Fans, fanatics and hero worship.
Discussion
I'm definitely getting the feeling I'm the odd one out on this - seems to me that everyone I know is a fanatical about, or even goes to the lengths of hero worship of at least one person / thing.
I don't get it. Never have. Reading the Hamilton thread, you get the typical bad mouthing from die hard Ferrari fanatics - the racing isn't important, just their team. In the office here they take the piss out of me because they are all Portsmouth supporters (they keep laughing at me when Southampton lose, they don't seem to be able to grasp that I don't like Southampton, or any other football team, it means nothing to me!). The football isn't important, just their team winning. Some people will buy every record an artist ever records, go to every gig they ever do, just because "it's so and so", not because it's a great record.
Anybody else here go with more basic principles? I'll buy a record if I like it, regardless of the artist. I'll enjoy a motor race because I enjoy watching a dozen or so cars hammering round a track at the edge of their ability, but I would rather see a close, tense race where any one of those on the track could win, rather than seeing "my" driver sail away to a 2 min clear victory. I was very excited by Hamiltons win this weekend - not because I think Hamilton is the leading light in the personality stakes, more because of the tension the race caused. I do think he deserved it after showing some excellent racing abilities but I'm not going to raise his status to that of some God.
So, all you fanatics - why?
I don't get it. Never have. Reading the Hamilton thread, you get the typical bad mouthing from die hard Ferrari fanatics - the racing isn't important, just their team. In the office here they take the piss out of me because they are all Portsmouth supporters (they keep laughing at me when Southampton lose, they don't seem to be able to grasp that I don't like Southampton, or any other football team, it means nothing to me!). The football isn't important, just their team winning. Some people will buy every record an artist ever records, go to every gig they ever do, just because "it's so and so", not because it's a great record.
Anybody else here go with more basic principles? I'll buy a record if I like it, regardless of the artist. I'll enjoy a motor race because I enjoy watching a dozen or so cars hammering round a track at the edge of their ability, but I would rather see a close, tense race where any one of those on the track could win, rather than seeing "my" driver sail away to a 2 min clear victory. I was very excited by Hamiltons win this weekend - not because I think Hamilton is the leading light in the personality stakes, more because of the tension the race caused. I do think he deserved it after showing some excellent racing abilities but I'm not going to raise his status to that of some God.
So, all you fanatics - why?
I'm the same. I just can't get excited by anyone in the public eye. There are those I respect, like David Attenborough, but none I have to watch on TV if they are on, no bands I have to buy albums for (though obviously I have my favourites), no person that I need to idolise as someone to aspire to. It always seems a bit vicarious and I'd rather concentrate on my own life, ta.
CosmicMatt said:
Davi can I have your autograph?
that's the other part of this that gets me - A couple of chaps I know go to Goodwood FOS and Revival. They go for the whole weekend, but barely even look around the show. They pitch up along side the drivers walkway and get autographs?! WHY?! "ooooh look, some bloke I've not even constructed a proper sentence with, he squiggled on a piece of paper for me!" Whoopie feckin do. Now a fair few of those drivers I'd love to sit down for a pint with, ask about how it felt, try and glean a bit of insight into their experiences, but a smudge from a Bic on a scrap of paper? How exactly will that enrichen my life?Edited by Davi on Monday 3rd November 15:09
Davi said:
CosmicMatt said:
Davi can I have your autograph?
that's the other part of this that gets me - A couple of chaps I know go to Goodwood FOS and Revival. They go for the whole weekend, but barely even look around the show. They pitch up along side the drivers walkway and get autographs?! WHY?! "ooooh look, some bloke I've not even constructed a proper sentence with, he squiggled on a piece of paper for me!" Whoopie feckin do. Now a fair few of those drivers I'd love to sit down for a pint with, ask about how it felt, try and glean a bit of insight into their experiences, but a smudge from a Bic on a scrap of paper? How exactly will that enrichen my life?Edited by Davi on Monday 3rd November 15:09
I've never quite got the 'whole' crazed and fanatical attributes that some people foster - I also would love to sit down with a pint etc. but camping out all night in the pissing down rain to get an autograph...the question that has to be asked is - Why?
Risotto said:
The fact that you've made nearly 11,000 contributions to a website dedicated to motoring suggests you are fanatical about something after all! 
Edited by Risotto on Monday 3rd November 15:12
unfortunately not, that just says I'm bored a lot at the moment and this is a convenient release. An old work colleague of mine was a Star Wars nut (yes, I do work in IT ) After seeing the first of the new films he spent a good week or two s
gging it off, how they'd ruined it, how it was all CGI for the kids, etc, etc.
A few months later, he was all excited because he'd managed to pre-order it on DVD. When I asked him why he bought a film he hated, his answer was 'Because it's Star Wars I HAVE to have it'
Makes no sense to me.
) After seeing the first of the new films he spent a good week or two sgging it off, how they'd ruined it, how it was all CGI for the kids, etc, etc. A few months later, he was all excited because he'd managed to pre-order it on DVD. When I asked him why he bought a film he hated, his answer was 'Because it's Star Wars I HAVE to have it'
Makes no sense to me.
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