What is fanaticism?

Fandom is an unusual level of devotion to a particular subject, ranging from a sports team to a science fiction franchise. Zealots may transgress social norms in pursuit of their interests and may alienate or annoy people with their zeal. Historically, this term has been closely associated with religious fanaticism, but many other topics can become fixation or obsession.

Several things can characterize fanaticism. One is a sense of devotion with minimal critical analysis or thought, often combined with intolerance for people who challenge or question the topic of interest. This can differentiate fans from more casual fans and people who share the interest; a fanatic will strenuously resist anything that might damage the reputation of her interests. Fans can also be very single-minded and intense, and it can be hard to redirect their attentions to other topics.

Strong emotions can surround fanaticism; people may feel especially connected to a topic and may spend a considerable amount of time researching it to learn more about it. His interest is very deep and comprehensive; anything vaguely related is a grain of salt for the fanatic. This is in contrast to people who may be interested in a topic and can spend time researching and compiling data, but generally have limits on their levels of dedication.

In some individuals, fanaticism can become unhealthy. Single-issue individuals may not have balanced interests and social lives and may have trouble interacting with other people, finding jobs, and successfully navigating social situations. When a fan becomes consumed with a particular topic, that person may forget other activities and responsibilities and may spend time, as well as money, chasing all the related information. A fan could, for example, attend all the concerts organized by a favorite pop artist.

Fanaticism can also have political and social consequences. Extreme interpretations of religious ideologies and absolutist religious beliefs can contribute to sectarian violence as well as repressive acts of legislation. Sports fanaticism can lead to riots that can turn violent and result in the deaths of participants. In their eagerness to champion their cause, fans may threaten or harm detractors, such as a critic offering less favorable treatment of a movie with a large fan following.

The signs of fanaticism can sometimes be difficult to identify in its early stages. The interests pursued by fans are normal, and the change from simply following something closely to becoming extremely jealous can happen slowly.

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