Obsidian Quills

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who understand "obsession" and those that do not.

The first thing I have to say is that I'm putting obsession in quotation marks for a reason. Real obsession (as of stalkers) is a very scary thing, both for the person obsessed and for the object of the obsession (if the object is a person). It is a clinical, psychological condition. The "obsession" that I refer to here is an intensity of commitment to something that people without psychological backgrounds called "obsessed".

"Obsession" is something you can't really understand unless you feel it. I can't really explain it, but I can give examples. Trekkies that go to conventions are called obsessed. Trekkies that learn Klingon or go to the movies in uniform are called obsessed. People that tape every episode of a show, or that seek out such tapes are called obsessed. People that write fiction and join mailing lists for a show, that have the most fun when they are among other fans are called obsessed. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

The word "obsessed" was given to us by those who don't understand the intensity of enjoyment and fascination that engenders these activities. Those that don't understand sometimes snicker and look down on us, calling us freaks and geeks. Sometimes they shrug and smile tolerantly. Sometimes they worry for us - "doesn't anything else interest you? it isn't healthy to spend this much time on something." Familiar words to the "obsessed."

I can't explain why I and so many like me latch onto a TV show or universe with such intensity. I only know that some part of me becomes fascinated, hungry for more information, more depth, more experience with whatever has caught my attention.

When I find the community devoted to that subject, I feel a great sense of welcome. Almost (though not quite) without exception there is eagerness for a new voice in dicussion, a new imagination in fiction, a new audience for others. There is no feeling like going to a Star Trek movie on the first night. Everyone there is a fan, everyone there gets the inside jokes and the history. The oneness of feeling is incredible.

I, for one, don't understand why this intensity of enjoyment that is called obsession is treated as a bad thing. People have fun with it, and they hurt no one. It brings people together and makes communities among people that would never have had reason to meet before. I think media "obsession" is a wonderful thing.

I used to be hurt when people looked askance at me for my obsessions. Now I just smile and cheerfully agree with their accusation - "You're obsessed!" - because I know what that means, and they obviously don't.


	The Obsession Musing
	There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who understand "obsession" and those that do not. The first thing I have to say is that I'm putting obsession in quotation marks for a reason. Real obsession (as of stalkers) is a very scary thing, both for the person obsessed and for the object of the obsession (if the object is a person). It is a clinical, psychological condition. The "obsession" that I refer to here is an intensity of commitment to something that people without psychological backgrounds called "obsessed". "Obsession" is something you can't really understand unless you feel it. I can't really explain it, but I can give examples. Trekkies that go to conventions are called obsessed. Trekkies that learn Klingon or go to the movies in uniform are called obsessed. People that tape every episode of a show, or that seek out such tapes are called obsessed. People that write fiction and join mailing lists for a show, that have the most fun when they are among other fans are called obsessed. I could go on, but I think you get the point. The word "obsessed" was given to us by those who don't understand the intensity of enjoyment and fascination that engenders these activities. Those that don't understand sometimes snicker and look down on us, calling us freaks and geeks. Sometimes they shrug and smile tolerantly. Sometimes they worry for us - "doesn't anything else interest you? it isn't healthy to spend this much time on something." Familiar words to the "obsessed." I can't explain why I and so many like me latch onto a TV show or universe with such intensity. I only know that some part of me becomes fascinated, hungry for more information, more depth, more experience with whatever has caught my attention. When I find the community devoted to that subject, I feel a great sense of welcome. Almost (though not quite) without exception there is eagerness for a new voice in dicussion, a new imagination in fiction, a new audience for others. There is no feeling like going to a Star Trek movie on the first night. Everyone there is a fan, everyone there gets the inside jokes and the history. The oneness of feeling is incredible. I, for one, don't understand why this intensity of enjoyment that is called obsession is treated as a bad thing. People have fun with it, and they hurt no one. It brings people together and makes communities among people that would never have had reason to meet before. I think media "obsession" is a wonderful thing. I used to be hurt when people looked askance at me for my obsessions. Now I just smile and cheerfully agree with their accusation - "You're obsessed!" - because I know what that means, and they obviously don't.