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?”
