Fans: A Journey Into the Psychology of Belonging

Fans is a book about the power of communities and the human brain's desire for connection, exploring the benefits and challenges of fandom. It demonstrates how fandoms provide a sense of belonging, shared culture, and meaning, but also highlight the potential dark sides, such as the "copycat effect" and delusions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Fans is a captivating exploration of the human idiosyncrasy and our remarkable ability to forge shared meaning and solidarity from the most peculiar of materials. This captivating book takes readers on a journey through a constellation of fandoms, unveiling fundamental truths about the human condition.

Fascinating and thought-provoking, Fans is a story of communities, revealing the profound impact of our interactions with people who share our passions. The human brain is wired to connect, and while our groupish tendencies can lead to strife, they also provide immense fulfillment. Fandoms offer a sense of belonging, shared culture, purpose, improved mental well-being, and the assurance that our most unconventional beliefs will be respected. They provide the freedom to emulate and dress like our heroes, offering a pleasurable experience akin to tribalism without the associated harm.

However, as Michael Bond reveals in Fans, the world of fandoms is not without its darker aspects. The "copycat effect" can fuel mass shootings, and the parasocial relationships that fans develop with their heroes can lead to delusions. In Fans, Bond draws on the work of social psychologists and anthropologists to understand how people behave in groups and the profound impact these groups have on human culture.

Through his insightful analysis, Bond demonstrates that fandoms are not merely a passing trend but a reflection of our deep-seated human desires for connection, belonging, and meaning. Fans offers a valuable perspective on the power of communities and the potential for positive change that can arise from our shared passions. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the human condition and the extraordinary ways in which we connect with one another.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 160 x 241 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529052473