I attended WonderCon 09 and sat in on a number of writing panels and workshops. This was my very first convention of any kind and it reminds me of a thing. Fandom is fearsome. Fandom isn't even a real word yet we all should know it means being a fan and the collective humanity that are fans of any thing. And fan is short for fanatic. Fanatic people are fearsome. This can be a damaging force. I have seen the palpable fear in the eyes of the celebrities selling signatures. I have heard anecdotes from people who have been frightened by the actions of fans. Fanatics are selfish. They wish to consume the objects of their desire. Raw, preferably. With olive oil, black pepper and a smear of roasted garlic paste when at all possible. Fanatics will trample old men under foot to get to the objects of their affection. They will trample old women as well. This is not behavior that reflects well. It is often committed by people wearing advertising for commercial franchises. This has great potential to connect the behavior to the franchise, people, so please slow down for humans with naturally silver hair, PLEASE? How about slowing down for everything? If someone else buys that rare comic book before you then it's fate, get over it. To the reserved and respectful fans out there, thank you for setting an example. |
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