Calling all Fringe-dwellers

Being a cave-dweller was not easy. Our primal ancestors had to fight for survival each and every day. Even at night there was a very real chance they could be eaten by something bigger than they were, so groups who were able to rely on each other for protection were more successful. These groups most likely had a dominant leader who barked out orders and others followed them. As a result, a “top-down” hierarchy become an effective way for humans to survive. Surprisingly, this simple dominant style of leadership is still a part of our culture in many areas - but since not following a leader’s orders no longer results in death by saber-toothed tiger, there are those modern-day humans who prefer a more evolved style of leadership. I am one of them.

          I have never felt completely comfortable in my social surroundings. Sure I had friends growing up, but only because they were socially obligated to hang out with me; we carpooled or our parents spent time together. I didn’t “get” the non-verbal rules on the playground. Some kids were more popular than others and the rest of us inexplicably paid attention to what they were doing. I didn’t dress like those kids, I didn’t like the same music, join clubs, or fander over the same boys the other girls seemed to. Perhaps it was a lack of confidence, but it all seemed pretty redundant to me. Had I known about the underlying evolutionary pattern of dominance that was influencing my classmates’ behavior, it would have made things a lot less confusing. Even as an adult, the people (outside family) I spend most of my time with are people who have kids who like to hang out with MY kids, and I am part of the package. I exist on the edge of hierarchical society. I am a fringe-dweller.

          But it wasn’t for lack of trying. I tried to fit in – and I got hurt. Each time I tried, I became a little less trusting of others around me. I eventually had a smaller circle of comfort. It wasn’t bad. It was nice. It was safe. Until recently, I only took calculated social risks. So it should have been no surprise that I would eventually attend a convention for the TV series Supernatural. For 13 seasons, lead actors Jared, Jensen and Misha (J2M) have cultivated a cooperative, team-like atmosphere on the set of their show. They have also carried that supportive atmosphere to the numerous conventions they attend every year. If you are a fringe-dweller, then you too might feel more comfortable behind a computer screen than at a party – but you might also feel right at home at an SPN convention.

J2M have described their fans as smart, sensitive and strong – and they are not wrong – but I would add suspicious to that list. If you are a fringe-dweller, you have been burned in the past, so you don’t follow just anyone. But SPN fans have had ample opportunity to scrutinize J2M both online and in person, and they seem legit. J2M have attended up to 16 fan conventions each year that they have been on the show. They have taken countless selfies with fans when they meet them “out in the wild.” They have taken the time to listen to and learn from their fans. They understand how rough life can be as a fringe-dweller and have taught some of us how not only to survive, but thrive. J2M have proven to be exciting yet predictable, which appeals to our inner cave-dwellers. Evolutionarily speaking, it takes time for reliability to be proven, and SPN is one of the only shows to have gone on long enough for this reliability to be observable. J2M have earned our trust, and trust in dependable leaders is what has kept us humans alive for thousands of years. Many SPN fans are unconsciously “driven” to fander J2M; at times it feels a little freaky, but mostly it’s freaking awesome.

But when J2M attend conventions, they are following their instincts, as well.  They sit on stage during panels and recognize the familiar faces of fans who have been to multiple SPN conventions. That comfort gets reflected to other fans at the convention, as well as fans who watch the panels on YouTube. J2M unwittingly accept convention-goers into their tribe by taking pictures with us and signing autographs. They get to know our names and remember our stories. Misha starts a charity. Jensen shares his voice. Jared confides his darkest moments with us. They tell us stories about their work, friends, wives and kids. They care about us and trust us too. And not just because having more fans gives them more power. It has taken some time, but J2M have developed a relationship with their fandom. They make us feel safe, protected and respected, and we do the same for them. For some of us, our experience at an SPN convention has been life-affirming – which could explain why attending them can be somewhat addictive.     
                                                

References  

                                                                                                                          
Chadborn, D., Edwards, P. & Reysen, S. (2018). Reexamining differences between fandom and local sense of community. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 7(3), 241-249.     

Zajonc, R.B., (1968). Attitudinal effects of mere exposure. The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. http://psycnet.apa.org/record/1968-12019-001

Zubernis, L. & Larsen, K (2014). Phenomea: Supernatural. Intellect Books, The University of Chicago Press.      
                                                                                   

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