We're in this together.

                                              We’re in this together.

Most people who are fans within the science fiction/comic book convention world are pretty laid back good hearted people. They go to shows, meet new people, discuss and share their fandom with others that share the same interests. Most are completely oblivious that there is a sort of dark side to their fandom as well. A side that the ones that are aware of it are embarrassed to be even remotely associated with it. And it’s mainly opinion based. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should not have an opinion or that your opinion has to be the same as everyone else. I always think a difference of opinion is a great thing. Just think what kind of world this would be if everyone thought the same. In my opinion, that’s not somewhere I want to live.

                 A while back I was having a conversation with a friend that makes me think of a question. “Why do you think you’re a bigger fan than me?” A person who I used to knows daughter happens to be the current Guinness Record holder for having the world’s largest Doctor Who memorabilia collection. I have personally read people’s vitriol comments about her and her family. I could not believe the things people were saying about a child. I know for a fact that she would save her money or birthday presents or gifts, etc. to add to her collection. But that’s neither here nor there. It’s not your money, so it can be spent however they want it to be. Sadly, there will always be someone out there that will not like you for your accomplishments. No matter what it is.

                 Now some people think that even though she has the largest recorded collection of Doctor Who memorabilia that she is automatically believes that she is a bigger fan than someone else. She would be the first to tell you that it’s not true. Does her massive collection make her a bigger fan that I am? Does her age make me a bigger fan than she is? The answer to me for both is no. Just because someone has an amount of collectibles for a certain genre more than another person doesn’t mean they’re a bigger fan than you are. And just because I’ve been a fan of the show since before she was born doesn’t mean that I am a bigger fan than she is. I use to go to more conventions than I do now. There is one local convention that I’ve completely quit going too. Simply because they have gotten so expensive, I can no longer afford to go. But those that can, good for them. I just can’t bring myself to pay over 100 USD on a single autograph. But a lot of people do. Which is why those prices keep going up and up.

 Do I spew hatred or anger because someone spends their money on expensive autographs or has a plethora (Three Amigos) of collectibles? I don’t. But there are some that do. Even when they or their actions are called out publically. When someone does this, they just come off as a jealous child crying to whomever will listen. Just because someone has what you do not. I WANT AN OOMPA LOOMA NOW!!

 Bottom line is, there is so much negativity going on in the world right now, do we really need it to leak into a place that fans go to escape that negativity? Do we really need to treat our fellow fans with anger because they have more memorabilia or prefer the female Doctor to the others? In my opinion, no. Well we shouldn’t. Because in the end, what does it matter. You don’t like a particular Doctor, cool. No one said you had to. That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. But don’t treat someone like garbage because they do or don’t (yes it goes both ways). You’re both fans of the same thing. Enjoy that fandom and “Would you like a Jelly Baby?”