Analysis

I guess what I noticed from the story of these two members, is that 501st troops seem to have strong bonds with those they don't even know. Maybe it's because they share the same passion for Star Wars or maybe because it's based on other external factors, but they seem to be willing to make large sacrifices for one another. 

I also am beginning to realize that a majority of these members appear to be in their upper 30's or older, a much more mature crowd. I think adults are less likely to haze and be more trusting of one another in this kind of setting.

Oh and here's a link to the story on Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=4498571&referralPlaylistId=playlist

Kidney transplant update

SHortTrooper Imperial Soldier Posts: 702 Location: Ottawa,Il

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:03 am    Post subject: Jeff ROmanoff was the recipient of the kidney...They put out a call to the 501st event earlier this year at a Convention and asked if any one was willing to be tested for a donor kidney. Eric Seaman had seen jeff in pain during the event and submitted to a match test and he matched.!. . They met at an event in earlier this year in Philadelphia and the transplant happened on April 3rd of this year at the CLevland Clinic. Eric literally saved Jeff's life...  They showed about 5 501st members in costume and there was a Darth Vader, a Biker Scout, a JAngo Fett, (Sorry not a Bob Fett, my bad...) and a Sand Trooper and a Storm Trooper there......  Way to go guys and Thank God for a match and have a speedy recovery from the surgery!  ShortTRooper (Diana) _________________

I found it

http://www.midwestgarrison.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9417

I found a very interesting and revealing section of the forums while I was cruising around the site today. A thread got started where people introduce themselves and tell a little about who they are. The information gets pretty personal and they even include pictures of their family members. I must say that these members do not seem to be holding anything back. Their openness is almost contagious. I commented on a thread about whether an Xbox 360 or PS3 was better and I feel myself being gradually sucked into their world. I feel that although I may not know these people, they are putting themselves out there to a point where I feel like I do. 

I'm in!

I've already posted a question on the forum asking how much a typical stormtrooper outfit would cost. What I hope to find out is as a new member, why would people be motivated to help me make a costume? After all, they know nothing about me and I haven't contributed to the group yet. But then again, it couldn't hurt to help.

Love and Leia

I found an interesting webpage of two members who got married after participating in the 501st. When you're marrying someone for life, it seems that this is hardly a community of exit.

http://www.BlastyLava.com/

New word

Saw someone got a huge Vader helmet for their birthday from the Japanese Garrison. People share a lot of common interests in this group.Publish Post

Great Success!

Apparently I wasn't trying to join the forum correctly but have since registered my username on the site. Hopefully "DarkDarth" will join the ranks of the 501st by tomorrow. 

Shut Out

I'm having a hard time getting onto the forums to ask members questions. I guess to even comment on the forums you need to prove you have a professional Star Wars costume. The thing is, how is one supposed to make a professional costume when they can't even get a hold of people who have already made one? I have resorted to sending e-mails to a few members to see if they would be willing to respond to my questions directly, which kinda makes me lose my "non-participatory" method of observation. Hopefully, I will get a positive response from members. They seem nice enough...right? 

*Relating to Question* Maybe this hard barrier to entry makes this not a "community of exit" and keeps the riff-raff out. I mean, how many Star Wars bashers are going to spend hundreds of dollars constructing a suit just to get kicked from the site?

501st Event

Dedication

One legion member is donating his kidney to one of his friends in the 501st. I know what group I''m joining if my liver takes a turn for the worst. 

Picture of community members at book signing

Whoever made that R2D2, I'm impressed.

My Question

A recent guest lecturer spoke the other day about how the Internet promotes limited liability because we can leave without people noticing. This provides a harmful environment for fostering a community because communities need sustained involvement for them to remain communities. After all, our high school community would have been much different if students only remained together for a week.

This lecture made me think, "What holds a community together and keeps people involved?" My first thought was that people need to feel welcomed, and think that their participation in the community will have an impact. Everyone goes into college hoping to change the world so why would an online community be any different? Additionally, people want to remain individuals while also being part of a larger group, a thought process that is extremely American. 

But what makes group members feel welcome and encourages them to participate?

My thought: Trust.

Trust is what binds people together and allows people to open up about themselves and share intimate details. These personal relation foster deeper relationships and hold community members together in a way that an anonymous group can't. 

My question: How is trust established in the community and what is its importance.

Here are some of my initial thoughts about why people trust each other in the 501st. 

1. Reveal Indentity because you will meet them in real life

2. Advice on costumes

3. Private forums

4. Charity events (no money involved)

5. Have to give up personal information because they attened area-specific events

6. United around common goal

7. Not political or controversial or religion based

8. You give and you get (info and praise)

9. Recognized for your awards so you want people to know who you are = donations you make

10. Run for office, needs transparency

11. Not embarrassing or private information or advertising

More later...