Archive:Fanboy: Difference between revisions
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==History of fanboys and the term== | ==History of fanboys and the term== | ||
The term originated in [[comic book]] circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom, to the exclusion of a more mainstream social life. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by less serious fans of the same material. | The term originated in [[comic book]] circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom, to the exclusion of a more mainstream social life. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other, less serious fans of the same material. Some fans use the term to label themselves; in the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys''. The term is usually applied to people in their teens or 20s. Within this group, common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[anime]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, and [[software]] companies. | ||
The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, and generally unattractive figure of a young man who appears as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''. In the mid [[1990s]], the emergence of [[slacker]] culture changed this image somewhat. Movies such as [[Kevin Smith]]'s Jersey Trilogy (''[[Clerks]]'', ''[[Mallrats]]'', and ''[[Chasing Amy]]''), altered the image of the fanboy. As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to video gamers and television addicts. As a result, a subculture emerged which readily labeled itself as fanboys. Within this group, more effort is taken to fit in with a perceived standard, resulting in a more outgoing attitude, even among those with insecurities. | The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, and generally unattractive figure of a young man who appears as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''. In the mid [[1990s]], the emergence of [[slacker]] culture changed this image somewhat. Movies such as [[Kevin Smith]]'s Jersey Trilogy (''[[Clerks]]'', ''[[Mallrats]]'', and ''[[Chasing Amy]]''), altered the image of the fanboy. As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to video gamers and television addicts. As a result, a subculture emerged which readily labeled itself as fanboys. Within this group, more effort is taken to fit in with a perceived standard, resulting in a more outgoing attitude, even among those with insecurities. Those not as deeply involved in the culture often view this attitude as abrasive. | ||
One example of this behavior is found in the [[video game industry]], where fans of any given [[video game console]] manufacturer can exhibit very high levels of devotion to their brand of choice, often at the expense of considering competing brands objectively. This attitude can lead to rudeness towards fans of competing brands or towards those who do not share their level of devotion to their console of choice. This pattern has contributed to a more negative connotation of the term. | |||
Fanboys | Fanboys are often perceived as possessing a [[sycophant]]ic devotion to the creators behind the object of their passion, but also as being likely to move their focus quickly elsewhere with just as much passion, once something else catches their attention. | ||
One example of this is [[Harry Knowles]] and his associates at [[Ain't It Cool News]], whose particular focus is on [[film|movies]] in the [[action movie|action]], [[fantasy]], adventure and [[superhero]] genres. | |||
Fanboys are also perceived as having a strong emotional attachment to the object of their devotion, often responding to negative remarks about it as though they were personal attacks. | |||
==Some common types of fanboys== | ==Some common types of fanboys== | ||
===Video game fanboys=== | ===Video game fanboys=== | ||
After comic books, video games may be the most fruitful environment for fanboys. | After comic books, video games may be the most fruitful environment for fanboys. These include | ||
*[[Nintendo]] Fanboys (sometimes called a "Ninty" or "Drone", short for "Nintendrone") | *[[Nintendo]] Fanboys (sometimes called a "Ninty" or "Drone", short for "Nintendrone") | ||
*[[Sony]] Fanboys (sometimes called "Tools", short for "PSTool" which is derived from Sony's current entertainment console, the [[PS2]]) | *[[Sony]] Fanboys (sometimes called "Tools", short for "PSTool" which is derived from Sony's current entertainment console, the [[PS2]]) | ||
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*[[Sega]] Fanboys | *[[Sega]] Fanboys | ||
On the [[GameSpot]] System Wars forum, as well as SystemWars.com [http://www.systemwars.com/forums/], the different schools of video game fanboys are associated with various animals. Nintendo fanboys are called "[[sheep]]" because of their willingness to be herded by Nintendo. Sony fanboys are called "[[Cattle|cows]]" because they pay extra, i.e. are "milked" by Sony for optional features for their equipment of choice. Microsoft fanboys are called "[[Lemming|lemmings]]" because they follow Microsoft blindly, even if it leads to their demise. Similarly, PC fanboys are called "[[hermits]]" because they are perceived as solitary, friendless gamers who play by themselves. | On the [[GameSpot]] System Wars forum, as well as SystemWars.com [http://www.systemwars.com/forums/], the different schools of video game fanboys are associated with various animals. Nintendo fanboys are called "[[sheep]]" because of their perceived willingness to be herded by Nintendo. Sony fanboys are called "[[Cattle|cows]]" because of the perception they pay extra, i.e. are "milked" by Sony for optional features for their equipment of choice. Microsoft fanboys are called "[[Lemming|lemmings]]" because of the perception they follow Microsoft blindly, even if it leads to their demise. Similarly, PC fanboys are called "[[hermits]]" because they are perceived as solitary, friendless gamers who play by themselves. | ||
===Anime fanboys=== | ===Anime fanboys=== | ||
Revision as of 11:40, 2 March 2006
Fanboy or fanboi is a term used to describe a male who is utterly devoted to a single subject or hobby, often to the point where it is considered an obsession.
