Fanboy dirty word?

[Liveitloud]

So I was reading the threads today and came across a few posts that seemed quite negative in regards to fanboys. I put this here because it was related to Becker and KA-BAR in general. It kinda seemed to indicate a blind loyalty with little regard to quality or that was the impression I got. Not looking to start anything here but it got me to thinking.

I like what I like for very specific reasons but if there is no quality, or poor quality I am not going to be sitting on a float with pom poms at the Macy's Day Parade.

So does being a Beckerhead make you a fanboy?

Is a fanboy a bad thing?

Are you a fanboy who blindly overlooks fit and finish?



So many questions, so few Becker models....until April. :thumbup:

 

[Guyon]

A fine topic, but in what follows, please keep any references, quotations, or insults to yourselves.

 

[BRL]

Fanboy to me connotes blind loyalty. Bad. If you retain your critical faculties and aren't afraid to express them, despite being able to still maintain a high level of enthusiasm, then you're just a loyal customer. Example: I will always buy a new Danzig album sight unseen and appreciate any cool melodies and arrangements he succeeds with, while still being more than happy to point out that his voice was shot by 4p, he still tries to sing way beyond his abilities, and he's in dire need of a producer with veto power.

N.B: Fan derives from 'fanatic'. Draw your own conclusions

 

[mrn8]

I like Becker because of their utilitarian quality. One doesn't become a fan of something like this because it's cool to do (apple). It's like my loyalty to Canon. Nobody compares.

 

[clich]

I just don't care. I own other knives but if you call me a fan boy because I like something enough to be a beckerhead, well that's your problem. People just need excuses to cut others down.

 

[foxx]

From the Urban Dictionary
1. fanboy
A passionate fan of various elements of geek culture (e.g. sci-fi, comics, Star Wars, video games, anime, hobbits, Magic: the Gathering, etc.), but who lets his passion override social graces.
At the mall I almost got mowed over by some Dragonball Z fanboy on his skateboard.

2. fanboy
1. A person who is completely loyal to a game or company reguardless of if they suck or not.
2. A pathetic insult often used by fanboys themselves to try and put down people who don't like whatever it is they like.
3. See fool or SEGA.
"If you don't worship SEGA and send them all your money and pay $500 for the copy of Panzer Dragon I'm selling on ebay then your obviously a Sony fanboy even though I've never heard you mention a single thing about Sony the entire five minutes I've known you." Said the SEGA Fanboy.


If you apply the word to the world of knives, or anywhere, then yes it's an insult, but only if you allow Urban dictionary words to have merit. I'm not a "fanboy" of modern slang, especially when I am not a gamer.

 

[Liveitloud]

Fanboy to me connotes blind loyalty. Bad. If you retain your critical faculties and aren't afraid to express them, despite being able to still maintain a high level of enthusiasm, then you're just a loyal customer. Example: I will always buy a new Danzig album sight unseen and appreciate any cool melodies and arrangements he succeeds with, while still being more than happy to point out that his voice was shot by 4p, he still tries to sing way beyond his abilities, and he's in dire need of a producer with veto power.



N.B: Fan derives from 'fanatic'. Draw your own conclusions

So I guess that it is either ones interpretation of the word, or its literal meaning, which I guess could be subjective to what someone thinks it means. I think the word has been given a very negative connotation in context. I consider myself a fan of Becker. Not someone blinded by the name that can find no fault whatsoever.

Just wondering what other peoples perspectives were on the subject. Never really paid attention to the origin of the word fan. Thanks for the info BRL.

 

[Liveitloud]

I just don't care. I own other knives but if you call me a fan boy because I like something enough to be a beckerhead, well that's your problem. People just need excuses to cut others down.

And back to interpretation. I agree that it is usually used in a negative light and that is bothersome. I can also see where it could be used in a positive light but that's not what I usually see in its usage. Honestly, I don't really care either.

1. fanboy 1691 up, 348 down
September 19, 2006 Urban Word of the Day
A passionate fan of various elements of geek culture (e.g. sci-fi, comics, Star Wars, video games, anime, hobbits, Magic: the Gathering, etc.), but who lets his passion override social graces.
At the mall I almost got mowed over by some Dragonball Z fanboy on his skateboard.

2. fanboy 988 up, 270 down
1. A person who is completely loyal to a game or company reguardless of if they suck or not.
2. A pathetic insult often used by fanboys themselves to try and put down people who don't like whatever it is they like.
3. See fool or SEGA.
"If you don't worship SEGA and send them all your money and pay $500 for the copy of Panzer Dragon I'm selling on ebay then your obviously a Sony fanboy even though I've never heard you mention a single thing about Sony the entire five minutes I've known you." Said the SEGA Fanboy.


