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ampersand

Australia

Member Since 2004

Followers 93 Following 141

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Sunday Jul 02, 2006

Jul 2, 2006
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I've been thinking tonight about the difference between passion and obsession, and where one slips over the line and becomes the other. The engine driving this train of thought is a whole other topic, but before we get to that I want to share with you what I came up with.

Let us discuss - by way of example - Jim the sports fan. He has a local team he supports and is known in the community to be a big fan of said team. But the sports fan comes in many different forms, and the phrases; "Jim is passionate about his local sports team," and "Jim is obsessed with his local sports team", can conjure different images. Somewhere just north of passion comes obsession. It's a blurry line, and one that's not often visible until it's actually been crossed.

The passionate Jim - for instance - never misses a game, whether he watches on TV or at the local sporting ground. He participates vocally, and weighs in with his own opinion on umpire and coaching decisions. But you can also see that the passionate Jim, when not watching his team play, has a mind that can be occupied by other matters. He has his job, his family, friends, and can converse on topics other than sport and his local team.

Obsessed Jim is another matter. He participates in the same way passionate Jim does - never misses a game, and is a vocal supporter - however beyond that there is another level to Jim's fanaticism. He'll probably own either an outfit sporting the team's logo, or the team uniform itself. In the days leading up to the game, he may attend the training sessions, waxing lyrical about his team's chances over the opposing team. He'll stand outside the grounds for hours, in the hope he'll catch a glimpse of his favorite players. He'll travel - sometimes great distances - to see his team and support them when playing away. Every monday after the game he'll weigh in with his post-mortem, playing the at home commentator. And the week following is filled with talk of the next weekend's game, sizing up the competition and his own team's ranking on the ladder.

Obsessed Jim will think and talk about very little else if he's able. His relationships are often strained under the weight of his devotion, and more than once he's had to make a decision between his team and his loved ones. And it's been a battle choosing, much to the disappointment of his family and friends.

The passionate Jim is able to keep a level head. The obsessed Jim often lets his devotion cloud his judgement. The passionate Jim is able to check their fandom at the door if needed. The obsessed Jim will often find himself distracted by his obsession for no apparent reason. The passionate Jim is content to let distance be an obstacle, and is happy with a post game update via the internet or newspaper. The obsessed Jim will fly far - sometimes as far as, let's say oh, I don't know ... Copenhagen ... y'know ... for example - if it means seeing his team play.

Like I said, that line is very hard to spot as you approach, but once you cross it...
VIEW 7 of 7 COMMENTS
weirdunclebob:
Go Jim! Both Jims!

Thanks for the birfdy blessing.

Maybe catch up for drinks soon?

ooo aaa
Jul 7, 2006
cleverthings:
Very good fucking dissertation. smile

I think that I am passionate... but then sometimes I discover that I'm actually obsessed. Like now, when my boy is wanting me to go to bed and I am instead still checking my friends' journals.

No, not obsession at all. blackeyed
Jul 8, 2006

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