What makes people Fanbois?

What makes people Fanbois?

Author
Discussion

vit4

3,507 posts

170 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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WeirdNeville said:
Why will somepeople argue ad nauseum that a Fiat Punto is simply the best car ever made, fact.
roflrofl

Had someone trying this at NYE this year. The fact they are still to get their license and it's their dad's Punto was neither here nor there rolleyes But because it was newer than mine and "it's a Punto" he is the superior driver/will have the superior car in every way, shape and form. Made all the more amusing by the fact I couldn't give a st and how wound up he got when I half-heartedly challenged it hehe (Well when I get my license we'll have a race etc etc etc rolleyes)

In general, I think 'fanboys' are people who by and large have no real experience of any other type of car comparable to their one. They are therefore convinced that it is the best, whether this works in the "it's a Fiesta/Corsa etc and shows bigger cars their place" or in the "it's a Porsche nothing else can keep up" type.

Being a fan of a marque when you have tried all sorts of motors and have settled that in fact, a particular brand/model does suit your needs best is different, and this shows in discussions about their own car because this type of person tends to accept criticism as well as praise, whereas fanboys will not accept any form of criticism.

IMHO anyway biggrin

kmc1

10,232 posts

160 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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WeirdNeville said:
What turns people into Badge/Model Fanbois?

Why will somepeople argue ad nauseum that a Fiat Punto is simply the best car ever made
Maybe because the Fiat Punto WAS the best car ever made.


getmecoat

plenty

4,690 posts

186 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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Tribalism. It confers a sense of identity and belonging, and of people's place in the pecking order. It's manifested through the choices we make that are visible to others. Cars are among the most conspicuous of choices, hence the automotive category gives rise to extreme tribalism, i.e fanbois.

Alfanatic

9,339 posts

219 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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kambites said:
Generally, it seems to be nothing more than them having an opposing view to that of the person who's calling them a fanboy.
This is the correct answer. What makes a fanboy is the person with the opposite opinion. It's just a lazy attempt to dismiss the argument of someone whose opinion differs to yours. Perhaps a few years ago it had some meaning. Now it's a cliche.

ShadownINja

76,361 posts

282 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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Twincam16 said:
To me, a fanboy is not a mere enthusiast, but someone who has no appreciation of diversity of opinion at all.

There are several on here who'll come along and say, regardless of any requirements posted, that to do any 'what car' thread without considering some version of the BMW 3-series or Porsche 911 is just plain stupid, even if the OP wants a mid-engined track-day car with no windscreen to race in the 750MC.

I also reckon money and snobbery has something to do with it. We all defend our own choices, but it does seem that if you've not got much money to spend on a car, it's probably the case that you'll argue for something cheaper (ie that you can afford), and claim it's better than something more expensive being considered. For example, I understand that, among the hot-hatch fraternity, there are similar clusters of angry fanboys who genuinely believe that a 1.25-litre Fiesta Zetec is easily the equal of just about anything else, including RenaultSports, probably because that's all they can afford to buy, insure and run.

I do think it's worse, though, when you get enthusiasts who are demonstrably richer pouring scorn on the choices of people who blatantly can't afford the object of their fanboyism. Writing off other people's choices as 'not real performance cars' because they're not as fast as your 911, or posting a big line of ROFLs when someone does something that, in their own little way, is impressive but doesn't live up to your stellar standards, is indicative of odious, wad-waving banker's 'humour' at its worst.

Edited by Twincam16 on Sunday 2nd January 12:54
Almost but it doesn't explain the Xbox vs Playstation fanboyism. Or the skiing vs snowboarding one. Or Ferrari vs Porsche. Or Fiesta vs Corsa.

I think it's down to buying something and not willing to admit to being wrong plus feeling part of a family/tribe. Ego. smile

ShadownINja

76,361 posts

282 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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plenty said:
Tribalism. It confers a sense of identity and belonging, and of people's place in the pecking order. It's manifested through the choices we make that are visible to others. Cars are among the most conspicuous of choices, hence the automotive category gives rise to extreme tribalism, i.e fanbois.
Ooh, didn't see your post there. I think this is the issue. Or was. As suggested a couple of posts above, it's now been diluted in its meaning and less derogatory.

Noger

7,117 posts

249 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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Cognitive Dissonance.






gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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Alfanatic said:
kambites said:
Generally, it seems to be nothing more than them having an opposing view to that of the person who's calling them a fanboy.
This is the correct answer. What makes a fanboy is the person with the opposite opinion. It's just a lazy attempt to dismiss the argument of someone whose opinion differs to yours. Perhaps a few years ago it had some meaning. Now it's a cliche.
No it's not.

A fanboy is someone who will defend their belief even when they know it is wrong.

If we are defending it and we don't know we are wrong that just makes us ignorant.

pbirkett

18,091 posts

272 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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I think anyone with half a brain would acknowledge that other manufacturers can make good products for different reasons. When I buy a new car I generally want something different to what I had before anyway. Even worse are mobile phone fanboys and games console fanboys.

robsco

7,829 posts

176 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
quotequote all
Twincam16 said:
To me, a fanboy is not a mere enthusiast, but someone who has no appreciation of diversity of opinion at all.

There are several on here who'll come along and say, regardless of any requirements posted, that to do any 'what car' thread without considering some version of the BMW 3-series or Porsche 911 is just plain stupid, even if the OP wants a mid-engined track-day car with no windscreen to race in the 750MC.

I also reckon money and snobbery has something to do with it. We all defend our own choices, but it does seem that if you've not got much money to spend on a car, it's probably the case that you'll argue for something cheaper (ie that you can afford), and claim it's better than something more expensive being considered. For example, I understand that, among the hot-hatch fraternity, there are similar clusters of angry fanboys who genuinely believe that a 1.25-litre Fiesta Zetec is easily the equal of just about anything else, including RenaultSports, probably because that's all they can afford to buy, insure and run.

I do think it's worse, though, when you get enthusiasts who are demonstrably richer pouring scorn on the choices of people who blatantly can't afford the object of their fanboyism. Writing off other people's choices as 'not real performance cars' because they're not as fast as your 911, or posting a big line of ROFLs when someone does something that, in their own little way, is impressive but doesn't live up to your stellar standards, is indicative of odious, wad-waving banker's 'humour' at its worst.

Edited by Twincam16 on Sunday 2nd January 12:54
Twincam strikes again! clap

slipstream 1985

12,220 posts

179 months

Sunday 2nd January 2011
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msheaven said:
Im guessing its the same with football, being a woman i have no place to comment on football, but im probably sure its the same reason they pledge alleigance to a certain team. whatever that reason maybe.

and please take my post in jest :-D

Edited by msheaven on Sunday 2nd January 11:48
you are right though. hatred of other teams yet when the national team plays they forget about who they are standing next too.