Fandoms Perception vs Reality

   The perceptions Of Fandoms are greatly misconstrued. They are portrayed as overly obsessed with one thing, no social skills whatsoever and they fawn over the strangest of things. When really this is not true for most of those who engage in the Fandom lifestyle. The part of the fandom that is usually highlighted by social media are the insane overly obsessed fans who have nothing better to do with their lives then sit around and stress over every single detail of the object of their obsession. The entirety of the fans in the fandom can not be judged by the few moronic imbeciles that take it too far by going on rage induced rampages and destroying public and personal property. This is not what fandoms are about. They are about community and acceptance for those that share a deep respect and love of something.

   Fans in Fandoms are portrayed as being overly obsessed with whatever the fandom is about. If the fandom is about tv or video games the fans are shown as having an unhealthy obsession with whatever it is they like. It supposedly consumes their life and keeps them from having a normal life, when in reality “ Rather than blind devotion, fandom is ‘a means of expressing one's sense of self and one's communal relation with others within our complex society. “ according to the journal of popular culture. Fans share a mutual love for the object of what the fandom is about. The create a community all themselves where they can feel accepted and can get away from the eye of social norms. The are very much like others in  many ways. They enjoy something and then they gather up groups of people who enjoy the same thing, they have discussions and crack jokes much like extracurricular clubs at local schools across the nation. “ These fan communities construct a world as rich and intricate as any traditional perception of high or real culture. Both the practice of fandom and its object of enthusiasm — TV. shows, rock 'n roll bands, movie stars, romance novels, etc. — are usually perceived with disdain within the dominant value system.” Says the Journal of popular culture. Thus showing that people engaging in the life are not obsessed, they just simply create a community in which they can feel safe as well as act like themselves and be accepted for it, if not celebrated.

   Fans in fandoms have been called anti social or have a lack of social skills. This is utter nonsense. Fans create communities where they can converse with other fans and non fans such as comic con in san diego. “Often, members of a fandom connect with each other through things like conventions and zines.” says wisegeek.com  They are not anti social or lacking in social skills they just prefer to converse with others that share common interests with them. They open up in communities where they feel they can be themselves. Those who are in fandoms feel that they are restricted from talking to others about what they love for fear of social scorn so when they join a fandom they feel as though they finally are able to open up. This feeling of acceptance allows them to talk freely to others about the things they love and find amusing. Chances are the other person will reciprocate those feelings and engage in a rousing conversation. Fandoms have taken to the internet to talk to fans around the world. There are numerous sites for art music and forums for people to chat on. “These sites have made it much easier for members of a fandom to connect, even if they never meet in the real world.” states wisegeek.com. Yet our society wants to call those that engage in fandoms antisocial. They miss the value of conventions and the internet and they pass over how it helps others express themselves. “There are all sorts of implications for a society that understands valuation but not value --- not least of which is that it winds up degrading actual value.” says Neil Gabler of the Los angeles times. Social media puts a brand on these people and other begin to judge those engaging in fandoms unfairly based on what social media has to say rather than looking up facts for themselves. “But there may be something even worse: It can lead to valuation of people,” States reporter Neil Gabler of the Los Angeles times. People begin to value the connections those in the fandoms make with others poorly. They think that a connection with others on the internet is not a real connection. But those in the fandom feel very strongly about the connections they make and vice versa.

   Society deems their love of movies and media, people and comics strange. But how much more strange is there love of the fictional and nonfictional work then Sports fans love of men chasing a ball around a field? The term Fandom was originally used to describe those who loved the Sports and gathered in stadiums to celebrate their love of it, but has since changed to include everything from harry potter books to the call of duty game. “Although some people thought the term sprung to life when the use of the internet became widespread, “fandom” is actually an old word. According to the oxford english dictionary, the first recorded use of it was in 1903, to describe sports fans.” According to the website wisegeek.com.  So how is it that sports which to many non sports fans makes no sense is something to be celebrated world wide and not the ability to express oneself? Fandoms have been put in place to uplift those who enjoy certain books, movies, music and people.

     So most fans in fandoms are not by any means people obsessed with silly things who lack skills to communicate like normal human beings. So the next time you walk passed a Trekkie, Whovian, potterhead, pokemon master or other fan in any fandom don't judge them as antisocial weirdos, stop and chat with them. You may just find that they are quite the interesting person and vice versa. By doing this you're making the world a tad bit less judgemental and thats a world we all want to live in.