Insulting Fandom

Submitted by cozy200 on
So, random thought on this sluggish Friday. Maybe sharknado has my brain in liquid form? I have a question, ok probably more of a statement.

Does it insult you when someone (in your office, circle of associates, or even close friends) know about your intense love for all things Umich, claim they are fans as well, but just don't know who our incoming stud RB's are? Or "hey, i heard we JUST landed a really good DB for next year".

When you approach so called "fan" to rap a bit around the water cooler about the fresh coat of paint on the Big House, they look at you like a deer in the headlights?

Forgive grammar errors, its early and I'm tired.

MGoblu8

July 12th, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^

I'm guessing more like an alcoholic who respects people who can have just a couple of drinks, and only when they are having a night out. Some people could care less about recruiting. They only care about results on Saturdays. I know a lot more people who don't follow recruiting than I know that do.

Joined: 08/19/2010

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jtmc33

July 12th, 2013 at 10:13 AM ^

Sometimes when I'm walking home from work I will go through the 2-deep and ponder the roster in 2015.   Then I stop and say, "WTF is my problem?"

I wish I could just wake up on a football Saturday and say "Oh, that's right, UM plays at 3:30"  It would be so much simpler...

Joined: 04/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10052

BlockM

July 12th, 2013 at 8:14 AM ^

Maybe they just have different priorities than you and prefer to just watch the games and root for Michigan on Saturdays? Why would someone else's level of fandom bother you?

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 40711

ijohnb

July 12th, 2013 at 8:45 AM ^

just have to consciously dumn down the conversation a little bit, and possible be the guy that helps them out so that they have certain information the next time they talk.  In response to "hey I heard we JUST signed a good DB," don't say "that happenned a long time ago," but instead give them the scoop on Peppers and let them know just how good he could be, where he is from, his connection to other recruits, etc.  That is the route I've taken, it allows the conversation to go on, it is just a slightly different conversation.  When thinking about this, remember, THEY are the normal ones, THEY are the sane ones.  Fandon, Michigan fandom in particular is somewhat addictive, I for one can tell you that I would be a lot more productive in other areas of my life if I did not care this much about all things Michigan.  A lot of times I wish I could be satisfied with just turning the TV on for 3 hours on Saturday but instead I am hooked, it would take me all 12 steps to get off of Michigan now.

Joined: 09/21/2009

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MLaw06

July 12th, 2013 at 9:51 AM ^

never saw "dumb" spelled "dumn", but heck if the "n" is silent in "damn", it might as well be silent in "dumn" too.

Joined: 02/29/2012

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M-Wolverine

July 13th, 2013 at 7:23 PM ^

It's obvious the b and n are next to each other on the keypad. So it seems more in the category of typo than mis-spellibg. ;-)

Joined: 10/04/2009

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All Aboard

July 12th, 2013 at 9:16 AM ^

Different strokes for different folks my man, can't expect people to have that kind of expertise. There are probably hundreds of thousands of quality Michigan fans that know nothing about recruiting and the like. The way you handle those kind of people is by dropping knowledge...instead of thinking that they're not good enough, maybe us recruiting worshippers are too into it.

Joined: 01/03/2011

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IncrediblySTIFF

July 12th, 2013 at 8:21 AM ^

my "obviously since it happened to me it must be the standard across all people's experiences" experiences: dated a girl from okemos, attended northwestern, claimed to be a michigan fan, didn't even know michigan made the final four. that was the last week we dated. something about msu and 'laying in the weeds.' when people tell me they also love michigan i ask them if they spend at least four hours a week reading about michigan, and if they do not, i assume they dont want to hear about 17/16 year old kids who may or may not turn out to be good players at michigan or another school.

Joined: 03/26/2011

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samdrussBLUE

July 12th, 2013 at 8:27 AM ^

I can relate to your feelings a bit and it came up a few times while in line at MDEN on Wednesday.

Groups walking by a picture of UTL just thinking it was "some game at night". These things are in-season and somehow big fans don't know.

It doesn't irritate me much except if they claim they are a big fan. Any big fan knows information like that, especially because it just occurred.

Joined: 01/21/2012

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robbyt003

July 12th, 2013 at 8:27 AM ^

I only question ones fandom when they say they like MSU basketball but Michigan football (actually I hate them), otherwise most people just aren't a bunch of Michigan nerds like the rest of us.  

Joined: 10/25/2010

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thisisme08

July 12th, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^

My only annoyance is those who do not know current players e.g. man I cant wait until Denard goes off again this year.  Ahh, you do know he graduated right and is playing in the NFL?  Things like recruiting, and knowing the specific paint codes for "maize" and "blue", I'll leave for obsessed fans like us.

Joined: 12/02/2008

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