Many people love their fandoms, hobbies, sports, movies, crafts, and what have you. I wish them all nothing but the best.

However, there’s a disturbing undercurrent within many of those phenomena that rarely gets discussed.

Often “outsiders” of distinct social hierarchies they can’t or won’t join for one reason or another often band together and create their own toxic group dynamics. Yes, nerds can suck, too.

I nope the fuck out when their groups resemble little more than adult high school.

Like, if I have to follow complicated and unspoken rules that produce passive aggression or outright hostility if I fail to understand (read: conform) quickly enough, yeah, I’m not going anywhere near that mess.

Or if the activity or hobby involves some form of competition I can’t give a pass, I’m also taking my ball home.

And if my contribution fails to meet the mark of the “top” group members, I’m out of there so quick I’ll leave a vapor trail.

How is any of that really enjoyable if it has to be scrutinized by a board of surly, self-appointed directors?

Any kind of “fun” that involves a shitload of preliminary work or ego stroking sets me off on my own path.

Which is where I usually want to be anyway.