If you apply the word to the world of knives, or anywhere, then yes it's an insult, but only if you allow Urban dictionary words to have merit. I'm not a "fanboy" of modern slang, especially when I am not a gamer.

So in that context it is a blind loyalty that surpasses all reason. Interesting.

 

[Guyon]

Don't make me break out my Super Sig.

 

[Febeleh]

"Fanboy-1. A person who is completely loyal to a game or company reguardless of if they suck or not. "
Nuff' Said.

 

[LECTER]

I see a lot of "fanboism" towards cRapple products in general but, just because BK&T makes the best, sexiest and all around best knives in the world, and the others are garbage doesn't make me a "fanboy", or does it?

 

[Guyon]

You're not really a fan boy till you don the burro suit.

 

[whereismyclock]

2. fanboy
1. A person who is completely loyal to a game or company reguardless of if they suck or not.

That's the one.

" Why do you have a ps3?" -Lowly Gamestop employee
" I've had it for years and my x-box keeps breaking." -Clock
" But it sucks."
" How so?"
" Not as many people play it, and online is laggy."
" I haven't noticed. What game are you playing on it?"
" I would never own that garbage."
" Then you obviously have no idea."
" As you haven't noticed, I work at a video game store."
" Congratulations! All of minimum wage has really made you an expert. Do you take debit?"

 

[CCMI]

To me, it's like a lot of words in that it depends on context.

Calling somebody a fanboy can be done in a joking way, or sometimes as a self-admission (I like this knife, but then again I'm kind of a fanboy for X) and not have a negative intent.

A lot of times though it's used as an insult. Usually when someone thinks their favorite is better than everyone else's, ignoring the subjective nature of preferences.

The internet is basically the worst way to try and infer intent though.

 

[CCMI]

That's the one.

" Why do you have a ps3?" -Lowly Gamestop employee
" I've had it for years and my x-box keeps breaking." -Clock
" But it sucks."
" How so?"
" Not as many people play it, and online is laggy."
" I haven't noticed. What game are you playing on it?"
" I would never own that garbage."
" Then you obviously have no idea."
" As you haven't noticed, I work at a video game store."
" Congratulations! All of minimum wage has really made you an expert. Do you take debit?"

I think that's a good point. You don't see anyone being called a drop point fanboy, video game fanboy, laptop fanboy, or car fanboy.

It's always ESEE fanboy D just kidding), Xbox fanboy, apple fanboy, Honda fanboy, etc...

 

[flivver]

That reminds me of a comedian I saw some years ago... He was talking about going into a record store, and getting looked down on by the clerk. It went something like this:

So I walk up to the counter with my album. The guy says, "you still listening to this crap?" I say, "yeah -- you still making $5 an hour?"

That's the one.

" Why do you have a ps3?" -Lowly Gamestop employee
" I've had it for years and my x-box keeps breaking." -Clock
" But it sucks."
" How so?"
" Not as many people play it, and online is laggy."
" I haven't noticed. What game are you playing on it?"
" I would never own that garbage."
" Then you obviously have no idea."
" As you haven't noticed, I work at a video game store."
" Congratulations! All of minimum wage has really made you an expert. Do you take debit?"

 

[tradewater]

Being a fanboy wasn't really that bad in ancient times. Definately a step up from pissboy.

 

[fmajor007]

Yup, generally speaking, "fanboy" carries a normal negative connotation.

I see it all the time in photography - the Canon or Nikon using fanboys - it's just so sad the poor, ignorant dears.

In mountaineering gear another term is used in lieu of fanboy - poser. It used to be primarily North Face posers (now everyone just feels sorry for 'em), now it's the Arc 'teryx posers. Some honest, hard-users, otherwise just those who can afford 'em.

I just thought of another use for the NutnFancyProject - NFP - NutnFancyPosers..... I digress...

 

[jim62]

Yep.

"Fanboy" is a very derogatory term. Usually both to the manufacturer AND it's fans. Its pretty much 'net slang.

Most of the time you see it on some other forum talking crap about another manufacturer forums or users

To me its the height of both rudeness and stupidity to accuse anyone here of being a "Fanboy" when this is a MANUFACTURER"S SPONSORED FORUM.

Of COURSE fans of the product post here....Duh..

Fanboy is a term of disdain. Anyone who uses it here to describe any Becker owner should be able to explain the context of the label, PDQ or else be pillared themselves for using it. And, rightfully so.:grumpy:

 

[Wolf_1989]

I saw that thread too. "Fanboy" is a term I've noticed being used by teenagers so odds are pretty good the person in question is still living with his parents. Once he graduates high school and goes out into the real world, maybe his attitude will mature a bit.