History of fanboys and the term
The term originated in comic book circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom, to the exclusion of a more mainstream social life. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other, less serious fans of the same material. Some fans use the term to label themselves; in the songs of the fannish parody musician Luke Ski, many characters proudly consider themselves fanboys. The term is usually applied to people in their teens or 20s. Within this group, common subjects of reverence by fanboys are TV shows, movies, anime, cars, video game consoles, video games, operating systems, MMORPGs, and software companies.
The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, and generally unattractive figure of a young man who appears as a loud mouthed pseudo-intellectual. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the Comic Book Guy on The Simpsons. In the mid 1990s, the emergence of slacker culture changed this image somewhat. Movies such as Kevin Smith's Jersey Trilogy (Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy), altered the image of the fanboy. As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to video gamers and television addicts. As a result, a subculture emerged which readily labeled itself as fanboys. Within this group, more effort is taken to fit in with a perceived standard, resulting in a more outgoing attitude, even among those with insecurities. Those not as deeply involved in the culture often view this attitude as abrasive.
One example of this behavior is found in the video game industry, where fans of any given video game console manufacturer can exhibit very high levels of devotion to their brand of choice, often at the expense of considering competing brands objectively. This attitude can lead to rudeness towards fans of competing brands or towards those who do not share their level of devotion to their console of choice. This pattern has contributed to a more negative connotation of the term.
Fanboys are often perceived as possessing a sycophantic devotion to the creators behind the object of their passion, but also as being likely to move their focus quickly elsewhere with just as much passion, once something else catches their attention. One example of this is Harry Knowles and his associates at Ain't It Cool News, whose particular focus is on movies in the action, fantasy, adventure and superhero genres. Fanboys are also perceived as having a strong emotional attachment to the object of their devotion, often responding to negative remarks about it as though they were personal attacks.
Some common types of fanboys
Video game fanboys
After comic books, video games may be the most fruitful environment for fanboys. These include
- Nintendo Fanboys (sometimes called a "Ninty" or "Drone", short for "Nintendrone")
- Sony Fanboys (sometimes called "Tools", short for "PSTool" which is derived from Sony's current entertainment console, the PS2)
- Xbox Fanboys (sometimes called "Xbots")
- Sega Fanboys
On the GameSpot System Wars forum, as well as SystemWars.com [1], the different schools of video game fanboys are associated with various animals. Nintendo fanboys are called "sheep" because of their perceived willingness to be herded by Nintendo. Sony fanboys are called "cows" because of the perception they pay extra, i.e. are "milked" by Sony for optional features for their equipment of choice. Microsoft fanboys are called "lemmings" because of the perception they follow Microsoft blindly, even if it leads to their demise. Similarly, PC fanboys are called "hermits" because they are perceived as solitary, friendless gamers who play by themselves.
Anime fanboys
Anime is another fertile breeding ground for fanboys. Some notable examples are:
- Dragon Ball Fanboys (get hung up on names, especially romanji)
- Sailor Moon Fanboys (very strict about manga continuity)
- Inuyasha Fangirls (generally, they're all female, but display all the traits of fanboys)
In Media
Comic Book
- Sergio Aragonés' Fanboy
Television
Radio/Podcasts
- Fanboy Radio - [2]
- Drooling FanBoy - [3]