A lot of the well being boost that comes from being a hardcort fan stems from social connection. A pair of social relationships can also be formed with people who don't exist, like sherlock holmes or lieutenant wesley crusher. Jan and others have argued that when fans get together they tend to experience what's known as a shared pretensive reality. But this creative, playful side of geeking out is just the tip of the phantom happiness.
Really love a TV show; a boyband; a sci fi movie; or a celebrity? We're often too embarrassed to admit adoring some things for fear that we'll be seen as frivolous or childish - but we may be missing out on the happiness benefits that geeking out can bring.
Dr Laurie Santos explores the joy of fandom with Benedict Cumberbatch obsessive Tabitha Carvan, YA author Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Star Trek actor (and geek-vangelist) Wil Wheaton.
For Further Reading:
Tabitha Carvan - This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch
Wil Wheaton - Still Just a Geek
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