It has been a generally noted perception of late that the fandom is in decline - some have even ventured to say that it's dead, or at the very least, close to it.
I think the important question folks need to ask themselves is - why?
How can shows that have been around for 30 years or more still have a thriving fandom, and ours, barely 10 years, be in its death throes? What are they getting right that this fandom isn't?
The big issue, kids, is this: We've had mainstays of the fandom leave, for one reason or another, and nobody's really replaced them. No, we're not a big group of fans - that much has been made plainly obvious - which makes it all the more painful when active fans vanish off the face of the planet (or to another, more active fandom, whichever comes first).
But in amongst all the whining about how it's dying, and how everybody's gone and there's no new blood, is there anyone out there actually bothering to ask: "Well, who else can we get involved?"
ReBoot's lifespan depends upon its fans - more heavily than you might think. And it's increasingly our responsibility to get people into the show. You don't want to be bothered trying, don't come whining to me that there's no new fic, or decent websites anymore in about a year. It's YOUR choice.
This is why I'm henceforth going to declare December "International ReBoot Month."
The rules are simple.
- First, you have to get off your arse, grab a selection of the BEST ReBoot episodes (NOT the final one!) and go and hook a few new people on the show. Steal, beg, borrow episodes - I don't care how you get hold of them. ASK. Someone will help you out. Everyone needs ReBoot!
- By people, I do not refer to your mother, or your uncle, or your best friend's baby brother. When you show your episodes, it needs to be to those who are already active in other fandoms, who you think can contribute in constructive ways to this one. The episodes are only 20 minutes or so long, so it's not a big sacrifice of their time to just watch one or two.
- Be prepared. People who have never seen this show will HAVE QUESTIONS. Sometimes, they'll even ask questions you never even thought of before. If you're not sure, don't lie. Say, "I'm not sure, but I'll see if someone else does." It's called "sparking discussion," and boy howdy do we need some right now.
- DON'T choose the climaxes of story arcs to show! DO show episodes like, "The TIFF", or "Trust No One" - good episodes that have excellent parody material, and others will be familiar with, even though they've never seen ReBoot.
- Report back! We want to know how it went! Sometimes someone will be hooked right away; others might say they want to see more, and yet others may well say, "Dubya tee eff, mate?" (although this occurrence is quite low, in my experience). This is the perfect time of year - Christmas is coming, and people will be on holiday and bored out of their minds. Suggest, "Hey, there's this show I'm really into, want to see an episode and finally understand what it is I babble about sometimes?" And if your friend is a good friend, they will say, "Sure, why not!". We won't go to the place that involves them saying no, because then we'll have to kill them... anyway.
- If you need help: ASK.
- Publicise! We'll need button graphics for sites and journals! Make your own, or ask for one! (yes, I shall make a couple...)
Ultimately, this is all up to you. Yes, you. You want the fandom to thrive? You have to give it a jump start, get new ficwriters, new websites up. Don't keep this show to yourself. You'll only get out of this fandom what you put in.
Spread the word. December is International ReBoot Month.