In whatever spare time I have outside of Fanpop, I’ve been trying to keep up with my reading. I’ve been reading Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay for the past few months because I can’t seem to find any breaks to finish it (I knew I shouldn’t have started a 626 page book if I didn’t have time to read it!). It’s a fantastic book by the way. The other book I am in the midst of finishing is Chris Anderson’s eagerly-awaited book The Long Tail. I had already read many of his articles and some of the pre-published book on his blog and was really excited to get my hands on a copy. The wait was well worth it especially in light of the Fanpop launch.
The gist of the book is basically about how technology and innovation has changed the game. Over time, the invention of things like the Gutenberg printing press, the Sears catalog and the Internet, that distribution and customization have allowed the diversity and variety of supply to meet the breadth and myriad of demand. It’s been fascinating to read Anderson’s analysis of the power of the niche and how meeting the needs and demands of the few can be as impactful creating a huge hit for the many. It kinda makes me think of how Google is perfect for the masses in the fat tail because it’s so simple and convenient. I see Fanpop as letting people create hundreds and thousands of little Yahoo’s and filling out the long tail. We were confident that there was a need for this type of platform when Papa and I conceived of the idea for Fanpop. But seeing it in action has blown both of us away. We had no idea that there were so many fans of rats or hamsters. I’m finding out about bands I’ve never heard of from near and far like Kaiser Chiefs and Cud from the UK or the Dutch band the Gathering. I’m learning about books that I should be reading like the “A Song of Ice and Fire” and “His Dark Materials” series.
The more we saw Fanpop grow this first month, the more we realized that there’s a real need for community portals like these for anything and everything. So many of these fans don’t really have a place to share and commune about their passion. We’re just happy we could help them find a home and even better to help others discover new interests that they may never otherwise have been exposed to. I mean I just found out that Nicole Kidman is starring in the movie adaptation of the His Dark Materials series which I had never heard of until Fanpop!
We firmly believe that by creating the right platform of tools and features that allow for a community of fans of any given topic of interest, that people will be drawn and the mavens and pied pipers of each of those communities will lead them here. We’ve already seen that happen for many different spots through forums and blogs all over the world. From fans of pigeons to Gaia Online, people are spreading the gospel of Fanpop every day. We couldn’t ask for better ambassadors than the devoted fans themselves. Fanpop wouldn’t be what it is without the passion of the fans.
I can’t wait to see what new bands, books, tv shows or places to travel you all will open my eyes to next!
Dave-
Kav and Clay is a good read, no doubt, but you’re right about “A song of ice and fire.” You do need to read it! Best. writing. ever. Oh, and Dark Materials is a great read, and pretty quick. Like Harry Potter, they’re all ages. Good for you, good for any youngsters you know.