Amale Bouzlafa

“Follow No One, Trust Yourself”
– Nietzsche, Thus spoke Zarathustra

In this article, we are talking about fans, fanatics, or admirers and how this can quickly become toxic, unhealthy, and almost dangerous. This insight came to me while watching documentaries on fanaticism and its proximity to cult-like behavior. I was impressed by the amount of information I found and fascinated by the subject, so I wanted to share what I’ve learned and shed some light on this idea.

To understand the word in its essence, I had to go back to its etymology. The word “fan” originated from the term “fanaticus” in Latin, referring to someone who was inspired or possessed by a deity. It is derived from “fanum,” which means “temple” or “shrine.” Thus, “fanaticus” literally signifies “of or belonging to the temple” and denotes an individual who was highly committed to or possessed by religious fervor.

In ancient Rome, the word “fanaticus” described people who were very passionate, often in a religious setting. A belief in a divine or supernatural power led them to engage in extreme devotional or religious devotion ( such as offerings or sacrifices). Over time, the definition evolved from its strictly religious connotation to describe anyone exhibiting extreme passion or excitement for a cause, not necessarily religious. This use of the word first appeared in the 16th and 17th centuries and became more generalized in the 19th century in the context of sports and entertainment events.

Now we can see how this fascination with others can be problematic for both the follower and the person being followed. Glorifying or idolizing people for their writings, speech, art, or ideas can make us forget that they’re only human. Fans often put their sense of identity in these people, seeing them as superior and losing all sense of self-esteem. They start to copy everything until they lose their own sense of individuality.

The issue is multifaceted. Firstly, when the admired person makes a mistake, the entire image falls apart. The fan starts blaming the person not only for the mistake but also for the perfect image they had of them. Placing someone on a pedestal sets unrealistic expectations, leading to inevitable disappointment when those expectations aren’t met.

Secondly, there’s the worthiness issue. Fans start thinking that this person is “better” or superior, which can lead to a loss of self-worth. We’ve all heard crazy stories about fans climbing hotels to see a rock band or admirers turning into stalkers… This “if you jump, I jump” mentality is particularly dangerous for younger, more impressionable individuals who might mimic everything the admired person does without questioning if it aligns with their values.

Thirdly, there’s the issue of following without thinking, which can be mixed with the idea of following trends. For example, veganism, minimalism, or the “glow-up” trends often attract followers who adopt these lifestyles without questioning the underlying principles. This uncritical adoption can lead to superficial changes that lack genuine understanding or personal significance.

When something happens to the admired personality, or they do something wrong, fans often start questioning the message, content, ideas, or art as well. This reaction is strange because the value of the message shouldn’t change based on the person delivering it. If you agreed with an idea before, you should still agree afterward, unless your understanding of the idea was superficial and tied to the person rather than the content itself. 🙃

For example, you can enjoy a singer’s music without knowing everything about their personal life. Or consider an author like Montaigne, whose essays I read in French. Despite his condescending and patronizing views towards women, I can still appreciate his work. This detachment from the personality allows for a more objective critique of the work…

Solutions include stopping the pedestal placement, seeing the beauty in yourself, and recognizing your own worthiness. We need to continue showing vulnerability and the human side of everyone because we are all human…not gods, angels, or aliens, despite the crazy ideas you might find on Social Media… Never place your worth in someone else’s hands!

Where is the limit? It’s crossed when your sanity is questioned or when it starts impacting the freedom of one party. It’s not about criticizing inspiration or admiration but redefining these concepts and drawing the line between simple inspiration and literal obsession. This article aims not to blame people for admiring or being inspired by others but to demystify the idea of being a “fan.” Social media has helped with this, as vlogs and more vulnerable content show a more human side of public figures.

We should start taking the content, not the container: the idea, not the speaker; the art, not the artist; the message, not the messenger.

As an opening, just a thought I had while writing this article… maybe this whole thing is just a transfer or projection. Because we are so used to seeing our work as part of us, we also see the work of others as part of them. Failing to make the distinction between the work and the person that made the work… This idea will probably be part of another article…😅

Trusting it will bring some light to someone’s shadow,

Amale 💫💙