just an elaborate joke?
As long-term fans know, it’s elaborate, it’s a joke, BUT it’s also a 100% real, high-quality product you can buy.
Check out the full pitch and back us at the #FujoGuide Kickstarter page! Keep reading for more!
Since the very beginning, we have championed the weirdness of fans as the best antidote to the blandness of the corporate-driven web. But pointing out this weirdness is not enough: we must nurture and empower it.
But how do we hold fans' attention in a world full of distractions? Well—
But jokes aside, there's no joke: with your help we will make #FujoGuide an amazing teaching tool that will (cough) "fill the gaping holes" in current educational materials for web development.
To fix the web, what we have now is not even close to "good enough." Here's why.
While teaching fannish "baby coders," we noticed existing materials fall into two categories:
jargon-heavy, complex guides designed for professional developers
oversimplified, nostalgia-driven tutorials filled with outdated approaches
…and not ONE hot man in sight!
Instead, #FujoGuide aims to put modern web development techniques into the hands of a fannish public, speaking directly to their needs WITHOUT talking down to them.
We love web development, we love fandom, and we believe that, with the right tools, they'll also love each other.
But words can only do so much. To support #FujoGuide and learn more about Version Control, our first—bold!—choice of topic, head down to Kickstarter and (cue YouTuber voice) smash that "back this project" button!
This whole project was created by a small team of fannish people over the course of just two months (yes, really)! The amazing quality of what you see is testament to their infinite talent, passion, and patience. Applause pls (on the credits doc).
And with this… our 30 days countdown begins! As the month progresses, we'll teach you more and more about our new beloved self-shipped blorbos. We know you'll come to love us as much as we do.
Also if you aren’t already, follow our mothership and main project @bobaboard.
