The Idol and the Fandom

[Seeka 12,372]

Recently, I rewatched a few episodes of Psycho-Pass, and they focused around the psychology and philosophy of Idols and Fandoms. I thought this was interesting and though. Here is a quote from the anime:

"These Avatars are idols on the net. In other words, icons. Icons cannot exist solely through their own will. Neither Hayama nor Sugawara built their reputations on their own. They were able to become Talisman and idolized them based on their own distorted perceptions. The true feelings and natures of these idols are not. So it's not surprising that a fan could do a better job than the real owners of playing the idol fans expect to see."— Shinya Kogami to Nobuchika Ginoza.

This does not only apply to the online socialites that were Psycho-Pass, but the idolization of celebrities in real life, I believe, particularly those, like Lady Gaga, who embrace their fandom and become dangerously close to them, while also balancing a sense of self with pleasing everyone they come across.

While Lady Gaga herself, is a person, many fans have created this version f her, in their heads, that they believe is her. And those fans have deluded themselves into believe that's the eal her, and thus lead themselves into disappointment when this "idol" and the real person don't match up.

Yes, many of us could probably do a better job at being Lady Gaga than Gaga herself, but we wouldn't be her. We'd be this facsimile. This unreal thing. Just an imitation, our "ideals" of her.

How many of you guys think that this is true? That there's a disconnect between the idol and the real person? That the a person eventually stops meeting these idol standards and fans, in turn, become more qualified because they know more of what the fandom wants?

[Didymus 34,380]

I wouldn't know about more qualified... maybe in our imagination but not in actual practice ofc I'm sure a lot of people here could design a better show than Enigma on paper but we don't know squat about actually putting it together so...

But the general theory is probably correct, yeah.

[Borislshere 53,084]

reminds me of "never meet your heroes". Not because the person you idolize may be a bad person but because they probably won't live up to the image you created of them. 

and with the OP, I feel like it kind of applies to literally everyone we meet. We all have a perception of the people in our lives. We all show people what we want them to know. Celebrities do the same but in a more calculated way. 

[Seeka 12,372]

5 minutes ago, Didymus said:

I wouldn't know about more qualified... maybe in our imagination but not in actual practice ofc I'm sure a lot of people here could design a better show than Enigma on paper but we don't know squat about actually putting it together so...

But the general theory is probably correct, yeah.

True. the online socialites in Psycho-Pass mostly just ran their own realms, which I guess were like "as it is happening" blogs. At most they rented out businesses and other things for events. It's an entirely different thing to put together a show.

 

[Didymus 34,380]

2 minutes ago, Borislshere said:

I feel like it kind of applies to literally everyone we meet. We all have a perception of the people in our lives. We all show people what we want them to know. Celebrities do the same but in a more calculated way. 

Abso-****ing-lutely.

[Sneaky Oliver 22,221]

9 minutes ago, Borislshere said:

I feel like it kind of applies to literally everyone we meet. We all have a perception of the people in our lives. We all show people what we want them to know.

This is so right that it’s sad. I think we’re all craving for something real so badly that we can’t truly be real or perceive anything as real anymore. 

Ugh I love philosophical conversations on GGD 

[giskardsb 12,565]

Obviously nobody here could credibly directly take Gaga's place because nobody here is (probably) on her level as a vocalist and performer.   Note, that is actually somewhat rare in pop stars, as usually there are literally thousands of local musicians you can credibly claim are better than "star of your choice."   But that's not the whole picture as far as how Gaga fans idolize their version of Lady Gaga.

If any particular fan was to take Gaga herself, and dress her up as the Lady Gaga of their dreams, work with the choreographers to design dance routines, etc, then yes, they might create a "better" Lady Gaga then Gaga herself, but only because it would be exactly the Lady Gaga they think is best.  It would be the best Lady Gaga for the fan themselves, but not for other fans, and certainly not Gaga's own idea of what the best Gaga currently is.

This is where the problem lies, as fans continuously are building their personal versions of idealized Gaga, Gaga Music, and Gaga eras, and it's virtually impossible for them to not be disappointed when the real Gaga doesn't match their vision.  And Gaga ends up being held up to thousands of different conflicting standards that she has no hope of meeting, and twitter complains, and fanbases complain, and it's all a generally unhealthy environment for both the fans and the idolized person.

The best is simply to let the artist be the artist and attempt to receive what they give with as open a mind as possible with the least preconceived notions as possible.   Easier said than done obviously.   It's fine to have preferences as to what you like about Gaga, and it's fine to not be as appreciative of other things from her.  People get hung up on the stuff that doesn't match their expectations though, instead of just concentrating on the good stuff they find.   

 

[Eggsy 8,280]

Didnt someone one time wait for Britney to spit our her gum only so they can chew it? I mean some fans are EXTRA