Comments on: On Kale, Transmedia, and Winning GISHWHES

By: Greta Hammond

Greta Hammond — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:05:31 +0000

This is amazing. I would like to find out how to be a part of this. I feel as though my life is a rut of boring and I would like that to change. I think this would be perfect.

By: Louisa Stein

Louisa Stein — Mon, 26 May 2014 19:36:45 +0000

Hi Laboni–Thanks for the lovely comment! I’d be happy to chat with you about fan studies and such. Feel free to email me at stein.louisa at gmail etc. So glad you enjoyed the essay!

By: Laboni Bhattacharya

Laboni Bhattacharya — Sun, 25 May 2014 17:05:51 +0000

I was utterly fascinated by this article, and, to be frank, I’m dying to read the essay you wrote on Misha Collins and decentred authorship (unfortunately, I can’t access it); I’m a postgraduate student of English literature, and I have never received any opportunities for contemporary media studies like these (Indian academia is ~notoriously outmoded). I’d just love to talk to you in general. As a rabid fangirl I’d finally be able to unite my obsessions and my research, perhaps even specialise in this in my future) but I have absolutely zero scholarly experience, especially in methodology.

Um, sorry, this comment became slightly off-course. Loved the article.

By: Louisa Stein

Louisa Stein — Sun, 25 May 2014 13:16:52 +0000

Kacey–Thanks very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Online fandom never ceases to inspire me.

By: Louisa Stein

Louisa Stein — Sun, 25 May 2014 13:15:56 +0000

You are forced out of your comfort zone to be better and bigger and unashamed of your unique persona, something I know I personally needed in my life at the time.

I love this description of GISHWHES! The experience is truly transformative in so many ways. I love reading the GISHWHES testimonials because each one is unique to the author and yet together they paint this bigger picture of the way GISHWHES has changed the way they see the world and themselves. I know this is absolutely true for me as well.

Thanks so much for commenting!

By: Kacey Martin

Kacey Martin — Sat, 24 May 2014 04:48:36 +0000

Fantastic article, I’m very interested by your insights on fandom and internet-based activities. I’ll be sure to read more of your articles. Thanks for posting.

By: Mels Lien

Mels Lien — Sat, 24 May 2014 04:11:44 +0000

Great piece! I love the way in which you describe the GISHWHES experience.

Having participated last year for the first time, I was bombarded with unexpected twists and turns, but ultimately it came down to the important realization that, by being weird and strange and different, it brought attention to an act or cause that otherwise wouldn’t have garnered such a heavy following. You are forced out of your comfort zone to be better and bigger and unashamed of your unique persona, something I know I personally needed in my life at the time. When you’ve stood for an hour in a park, chatting with the homeless in your community and getting to know their names and what makes them laugh or smile, you evolve into a more complex version of yourself than you would be if you simply clicked a button to donate to a cause.

I maintain to this day that there are certain events that change you for he better by being a part of them, and GISHWHES is right up there at the top of the list.

Again, fantastic article. 🙂