Huh. What else is a community, then, but a shared interest and grouping around to share it? Comparing it to the flist/reading list distinction implies some sort of trust distinction, but I'm not sure that that is what makes a community. In some cases, trust or shared values can form a community; however that's not fandom's nucleus, I think.

I agree with you about how you can only shape what you... is take in too broad? willingly take in? dunno.