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Don’t Be A Stan
Not sure how the “Stan culture” blew up, but the origin of it is easily pinpointed. The rapper, Eminem, created a rap song called “Stan”. It’s a fictional account about an obsessive fan, who takes their obsession to the point where they take Eminem’s raps literally.
Stan’s obsession causes him to focus on meeting, being with and emulating Eminem to the point where he disregards everything else around him.
It ends with Stan, enraged that Eminem hasn’t replied to his “fan” letters, shutting his pregnant girlfriend in the trunk of his car and Stan driving them both off a bridge to their deaths.
This is not something to be proud of nor is it something anyone in their right mind should desire to be: a Stan.
And yet, we have Stans of every type who fanatically adore their “chosen”. The only minor difference is all that toxic rage is directed at anyone who says anything negative or criticizes their “chosen”. It’s dangerous on both a micro and macro level — it hurts individuals as well as society.
A Stan doesn’t apply their critical thinking skills to the person they idolize. It’s not healthy to blindly follow or adore anyone because all that is doing is…
