Editors Note: ‘Fan Means More than Fanatic’
The Merriam-Webster 11th Collegiate Dictionary 2002 edition features this definition of fanatic: ‘marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion’. Using this definition as a base to define exactly what the term ‘fan’ denotes is as difficult as defining the word ‘color’.
There are so many variant shades and types of fans in the world– to classify them all in one definition is almost impossible.
Fan can mean someone who generally likes another person’s approach to singing, dancing, writing, acting, golfing, etc. , or it can mean, on the extreme scale, someone who is willing to give up their everyday existence to emulate and embrace another individual’s talents and personality. Where do we as JYJCY, JYJ, or HoMin fans fall on this measurement line?
It is going to vary from individual to individual based upon several factors:
a. age
b. gender
c. country of origin
d. musical preferences
c. personal intentions……….
I could keep going, but there are too many reasons to list as to why someone reacts to another person so intensely, especially within a fandom base of such world-wide status. What is important is not so much whether the fan supports their person(s) of choice but how they support them. Normally support comes in the form of buying albums, items, etc.; and attending concerts that are produced by (in our instance) five energetic, talented, appealing young males who invest more energy into us than we give. What goes beyond the norm is the intensity of love that motivates the fandom to give beyond that energy level into the realm of supporting not only the stars(s) themselves, but also offering support to the causes that these individual stars embrace. Then you have the possibility of a true ‘fanatic’ that fits the dictionary definition–someone who is extremely supportive and who loves unconditionally.
I believe that I can safely say that the majority of us fit this description. That means that the term fanatic, which can be viewed as negative, becomes a positive. I believe that JYJCY and many others have good moral fiber that helps inspire others to philanthropic behavior. The recipients of this benevolence — the young and the elderly; hungry, handicapped or homeless( just as examples) ; or just those who have need of some encouragement will benefit from the love poured out on them by the fandom.
What would make me extremely happy would be the ability of this fandom to pour out that kind of love on each other. Strength and resources increase in proportion to numbers. A unified fandom would mean more work accomplished and much greater influence. I applaud our sisters and brothers, and encourage them to keep pursuing causes that help to make this world a better place.
Credit; Momma Cha @jyjfantalk.com
