ETA: For those who are coming to this decision from metafandom or fpage and do not know me: I work these sorts of ideas out by writing about them. I value all input and critique, but please do *not* take this post as my final take on the topic. It is, in fact, the first of what may become a series of takes on it as I work through some of the implications for myself as a fan and an academic and an ethical person (not that those are all separate categories, at least I hope not!). So jump in and have fun, but realize that I'm *thinking* in writing, and this is not my final position nor my full stance on anything (friends who know me know that I'd never be so brief!)

In a locked post, I read a fascinating comment by someone trained in anthropology equating fan studies to colonial anthropology, expressing concerns over the privileged/outside status academics (or aca-fen) speaking "for" the fans. possibly in venues were fans were not allowed to speak.

Since I'm always interested in disciplinary issues and discourses, and I've heard this discussion before, I'm leaping into my own discussion (the post was very nuanced, complex, fascinating, and raised some important issues, but since I cannot link and refuse to summarize, I'll just have to hope maybe the writer will be willing to talk over here as well!)

( cut for extreme length )