Train Association
Within the model train associations, the members share this common sense of an ideal world (Stonies, 2016, p.201). They choose the community - this interest could easily be pursued individually - for various reasons: Some just don’t have the space at home to keep the model trains up for a longer period of time, but in general it is the attractive aspect of community (Stonies, 2016, p.202). The weekly meetings of these associations are characterized by the exchange of news, knowledge and daily life (Stonies, 2016, p.202). Showing knowledge often results in a game of competition, trying to demonstrate the highest level of competence in the context of model tains (Stonies, 2016, p.202). Part of this game is correcting each other, interrupting conversations and showing off detailed knowledge by using technical terms, even though it is not necessary (Stonies, 2016, p.202). elliott (1995) explains this specific technical language by saying “It feels important and difficult to understand, disguising the fact that model trains are toys” (p.14).
Bourdieu explains this behaviour with the phenomenon of male dominance: The game of competition serves the purpose of building hierarchies, but at the same time competition and hierarchy turn into a form of solidarity and community. This behaviour ist mostly observed in fields like business, politics, science, the military but also in associations, clubs and circles of friends (Stonies, 2016, p.198).