Tune In, Log On

Nancy Baym is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas. She has written many widely-cited articles about online fan community and social aspects of online interaction and is the author of the book Tune In, Log On: Soaps, Fandom, and Online Community (Sage Press, Inc.). She is a co-founder and Past-President of the Association of Internet Researchers. She is an award-winning teacher whose courses address the use of new communication technologies in creating identities, relationships and communities, interpersonal communication, and qualitative research methods. She serves on the editorial boards of the premiere journals in the field, including New Media & Society, The Journal of Communication, The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, and The Information Society. Her blog about fan activity on the internet can be found at http://www.onlinefandom.com

• IntroductionIntroductionThree Tales of One CommunityThe Soap Opera and Its AudienceTV for the Less Intelligent?Interpreting and Comparing Perspectives in the Audience CommunityIt′s Only a SoapCriticism, Creativity and Solidarity′I Think of Them as Friends′Interpersonal Relationships in the On-Line CommunityThe Development of Individual IdentityFutureflashFive Years LaterConclusionTune In Tomorrow