fans.

what makes a fan?
a fan of a band: you like the band's music.
a fan of a television show: you like the television show and probably the people in it.
a fan of anything: you like that thing. simple as.
so why do people think there is such a thing as a 'fake fan'?
it really bothers me and i don't understand why people seem to believe that you need to know every tiny detail about something before you are allowed to call yourself a fan. just because you know the exact time, date and location that a certain celebrity was born doesn't mean that you are more of a fan than anyone else who likes that person. i don't understand why people feel the need to prove themselves in 'fandoms' (a word which is really starting to bother me) by saying "oh i was here first, obviously i am a better fan you're not even a real fan go away lol". why can't people just be glad that there are other people that enjoy the thing that they do and become friends?