What does fandom mean to you? What makes you a part of a fan community?

I’ve been musing about this one since Liz Harper mentioned it on the podcast this week — when talking about ‘fandom,’ what are we talking about, exactly? Is fandom a giant amorphous blob that can absorb many different approaches? Is it something you just have if you life something enough? Does playing World of Warcraft automatically enroll you in the Warcraft Fan Community? Is fandom something you can be in without any act of positive affirmation on your part — are you a Star Wars fan if you like the movies, or does it require you to do something more?

I can’t pretend to know the answers to any of these questions. I have my own opinions — I think of myself as a fan of the Warcraft franchise because I’ve been very heavily invested in the various games for decades now, and the same could be said for Diablo in all its incarnations. But I’ve only been to one BlizzCon and I’m not likely to get back any time soon, nor am I writing fanfic or cosplaying — so can I call myself a fan? Does working professionally as someone who writes about these games enough to make me a fan? It could be said that the various people that read this site helped save my life and what eyesight I have left back in 2016  — I would certainly be much worse if not for all of you helping me. So does that make me a part of a community of fans? I’d like to think so.

What makes someone a fan? Does one have to invest a special effort or can you be a fan just because you like something? Does playing Diablo 4 and enjoying the experience mean you’re in the Diablo fandom? Do you have to be willing to define yourself as a fan to be one? Talk to me about what you think when you hear the terms ‘fandom’ or ‘fan community.’