This week has seen a flood of Hobbit merchandise hit the stores — both online and off. So much so, that the cynical might think that’s all there is to Tolkien fandom these days.<\/p>\n
That’s why, this weekend (Saturday October 6 at 6pm New York time), Hall of Fire<\/a> will be asking the question: has merchandise become the default outlet for fan enthusiasm?<\/p>\n (By which i mean: the way “franchises” construct themselves now, as a culture are we becoming stuck in a mindset that we automatically express our fandom through (the collection of) merchandise?)<\/p>\n What do you think is the essential, defining thing that makes a Tolkien fan? What makes you — and others — authentic? Is it even possible to answer that question?<\/p>\n Is merchandise collection an exuberant outgrowth of your love for Tolkien? Or are we just suckers for a conga-line of corporate bloodsuckers out to inflate their profits and squash not-for-profit, volunteer fan projects?<\/p>\n Is there “good” merch and “bad” merch? How do you decide? Are their side benefits to merchandise? For example, do book tie-ins promote literacy? <\/p>\n And why do we so often seem to correlate “biggest fan” with the individual who has the most stuff?<\/p>\n These are the questions we hope to debate this weekend. So bring your thoughts (but also be sure to bring your politeness — we do not approve of personal abuse in Hall of Fire!) to Hall of Fire<\/a> on Sat Oct 6 at 6pm New York time when we’ll discuss merchandise, fandom and authenticity in the Hall of Fire.<\/p>\n Time zone conversions<\/b><\/p>\n Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help. Alternatively, head to our event time announcer<\/a> on Time and Date. <\/p>\n America: Europe: Asia-Pacific How long do your topic chats go for?<\/b><\/p>\n Our chats usually last an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation! However, our main room<\/a>, #theonering.net is open 24 hours a day. We don’t always talk Tolkien there, but if you have a burning question, you’ll usually find one or two of “the regulars” up for a chat!<\/p>\n Where \u2014 connection details<\/b><\/p>\n Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net \u2014 the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our embedded Mibbit client<\/a> that works inside your web browser. <\/p>\n
\n6.00pm EDT (New York)
\n5.00pm CDT (Chicago)
\n4.00pm MDT (Denver)
\n3.00pm PDT (Los Angeles)<\/p>\n
\n11.00pm GMT (London)
\nMidnight CET (Paris)
\n1.00am EET (Helsinki)<\/p>\n
\n8.00am AEST (Sunday) Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne
\n10.00am NZST (Sunday) Wellington<\/p>\n