fandom

My gracious, it seems like I have not posted anything for ages. Hello.

Before I officially begin my post I just wanted to say that Eric is home from India! I have no motivation to do homework now (which is wrong, I know), but life is so good.

Fandom. What does it mean to be a "normal" fan and an "obsessive" fan? When I think about this question I think about the different types of families. Every family is different and with that comes different standards, beliefs, and family dynamics. Fandom is along those same lines. Depending on what culture you are in, normal fandom may mean different things. A child who really likes Miley Cyrus or other characters like that, and wants all of things associated with those characters, usually isn't looked down upon by others. Most of the time parents give in to those desires, maybe even fueling unhealthy desires in their children.

When I think of obsessive fandom, automatically I think of "Twilight" fans. Many of the fans seem to develop parasocial relationships with the characters, getting emotionally attached to characters who aren't even real. With a release of a book or movie, many line up in the character's outfits giddy and excited.

But really, can we say when a person is obsessed? Perhaps when they confuse the real world with the other worlds of movies and books and etc. Maybe I am obsessed with something and I don't even realize it. I enjoy watching LOST and I make sure that my Wednesday night is open from 9-10pm. There are many conversations that take place between myself and others concerning LOST. Attempting to figure out the plot is exciting to my friends and I. Would I consider myself obsessed? No, I don't think so. I'm not consumed with thoughts of LOST, I just enjoy it.