[81alum]

I think I know the reason why more "fans" keep a safe distance from the emotion of team faith.  I think the reason is that it hurts when your team loses.  You can insulate yourself from that pain by emotionally distancing yourself from the outcome of your team's games.  However, such an approach also deprives you of the great emotional satisfaction of your team's triumphs.

The first part of you analysis is exactly right.  The second part is not.  I insulate myself against disappointment by erring on the side of pessimism, and then forget all of that and become wildly ecstatic when we win.

Pete Franklin always used to point out that "fan" was short for "fanatic" and this implies irrational exuberance.  (I can hardly believe he has been dead for 10 years--it seems like yesterday I was listening to him on KNBR.) I guess I try to have it both ways by being analytical before games and after losses, and exuberant after wins :)

[81alum]

I think I know the reason why more "fans" keep a safe distance from the emotion of team faith.  I think the reason is that it hurts when your team loses.  You can insulate yourself from that pain by emotionally distancing yourself from the outcome of your team's games.  However, such an approach also deprives you of the great emotional satisfaction of your team's triumphs.

The first part of you analysis is exactly right.  The second part is not.  I insulate myself against disappointment by erring on the side of pessimism, and then forget all of that and become wildly ecstatic when we win.

Pete Franklin always used to point out that "fan" was short for "fanatic" and this implies irrational exuberance.  (I can hardly believe he has been dead for 10 years--it seems like yesterday I was listening to him on KNBR.) I guess I try to have it both ways by being analytical before games and after losses, and exuberant after wins :)