Quote:
Originally Posted by meat_loaf2008
being a fan to me means that i support meat in everything he does, whether i like it or not, and I even try to promote meats work to my friends, hell, i even sing his songs and do my own tribute show at various events around the state for charities when i can be arsed. I have never seen meat live, but i find other ways of supporting him. Isn't that what matters?
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Of course, supporting the artist in whatever way you can or is right for you is what matters.
I don't think there is any checklist to pass to be considered a fan.
Quote:
Originally Posted by suzieq
I'm going to really think about this one before posting however, a quick look up and three references will take a literal definition of fan (short for fanatic) as: marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion (Merriam Webster online) OR Fanaticism is a belief or behavior involving uncritical zeal or with an obsessive enthusiasm for a pastime or hobby (Wiki) OR a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal, as in religion or politics (Dictionary.com).
I see a common word here: uncritical
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I know you didn't write these definitions, but I nonetheless disagree with the notion that to be a fan (of anyone/anything) you have to be totally uncritical. Take away the emotional component of the "relationship" between artist and fan (and I say this purely from the fan perspective, obviously), and bottom line, you are a consumer. The artist is selling a product. In that aspect, I'm not going to buy a product I don't like, even if that product is a record by my favorite artist. Of course, if the artist is my favorite, the chances of my disliking one of their records so much that I wouldn't buy it are small. I just don't feel that I'm obligated to buy it (or say that I like it) or turn in my fan membership card.