fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #458 ]

⌈ Secret Post #458 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Happy birthday to

shahni!

Secrets Left to Post: 12 pages, 291 secrets from Secret Submission Post #066.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 1 - broken links ], [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 - not!secrets ], [ 1 - not!fandom ], [ 1 2 - too big ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

3. Aww. Well, I I've been on both sides of the fence. Or, actually, I'm always kind of on both sides I guess. Fandom is pretty much the biggest thing in my life, and that's what makes me feel life is worth living. An episode of any one of my favorite TV shows literally makes my day. But once I start thinking about it, like you, I feel really, really pathetic. Why can't we live our lives like normal people - have real friends, be content and happy just hanging around with them?

3 continued, and 7. I have to wonder, though, is it so wrong to live your life for fandom - essentially worshipping fictional characters and living one's life thinking about them constantly and what they would do in this and that situation, and gaining happiness and meaning from the way you feel about them - when religious people do the same thing? No offense to religious people, but I believe this description fits religion and spirituality to a T. I used to be a super-serious Roman Catholic, as I was raised to be one, but then I started thinking for myself, and realized I just didn't believe any of it. Three years of severe depression later, I think I simply transferred my former feelings from the supposed deity to fandom.

I believe that human nature dictates that we find something like that in our lives to give us meaning, whether it be a religion, a significant other, or... well, fandom. It seems like the other atheists that are consistently depressed don't have an anchor like that - it's very frightening just floating around with nothing to tie you down to earth. (Not that us fans are really considered "down to earth," lol). And I found that I don't believe in God, and I sure as hell don't believe in putting much faith or trust in people, as I always seem to be let down, so fandom just so happens to fit. Who's to say that this is a bad thing? I see so many secrets talking about how ashamed they are of some obsession they have, or how they feel so lame for being in fandom. In Christianity, obsession with Jesus is an excuse to act like you're better than everyone else! Why can't we have that, too? (Not feeling better than everyone else, just the positive spin on it). Just because the norms of society dictate that we're all a bunch of loserly pathetic nerds at the lowest rung of the social food chain doesn't mean we have to stand for it, or agree with them. We have just as much right to find "meaning" as they do. But once you feel ashamed for the very thing that makes you happy, they've won. Don't let other people dictate the way you live your life, because it's yours, and it's going to be over before you know it.

GEEBUS, 3 and 7, look at what you made me do! xD

15. OMG, ME TOO! That part was fricking scary! I haven't seen it to this very day.

22. I lol'ed.

43. Join the club.

60. xD Dude, my friend used to be obsessed with Tobias, so I wrote these fake love notes from him to her and left them in her desk (this was fourth grade, mind you). But no, I used to do that too. Animorph love! :P

We have just as much right to find "meaning" as they do. But once you feel ashamed for the very thing that makes you happy, they've won.

Ironically, I think this is one of the reasons why I'm still a Christian. (And, no, I don't think I'm "better than other people," quite the contrary. I also am able to think for myself, I'm a non-organized Christian, haven't been to church in more than a year/I have differences from some of of the sterotypical teachings). I just refuse to feel ashamed of my core faith because a lot of people think it's silly or stupid, or even "evil" in the case of some I've encountered...

Anyway, I can see where the OP is coming from, and where you are coming from, too. I believe a lot of meaning can be found in fiction/fandom and the inspiration we find in favorite stories can be something to hold onto. I have certainly been inspired by my favorite worlds and favorite characters - and if I did not already have a religion, I could see where fandom could become something almost resembling it for me.

Mostly, though secret 7 reminds me of the episode of Futurama where, in the future, Star Trek fandom became a religion that eventually became banned for being too obnoxious. XD

Ironically, I think this is one of the reasons why I'm still a Christian.

Well, if it makes you happy, then more power to you. ;) Really, I'm an atheist, but I have the utmost respect for people whose self-image isn't dependent on the way other people view them, and you sound like one of those people. Also, I do not think that every Christian feels they are better than everyone else, although I realize my phrasing was vague. I hope I didn't offend.

Glad you agree. :) I think we all can find inspiration in a lot of different places.

I've never watched Futurama, but that sounds hilarious. :P

Just be careful. I'm sorry if I got defensive. It's just whenever I see "Christians do X negative thing" and "I'm not religious, I think for myself" I see it as kind of *implying" "I'm not religious so I think I'm better," and "Christians/religous people don't/are incapable of thinking for themselves." It's because of a depressingly common attitude I've seen both on and offline, actually. I got the feeling that you didn't mean to come across that way, with the way you phrased everything else, just its good to be careful.

Futurama... yes, you must see it! The Star Trek episode is late on in the series (first series, they're finally getting around to making another). It was basically "What if a very popular but percieved-to-be-weird fandom actually made itself into a religion?" Futurama also features "Robotology" and "God" (which may or may not actually be a communication satilite that COLLIDED with God)! Much fun.

[ SECRET POST #458 ]

3, 7, 15, 22, 43, 60

Re: 7

Re: 7

Re: 7