The "Problem" With Fandom

As Rick and Morty fans rioted over Szechuan sauce many have raised the question: what is the problem with fandom?

The problem with fandom is that it’s looked at from an outsider’s perspective.

Critics have labeled the fandom as toxic: the domain of angry young men. They say the fan community has become a place not of love, but of hate. That it’s out of control.

It’s certainly true the fandom is not controlled. What exactly is supposed to control them? Fandom, any fandom, is a subculture. It is not and should not be under the control of any one person. Should any group of people be judged by its loudest or most immature members?

The defining trait of fan culture is passion. Passion can lead to positive or negative actions but overall the positive aspects drive the fandom. There are volumes of fan art, fiction, lore articles and videos, and chatter. It’s not always good, but sometimes it’s equal to the original. Fandom helps breathe life into a franchise. While general audiences or writers eventually get fatigued, fan communities help keep interest and viability in the work. A handful of fans even live the art in a way which sometimes comes off as weird, but certainly adds to the community and the original product.

That isn’t to say there are not problems in certain fandoms. Any time you get a large group of people together they often start acting in odd or unacceptable ways. Some people are influenced too much by group dynamics and some genuine jerks seek shelter and protection within fandom and other sub cultures. But these traits are not limited to nerds or fan culture. You will find those things at play everywhere. In-group out-group dynamics tend to turn people against each other based on arbitrary distinctions, and allow people to justify things that normally would not be acceptable. 

Fandom is no more toxic than any other part of our society.  Fandoms are made of people with different morals and interests, but united by their passion. The fandom ought to be adored for the love and work they pour into their hobby, not mocked and certain not targeted for public condemnation.

-Gedaemon