When a fan mutates to a F.A.N.A.T.I.C

[Rsachi]

Fanatic
F. Feels happy listening to him/her
A. Analyses and discovers what's good in that artiste and that music
N. Negates all other musicians as no good
A. Advertises the artiste in all forums
T. Thumps his chest proclaiming his favourite
I. Insufferably opinionated
C. Cancerous in every conversation

At what stage am I? And You? And Us?

[rajeshnat]

Sachi,
FA is fine for me , but I am sure NATC is not - certainly that has to completely go.

As we keep on listening to more and more CM can we let go the I - I is very critical for each of us as rasikas - the only thing about I after a decade or so , you try to laugh at yourself that I of my past was way wrong then the I of present .

[Nick H]

Well known fact: my attachment to a particular artist and to that entire school of music might be seen as a certain fanaticism. I don't care! I like what I like, and I love what and whom I choose. That is such a basic human right that we don't even stop to consider it: it is one of life's built-in freedoms. The opposite is also true: we have the right to dislike what we dislike.

What I just don't get is why either should be expressed in terms of the other. They stand alone. For all those who have reached the 'C' stage of the above scale, would their love of their favoured one fade away if all those that they slag off to "big up" (I like that particular Simpsons-Americanism) their chosen idol ceased to perform or exist?

Human behaviour: it's weird. And we are all human. In fact, the way that I remember how to spell w.e.i.r.d is that it begins with we

[Rsachi]

Good one about weird!

[arasi]

Sachi,
Like Rajesh, I'm a mere 'F A' la la la lA la lA lA lA...

Nick,
I don't think you qualify to be a fanatic in the sense Sachi qualifies the word, and thank heavens for that.

Limitless joy a few favored artistes might bring, but it certainly does not limit us in listening to many others...

[SrinathK]

A fan becomes a fanatic when emotion gets the better of intelligence.

A fanboy is a more benign version.

It reminds me of Avatar strangely -- it's all about the balance. A fanatic lacks it altogether. In addition, there is a complete lack of awareness that there are other people in the world too.

[sureshvv]

Are Indians more prone to this kind of behavior? I feel there is some cultural impetus to this.

[Nick H]

Companies like Apple thrive on it ...worldwide!

Good one about weird!

Actually a very hard word to spell. It even breaks the "i before e except after c" rule.

[arasi]

Wierd, I mean weird, eh?

[hnbhagavan]

You can be a fanatic-no worry about that.But there should be some one in the likes of Sri TV Gopalarishnan,Prakash etc who upload concerts of all artists so that you are free to chose and be fanatic about certain artists.This is for music on the net.
You are free to patronise live music as you like.There are fans who attend only Sanjay concerts during the season.There are a few who might attend Vedalli school or Lalgudi school.
But hats off to Sri TVG and Prakash plus a few more who provide music on net.

[varsha]

The value of passion ,like fire, is judged by the amount of warmth and light it creates. Fanatics, like forest fires ,burn bright ,but destroy all in their path that is tender and green.To be useful, fire must be confined. To live passionately, we must develop discipline. To love powerfully, we must forge bonds of commitment.Passion is inseparable from compassion. Sam Keen

[VK RAMAN]

FAN of B.R.L.T (Bhava, Raga, Laya, Tala) and no attachment to individuals

[Rsachi]

Varsha
Wonderful.

Passion is inseparable from compassion.

The word is Shraddha in our scriptures.

[ramanujan]

Lovely!

[VK RAMAN]

when a fan adds atic, he/she becomes pure single minded extremist!!!!