Improbable Insights

Star Wars. Star Trek. Mass Effect. The Elder Scrolls. Firefly. Lord of the Rings. What do these have in common? These are creative endeavors whose fans extend and enhance the original creations. Independent films, online video, game mods, cosplay are all creations of fans, and serve to extend and enhance the enjoyment of these shared universes, sometimes long after they've been abandoned by their creators. What is it about these universes, and not others, that generate such enthusiasm and devotion among the fanbase? Meaning Let's look at a few examples of enthusiastic fans doing cool stuff with their passions. First, an unknown person posted a PSA of sorts from the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office. Many more similar examples exist, which illustrates just how deeply Star Wars has embedded itself into our pop culture. [caption id="attachment_279" align="alignleft" width="296"] This Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office "PSA" is only one example of many.[/caption] Other examples of fan art permeate the Intern