Sherli Bakerst wrote:

I appreciate The Doctor's comparison--it offers something to think about--though I don't really think Sherlock is a religious experience; not for me, anyway.

That was the point I was trying to make - as our societies abandon religion, its people start looking for something to fill the void. You could also describe it as an attempt to re-establish irrationality in the age of rationality.

So, no, the Sherlock fandom is not religious. But it is searching for MEANING. In the past, religions and spiritual beliefs often fulfilled this function. Nowadays, it is more complicated.

I'm not sure but I think when The Doctor says "searching for meaning," she's referring to the analysis we on this board (and other like-minded people elsewhere) engage in.  We discuss and dissect all aspects of the show ad infinitum and create all sorts of theories about it.  Which is not dissimilar to religious scholars examining in minute detail the core texts of their religions.  In both cases, we are striving to find The Meaning Of It All and take pleasure in the company of people who share the same interest.

Last edited by Sherli Bakerst (January 19, 2014 3:49 am)

besleybean wrote:

I restate, we are more like arts ctitics.

I like this idea but cannot help but notice how little we refer to established discourses of Arts, cultural studies, media studies etc - these fields have established theories and terminology that would mark as as (amateur)  art critics. If this would be the common shared ground for us, surely we would connect to existing debates in related fields here on the Sherlock board instead of re-inventing the wheel?

I have absolutely NO ISSUES with what we do and discuss on this board.

Several more canonical fans also post on more Doyle-dedicated message boards and yet this board has its own reason to exist. However, very few of us discuss lighting, colour schemes, camera angles, costume scripting, and other arty aspects here. Instead I observe debates regarding aesthetics (picture threads), of moral issues ('Sherlock would never do this', 'Why did Mary shoot', etc), community involvement (elimination games, trading for stories, etc), and yes, some worshipping (BC's voice and talent, MF's style and talent, etc). These are very basic issues and yet very loaded (note how we fight on this board, and validate or reject each other's opinion).

'The most obvious and frightening thing about popular culture is that it matters so much to its fans' (Grossberg 1992)

Of course, you can never (well, rarely) go wrong in discussing all things Doyle and indeed, BBC Sherlock!

Swanpride wrote:

Don't forget that a lot of people here are not native speakers.

Indeed, this has an influence too, and I am constantly amazed how different the topics are on the Brazilian discussion board (just one example but geez, they are busy over there!).

By the way, English is my 5th language and it is immensly frustrating to not be able to express one's thoughts more precisely, which is why I tend to post quite rarely

Kudos to all those non-native speakers bravely entering this battlefield , you make the board what it is -

Anyone is free to open threads on scientifically/academically oriented subjects. But we should not forget that this a forum for fans some of which may not wish to discuss Sherlock on such a high theoretical level. And there should be fun for those who wish to play games, fangirl a bit, etc. or do all of this (like me).
Being a mod I wish to express that this forum should be for everyone and that people should not feel inhibited because they feel not able to express themselves well enough in English or feel not up to such discussions. And there are people who speak only one or two languages. 

Last edited by SusiGo (January 19, 2014 11:39 am)

Out of love.

The Doctor wrote:

Swanpride wrote:

Don't forget that a lot of people here are not native speakers.

Indeed, this has an influence too, and I am constantly amazed how different the topics are on the Brazilian discussion board (just one example but geez, they are busy over there!).

By the way, English is my 5th language and it is immensly frustrating to not be able to express one's thoughts more precisely, which is why I tend to post quite rarely

Kudos to all those non-native speakers bravely entering this battlefield , you make the board what it is -

 
Oh, this is so sad! I am so terribly sorry for you, Doctor! Wait, where do you live.... in Australia? 
Best wishes from Germany - "battlefield"? Nah, I won't call it like that. What about "playground"? 

I agree with you , belis, but I think The Doctor was referring to the difficulties with the foreign language.
Which I certainly have, but which can't stop me posting here.  One can only learn, right?

And we lazy Brits doff our caps to you all!

Mattlocked wrote:

I agree with you , belis, but I think The Doctor was referring to the difficulties with the foreign language.
Which I certainly have, but which can't stop me posting here. One can only learn, right?

Deffinitely. English isn't my first language either. I can understand pretty much everything what is said but my ability to express myself precisely sometimes comes short. What I meant is that I hope that those who aren't fluent will continue to post as it adds a lot to the forum. (I may be biased here since I'm not fluent myself lol).