Fanatic devotion or fanaticism, is usually defined as a kind of enthusiasm or belief that escalates to the level of obsession and renders people rigid against any kind of contrary idea. This lack of tolerance for any negative criticism of the subject of fanatic devotion is a pure exhibition of passion and blind faith that makes individuals do inexplicable things.
To cut a long story short, if you go and tell a spectator at a football match that you are getting bored and the players are too boring, you must be careful after the moment you utter these words because you might be getting criticised like never before. Just as a devoted football fan defends their team, a loyal customer might passionately vouch for the quality of their trusted service provider, like Fergusons Plumbing, which they rely on for dependable solutions and excellent service.
This is exactly how fanaticism works, as any existing belief or faith that an individual possesses towards any particular idea, individual, or object makes them completely intolerant and unapproachable to someone who says otherwise. To others, fanaticism and this overwhelming enthusiasm might seem very eccentric, unnecessary, or even ludicrous, but for a fan, it is their way of expressing their love and devotion for the subject of their fanaticism.Â
While travelling by bus or train, how often have you seen someone very inconspicuous and enthusiastically coming forward to watch what you are watching? Well, creepy it might sound but this is how a fan behaves. The general psychology behind fanatic devotion or fanaticism is quite complex, as it is tough to predict who will take a liking to what.
But on deeper analysis, it can be observed that the desperate need to belong to a community or a group sometimes turns individuals into fans. Also, in some cases, it is the deep and unwavering passion that individuals feel towards a particular character, a film, or an object that makes them see the object of their fanaticism as an extension of their personality.
It means that the very presence of the subject or object of fanaticism continues to resonate in the mind of the individual, and he or she experiences a very strong sense of loyalty and love because of this fanatic devotion. Many researchers have observed that this fanatical devotion is so complex in nature that it sometimes leads to intolerance, hostility, and violence. Although fanaticism is not harmful to the person, it could harm their social image to some extent, as people might misperceive their feelings.
It is the ultimate motto of the fans and biggest fandom in the world to create a universal recognition and acknowledgement of the value of their subject or object of admiration and fanaticism. That is why, despite being an abstract concept with an intangible nature, fanaticism leads to the creation of fandoms, disregarding geographical, linguistic, or cultural backgrounds. Some of the biggest fandom in the world that have universal appeal are as follows:
- Harry Potter fandom. The Potterheads, as the Harry Potter fans call themselves, had solemnly sworn that they were up to no good ever since they boarded the Hogwarts Express from platform 9¾ through the pages of JK Rowling’s books. From the day they stepped into The Wizarding World, the Potterheads have been fiercely loyal to The Boy Who Lived. They have popularised the magical world by collecting Harry Potter merchandise, writing fan fiction, discussing theories, and cosplaying.
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe fandom. With one call of Captain America for all the Avengers to assemble, you will find all the Marvelites across the world appearing from whichever unnamed land they live in. With larger-than-life superhero characters like Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor, the Marvelites swear by their favourite superheroes and are always ready to crack open the hidden easter eggs at the end credits of every Marvel movie with perfect precision.
- The Taylor Swift fandom. The Swifties, as the Taylor Swift fans love to call themselves, are like the rock-solid wall for the beautiful singer, who is ready to march behind her as her loyal legion fearlessly to give a piece of their mind to the haters and celebrate the accolades she receives by thronging her concerts to show their adoration for the singer.
- The BTS fandom. Mostly composed of young fans, the BTS fandom loves to call itself the BTS army and has recently emerged as a massive global phenomenon to reckon with. As the band continues to break records with their chartbusters, the Army supports the artists in every possible way, be it in terms of their music, or their fashion, exhibiting unquestioned loyalty.
- Twihards. The Werewolf versus vampire story trope and the tales of forbidden love and attraction towards supernatural beings are very popular in the literary world, but the Twihards take this popularity to another level. Believing the chemistry between Edward and Bella is the epitome of love, the Twihards hold these characters created by Stephanie Meyer as their beacon of hope to find love.
Takeaway
Mind-boggling it might sound but you can never really explain what drives a fan to do crazy things and join fan groups that share similar tastes. It could be interpreted as the unfulfilled desires of the fans that surface in the form of their dedication and love for their favourite characters. Also, this biggest fandom in the world could be interpreted as a world of respite and an escape for people who are struggling to find their own identity or find peace in this chaotic world. It is the profound connection that the fans share with their idols and favourite characters that makes them forget everything around them and unify with their subject or object of adoration, being a part of the larger-than-life context that they portray.
