Have you ever been moved to tears by something an idol said? Have you ever stayed up all night to grab tickets for a concert? Following the stars has long since stopped being a mere pastime — it is a way of investing our emotions, a source of motivation, even a psychological phenomenon that shapes how a person grows. From music and film to the world of sport, celebrity culture has moulded the values and social patterns of countless people. But is fandom an illusion or a positive force? How does it shape our psychological state and the way society develops? Let us unpack the meaning behind fandom from a psychological perspective, and explore what this cultural phenomenon reveals about society.
Fandom and the Collective Unconscious: Why Do We Look Up to Stars?
The Chinese word for "celebrity", mingxing, literally reads as "a bright star" — it corresponds to the English Celebrity, but carries more poetry. Picture a society plunged into darkness, where we cannot make out the road ahead; the presence of certain stars is like the glittering constellations of the night sky, reminding us that there is still beauty in the world. They come to symbolise different values in life — some stand for romantic love, some for fearless courage, while others, through their own effort and talent, become role models for breaking through one's limits.
The psychologist Carl Jung proposed the concepts of the "collective unconscious" (Collective Unconscious) and the "archetypes" (Archetypes), arguing that deep within us there already exist psychic symbols that transcend any single era — figures such as the hero, the poet, the king and the fool. These archetypes are embedded within human civilisation; we can grasp their meaning without ever being taught. In this sense, the essence of fandom is, to a degree, a projection of and a longing for these psychic symbols — in our idols we search for the qualities we ourselves lack, and from them we draw inspiration and strength.
And yet, stars are mortal too. As they enjoy the applause and the glory, they also bear the pressures that come with being a public figure. Precisely because of this, they are both an example to aspire to and a mirror, reflecting back our hopes for the world and the pursuits within our own hearts.
Cultural Repression and Idol Projection: Facing an Imperfect Society
In a repressive society, people often find it hard to be themselves, and may even feel that their flaws cannot be accepted. More regrettably, when a society lacks the room for tolerance and growth, the chances for an individual to change or better themselves grow dim as well. An ideal society should allow people to mend their ways and offer those with ambition a stage on which to develop — yet reality is often the opposite, with many young people overlooked or even written off by society as a whole.
This cultural climate is naturally reflected in the idols people choose to follow. When a society lacks tolerance for error and opportunities to rise, people are more readily drawn to idols who dare to speak out and challenge the system, or moved by stars who keep striving — who press on undaunted even when they are far from perfect. Moreover, when a society is full of injustice and frustration, people may project the value of "rising untainted from the mire", longing for their idols to remain pure and good amid the mud of reality.
This psychological mechanism shows that fandom is not merely a display of personal taste, but a kind of projection of the wider culture. What we are chasing is not only the idols themselves, but our own yearning for a more ideal, more equitable society.
Following the Stars Rationally: Love Should Walk Hand in Hand with Truth
"With great power comes great responsibility." Whether stars, KOLs, or leaders in society, all hold the power to influence the masses, and so their words and conduct affect not only their fans but can even shape society's values. Throughout history, some have chosen to sacrifice themselves for the truth — Socrates, for instance, refused to compromise and in the end drank the poison cup. But we should not demand such an extreme moral standard of every public figure; after all, most people cannot easily bring themselves to sacrifice everything for a conviction.
Nevertheless, stars should at least hold to basic moral standards and not bend for personal gain — this is a reasonable expectation for society to have. Throughout history, for example, many artists found ways to express their convictions through their work even when their freedom was constrained, and that spirit deserves respect. We can admire a star's talent and effort, but we cannot worship blindly to the point of offering unconditional support. True love should walk hand in hand with truth — when our idols do well, we can praise them; when they do wrong, we should point it out rationally, rather than simply shielding them or criticising them blindly.
Following the stars rationally is not only a responsibility towards our idols, but a responsibility towards ourselves. We can love our idols dearly, yet we should stay clear-headed all the more, so that this devotion becomes a force for our own growth rather than a shackle that costs us our sense of self.
Download MindForest, Follow the Stars Rationally, Build a Healthy Outlook on Life
MindForest is your AI companion, helping you through self-awareness and psychological training to view celebrity culture rationally, so that following the stars becomes a force for bettering yourself. Here is how MindForest helps you build a healthy mindset:
1) The AI Coach: Guiding You to Notice Your Projections and Uncover Your Inner Strength
Behind our fandom often lie the longings and the gaps within our own hearts. MindForest's AI coach uses guiding questions to help you explore why you are drawn to particular idols, so that as you admire them you can also uncover your own worth and nurture an inner drive to grow.
2) Emotional Guidance: Helping You Strike a Balance Between Devotion and Reason
MindForest offers emotional guidance and psychological training to help you understand your own emotional patterns and learn to analyse your behaviour rationally, so you avoid leaning on your idols so heavily that it affects your daily life.
3) The Inspiration Journal: Cultivating Independent Thinking and a Healthy View of Idols
MindForest's guided journalling feature helps you record your shifting emotions and reflect on your values, so that even as you admire your idols you can keep thinking for yourself and not follow the crowd under the weight of peer pressure.
Download MindForest now and let it become your best companion in building a healthy outlook on life. Learn to follow the stars rationally, turn devotion into a driving force to move forward, and grow more confident and more free!
References
Jung, C. G. (2014). The archetypes and the collective unconscious. Routledge.
Comments
No comments yet — share your thoughts.