rick and morty discussion thread (very important)

[grue]

Here's my theory.

We all know devoted fans derive a sense of identity from the things they like. We're all searching for meaning in terms of "who am I?" and one convenient answer is "I'm an AC/DC fan!" Easy, cheap, gives you something to talk about. Much harder than "I'm a caring person, I know because I volunteer at a soup kitchen."

A fanbase is particularly alluring to its members when it can not only fulfill a sense of identity, but satisfy a particularly glaring hole in their identity.

Bronies, for instance, rave about the culture of acceptance that surrounds the fandom. "No matter who you are, you're welcome here." Very convenient for those on the autistic spectrum, for those who have no friends. Juggalos are another good example. They are always going on about how they're a family. I wouldn't say I'm reaching to say that they're disproportionately people who grew up with bad home lives.

So what are Rick and Morty superfans compensating for? I would say the modern intellectual superiority complex. Many are over-educated and under-valued in the job market. Many are teenagers, who were already pretty big know-it-all's. I have to admit /r/lostgeneration has the right of a lot. This fanbase is a generation that faces a pretty bleak economic and quality of life future as things currently stand. With a role model who lives their fantasy life, a life where their genius affords them anything they want for themselves...