“carrying the flag of enthusiasm.”
To be a fan is to be curious, and to be curious is to have openness. I think closing-off is the most detrimental thing we can do as people. Also, the idea of not judging oneself. Part of being a fan is to allow 360 degress of experience—to immerse without judgment. It’s like a really fearless step forward into new experience. There’s something that feels very timeless about fandom. It feels like the thing that’s carrying the flag of enthusiasm. It’s where I sense the most optimism. I think it’s why I sometimes posit myself as a fan. So many things can be filtered through fandom—joy, compassion, love. It is just allowing yourself to be receptive. That’s like the basis for half the things you’re supposed to do everyday.