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Do you know someone who is always trying to convert people?
Maybe you know someone who will not stop talking about their religion or political affiliation?
How about those folks who argue Windows is better than Mac?
Starter Items
- Today is Ada Lovelace Day, Check out my tribute to Valerie Aurora
- There is now a Twitter button so you can tell people you’re watching live!
- I have upgraded my internet connection with Comcast to provide a better stream. 28mb down / 7mb up
What drives fanatics to argue, interrogate and work your last nerve?
In the name of what they think is better/right/”the only option”
Fanaticism is often black and white
We cover the difference between a fan, a person who obsesses and those who are fanatics
Malcolm Gladwell talks about “Outlers” who have put in 10,000 hours to master something:
- Hockey players
- Bill Joy
- The Beatles
- Bill Gates
Things people can be fanatical about:
- Politics
- Religion
- Software
- Dog breeds
- Aliens
- Government conspiracies
- Content Management Systems
- Operating Systems
- Computer Processors
- Hosting Companies
- Cars
- Sports
- Vacation spots
- Music
It’s hard for me to be supportive of religions that focus on “converting” people.
Religion is good because it gives people hope
True evolution is the ability to forgive others
I liked the series Firefly and the movie Serenity
I would not hire a ghost hunter
- Reason #1 – Would not buy a home where someone died
- Reason #2 – I have yet to believe ghost hunting is effective
Most celebrities don’t watch television
I have ADD / ADHD
- Being diagnosed changed my life for the better
- Medication has helped
- Learning about it has helped
- Getting support has helped
- Getting a life coach who focuses on ADD has helped
- Earliest memories of ADD challenges; coloring in 1st grade and geography in 8th grade
Book, Reasoning Skills – Success in 20 minutes a day
Fanaticism as defined by the Wikipedia
Fanaticism is an emotion of being filled with excessive, uncritical zeal, particularly for an extreme religious or political cause or in some cases sports, or with an obsessive enthusiasm for a pastime or hobby.
Philosopher George Santayana defines fanaticism as
“redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim”;according to Winston Churchill,
“A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject”.By either description the fanatic displays very strict standards and little tolerance for contrary ideas or opinions.
Examples of Fanatical Groups
- The Borg
- Zombies
- Vampires
Tools Fanatics Use
- Trust
- Logic
- Guilt
- Peer Pressure
Goals of Fanatics
Increase the number of fanatics who believe what they do. Adding people who are passive supporters or active fanatics. Grow the numbers.
When it Gets Dangerous
When the fantatic looks at people who don’t agree with them and decide to go after them. That’s know as war, hate crimes, ranting about someone who doesn’t share the belief system of the fanatic.
Man attacked for installing Linux
From the Chat
Sam-7521 : You are more fun than David Broder – this is a great op-ed piece :-)
ustreamer-36987 : religion appeases small minded people
Sam-7521 : WaPost columnist – grand political opinion-maker
Sam-7521 : fanboys and fangirls?
ohdoctah-2928 : religion is GREAT ppl make it bad lol
Sam-7521 : The book “The True Believer” explains this extremely well: http://is.gd/oLZu
ustreamer-36987 : how much of this applies to you?
socki03 : Conservatives tend to watch FOX News and Liberals tend to watch MSNBC.
darkplayer38 : do you think theres life other than our own
Sam-7521 : most celebrities don’t have time to watch tv
ustreamer-60136 : so u are saying people loose touch with reality mental illness
Chris-7359 : I thought Adria was getting the rats LOL
ohdoctah-2928 : i hate A D D or adhd so many docs say ppl have it cuz its the easy way out lol
ustreamer-55088 : Have you ever had someone you were close to become a fanatic?
ustreamer-11406 : My son has aspergers syndrome
ustreamer-11406 : My boy is facinated by Maps and Sports stats
Chris-7359 : Are you changing the show time soon?
ustreamer-36987 : aids was created to eliminate africans by eugenicist
ustreamer-36987 : sars was meant to diminish the population of asia
blpjr : ty
Chris-7359 : Good topics. Goodbye
ustreamer-38907 : thank you
adriarichards : You are welcome. Thanks for tuning in
The difference between a Fan and a Fanatic (also cranks) from the Wikipedia
The difference between a fan and a fanatic is that while both have an overwhelming liking or interest in a given subject, behaviour of a fanatic will be viewed as violating prevailing social norms, while that of a fan will not violate those norms (although the person may be considered unusual).
A fanatic differs from a crank, in that a crank is defined as a person who holds a position or opinion which is so far from the norm as to appear ludicrous and/or provably wrong, such as a belief in widespread alien abduction. In contrast, the subject of the fanatic’s obsession may be “normal”, such as an interest in religion or politics, except that the scale of the person’s involvement, devotion, or obsession with the activity or cause is abnormal or disproportionate.
Fanatics, especially religious fanatics also use fear and repetition. Not a pleasant attribute to deal with. :o)
[Reply]
Watching at Askadria.com: Fanatical people in Software, Politics and Religion http://bit.ly/1537Io
[Reply]
Hey Adria, thought-provoking show. I think people become so fanatical/obsessed about certain subjects, i.e., religion or politics because they take disagreement as an attack on them personally and react accordingly, instead of viewing disagreement in an intellectual way. I think people become so emotional about them is that we are what we believe; however, that does not mean it is all we are. I know I personally feel passionately about these subjects but will not impose my views on others nor dislike those who differ.
[Reply]
Adria Reply:
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:16 pm
@JacqueB,
Thanks for your comment! I agree, some people really let emotion rule in situations that require logic. I think feelings are important and authentic connections are important. Disregarding other people’s beliefs and boundaries in favor of spreading one’s own viewpoints in the name of “right” is wrong.
Speaking of which, I went on the conservative web media show, Pajamas TV (PJTV is the home of Plumber Joe), and they kept their word and conducted a professional interview without any cheap shots. They had a joke at the end about being “Barack’s Technology Czar” but otherwise we focused on people keeping their data safe online. I hope the interview can serve as an example for political folks that the “other side” is not always out to “get them”.
[Reply]
“Religion is good because it gives people hope.” If you think like this that means religion has done its job on you. Religion should offer hope, but enlightment as well. Religion today doesn't offer enlightment, but mainly enforcing rules that will keep you blind. And about your question: how would a religious fanatic argue about Windows and Mac: simple, Windows is the salvation and Mac is the devil in disguise:)) My statement is based on the fact that more people use Windows than Mac. But the real question is: is Mac the real devil or…
[Reply]