From dispatches coming from the heart of pop culture mecca, I'm taking a sharp turn this weekend and touching on a more unpleasant side of fandom.

I used to think of myself as a fan of certain creators, authors, actors, artists but then I would go to events and meet people way more invested in their fandoms than I ever would be. They'd collect their fandom artifacts — Lego sets, Funkos, Sideshow collectible statues, etc., they'd attend all the conventions and events, and it's not enough to watch all the movies, series or products related to your fandom—you have to be first.