I'm a false fan. A tourist. I learn the lingo, grasp the basic ideas, spout the main precepts, but never completely give myself over. I act like I'm into the fad but remain outside it, analysing how it affects others, watching the media, monitoring the ebbs and flows, moving on; I suppose I place myself at an intellectual distance from fandom.
Or at least I had, until I caught Westerosis, aka Game of Thrones Fever, or A Curse of Ice and Fire. Yep; I fell for it, big time.
It was weird. I set up my usual defences, became abreast of the basic ideas, and readied myself to spectate. And then before long, gradually, but inexorably, I was hooked. I think I know the reasons, and have more understanding now of fan obsession, but I can also comment quite candidly as I am in the mode right now. If you are too, welcome fellow traveller!
More on all of that, and how it fits with this unit later, firstly a brief intro for those who have managed to avoid this cultural phenomenon.
American author George R. R. Martin's bestselling fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire began in 1996 and is now five novels through an expected seven novel series. American TV giant HBO began showing their adaptation Game of Thrones in 2011, and it is has just completed its fifth season, with at least two and possibly three to come. The author is effectively staying just ahead of the 'showrunners', as the TV producers are called, but is not expected to complete the novels until after the final TV season.
This dance between the novels and their TV adaptation is unique, and, while not necessarily dependent on modern technology, their popularity is certainly much more possible due to the massive advances in film production and special effects, and the influence of fans and their accompanying thirst for merchandise, DVDs, and books. And fans have taken all shapes and sizes, resulting in Game of Thrones earning the dubious honour of most downloaded show with 13 million illegal downloads of the recent season finale.
So, why the fuss? The success of the show is not hard to pin down: great actors, great directors, great cinematography, design, costume and scenery, great scripts, all based on pretty well-written books with great characters, settings and story arcs.
The story is full of contradictions. There are many main characters who are children, but the books and especially the TV show aren't for kids.
There's plenty of fodder for interested fans out there. Fan fiction is rife, with hundreds of examples for those who want to explore the world further, including The Eyes See True, which is longer than any of Martin's actual series novels. Merchandise like the POP characters below abound, along with Game of Thrones versions of the classic board games Risk and Monopoly.
But where does participatory culture tip over into obsessive fandom? I suspect that sort of fandom is closer to an addiction, where the addict gives up all else to chase their dragon. That sort of fandom appears easier to become addicted to today: I don't have the time a teenager would to check different social media, re-read books or re-watch DVDs. I'm wondering if anyone else out there has had any experiences with hardcore teenaged fans?
This, my sort of fandom, can be dipped in and out of, thrown on and off like a cosplay skin, still identified for what it is while enjoying the experience. I suspect for many non-obsessive fans it's the same. It's like it's OK to be a fan as long as you know you're a fan.
I know it's a fad, and I've learned that maybe I'm not immune to fads, just immune to obsession.