Fandoms: The Good, The Bad and The Downright Crazy!

Anyone who uses Twitter, Tumbler, Facebook, and so on knows all too well the presence of fandoms. There are fandoms for everything, and I do mean everything! I have seen pages and account dedicated to a character’s missing shoe, another for a celebrity’s posterior, and even another’s tie. I must admit, I myself would say I am amongst a few of these fandoms myself, but at what point does the “fan” depict the sad fact that the term derives from fanatic?

Stars would be nothing really if not for their fans, but there comes a point when people take things to a scary level and this is what I wish to discuss in this article. Stalking, assault, riots? Why would someone commit such acts over someone/something they supposedly love? Love… Another vein of the fandom that gets overly dramatized. People declaring love to a person or character they have never met is just silly. Actual love takes growth and understanding not Lust, which is inevitably what the individual is feeling.

When a celebrity makes themselves available for the public it is not fair to attack them, I do not care if “they know what they are getting themselves into”, it is just not right. They are people too, albeit in the public eye and talented, but human none the less. I have read where fans physically grope a star or cause fights with others all to get to the star. How can you expect to be well received by someone if you are acting in such a manner that would constitute a restraining order? That is not love, that is crazy,

I understand all too well the sensation that you have a connection to someone from what you see and hear that person discuss but remember, that person has never met you and has no idea who you are. You can not just walk up to someone, despite the popular song, and say “Hey, I just met you but I need to marry you”. Think about that for just a moment, really let it sink in. You are standing talking to a friend or something and some stranger walks up to you, grabs your hand and says “Oh my God I love you”.

Would you not think the person was odd at the very least? I am doing my best to avoid naming anyone as I do not wish to insight a war but try to think things out before you go “fangirling”. If you honestly want to know the star hyperventilating and screaming will not be the best approach. Again, I very much understand the whole swooning scene, just try not to ruin a whole entire fandom with your actions. You would be very disappointed if the celebrity you are chasing suddenly has to stop allowing fans to meet and greet, sign autographs and even take selfies.

I am in no way saying we can not be moved to tears by an actor, singer, what have you, That is after all what they are trying to accomplish with their work. All I am trying to get at is how to conduct oneself in the presence of such talent. Similar to an old cartoon I remember from childhood (which is still around) called “Goofus & Gallant”. Just do your best to represent the positive side of a fandom. Do tell the person you admire their work or thought something was particularly moving. Don’t Grab their crotch while screaming and acting like you escaped the psych ward.

In conclusion, I know that many will know of whom I speak and as for the accounts and pages I mentioned above, yes, I do follow the Windsor knot and missing shoe since I am after all a fangirl myself. There is a lot of good out there in the fandom world, many humorous pages and sincere groups. Unfortunately the ugly few give us a bad wrap and that was all I really wanted to address here. I love my Hiddlesisters and fellow SuperWhoLockians dearly and I pray my fellow Fannibles do not view this post as rude!  Just keep calm and love your fandoms.