What are the differences between a "fan" and a "mythical beast"?

Recently I came across a profile of and old aquaintance of mine while RheetandLinkrastinating and decided to pursue her to return to the Kommunity since she had not been active since 2009 and I'm feeling like a lonely Mythical Beast in this little town. I imagined planning Mythicons and watching GMMs together and actually enjoying them , instead of forcing my husband to watch with me. But, when I reconnected with her today, she said she "used to be a fan of theirs" referring to R&L , of course. USED to be a FAN? She has a MB name on her profile! So it begs the question, what would be some of the differences between a fan and a mythical beast? GO!

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K-ModPermalink Reply by Victoria (Centauromadoose) on October 23, 2015 at 12:04pm

Hmm, I think in such a case as this, being a Mythical Beast is a self-identification thing.

Most people who are fans of R&L content probably know that their audience/fanbase goes by the name of Mythical Beasts, so I think, in most practical senses, they are synonymous...but to be a Mythical Beast, you must also accept the terminology and willingly apply it to yourself.

Personally, I think anyone who watches R&L's content -- whether they watch every day, once a month, by themselves, with friends, only GMM, only the main channel, or whatever -- is a Mythical Beast, as long as they truly like and support R&L!

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Permalink Reply by Jaymie Nunnery (Jayameez Cat) on October 23, 2015 at 5:28pm

I sure have had my unbridled days. I'm thinking the difference can be found in the level of activity someone applies toward the growth of an entertainer. For instance, just talking about Rhett and Link...over 8 million people watch GMM , some daily, some not, but just over 100,000 go to a web page and contribute artwork towards projects or provide content that can used by other members or the entertainers (sorry, internetainers) themselves. You can call yourself a mythical beast, but like Rhett announced years ago, if you are a part of this Kommunity, you have to give yourself a name. Maybe we are the only fans that do this? An elite group take it to the next level...... Do EXTREME Star Wars fans that dress up and go to Comicon have their own individual names that cannot be duplicated? I'm not just a fan, I'm a mythical beast. ;)

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K-ModPermalink Reply by Gumbo123 on October 23, 2015 at 5:34pm

HISTORICAL ACCURACY:

Well, sometimes the term "Mythical Beast" is used to refer to the entire R&L fan base, but I disagree with that notion.

I prefer to think of those outside The Kommunity as just everyday fans and those who join and participate here as the only true MBs. The term derived from one of the early day KBEs and, after numerous suggestions and much discussion, decided by a vote here among the active members. The stated purpose of the KBE was to come up with a name to call members of this Kommunity.

Before Barb Nelson (Gaelic ThistleFish) first raised the question on July 7, 2009 neither Rhett nor Link had ever given much thought about what (if anything) they would call their fan base. After more than a month of suggestions and discussions, Kevin R. (Flaming Arba) was the first to document the name MYTHICAL BEAST being thrown into the hat. The final poll vote was between RandLer and Mythical Beast and the rest is history.

http://rhettandlinkommunity.com/forum/topics/what-do-we-call-ourselves

Footnote: RandLer eventually would become the name of the Kommunity mascot.

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Permalink Reply by Heather S. (YogaGhost) on October 23, 2015 at 5:42pm

Wow!! Look at the history on that thread!! And it stayed open for like 6 years!! So cool! Thanks for sharing!

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K-ModPermalink Reply by Victoria (Centauromadoose) on October 23, 2015 at 6:00pm

I disagree with your disagreement. ;)

"Mythical Beasts" may have started as a term used within the Kommunity, but Rhett and Link themselves now call ALL their fans Mythical Beasts. When they make a call to action, they say, "Come on, Mythical Beasts!" -- and they aren't just talking to the Kommunity. The term has grown and evolved.

I myself prefer that the term isn't used as an elitist kind of term within the fandom. You already get people bragging about how they're better than other fans of R&L for this and that reason... it's better not to add fuel to the fire.

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K-ModPermalink Reply by Gumbo123 on October 23, 2015 at 6:45pm

History will prove you wrong. Only the BEASTIEST will survive.

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Permalink Reply by Heather S. (YogaGhost) on October 23, 2015 at 5:36pm

To me, "Mythical Beast" is the name given to the devoted fans.

For example, Fans of the band, The Killers, call themselves "Victims"! The Killers is one of my favorite bands of all time (I have and enjoy every album), yet I have not dived into the depths of the fanbase online about it, so I'm just a fan of the band.

But I consider myself a Mythical Beast because I have bought some of their merchandise, joined the Kommunity, participated in various R&L activities, and interacted with other beasts online.

So, there's a certain level that you get to with everything that you enjoy, whether it's music, comedy, art, acting, or specific school subjects or activities. In my opinion and experience, if there's a nickname that has been made for you or you've made it for yourself that labels you as something within a certain type of community, then you are more than a fan/enthusiast, you are a member of that community/group. Hope that helps. BYMB!

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Permalink Reply by Jaymie Nunnery (Jayameez Cat) on October 23, 2015 at 5:39pm

Gumbo and Heather....nail.on.head!

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Permalink Reply by Jaymie Nunnery (Jayameez Cat) on October 23, 2015 at 6:10pm

Oops, Good point Victoria! I'm never the voice of reason, I'm an argumentative hot head t times. Especially when I'm passionate about something. One reason why I was TOTALLY surprised when I got "Link" on the circulating Buzzfeed quiz. ;) ;) No offense Rhett...

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K-ModPermalink Reply by Victoria (Centauromadoose) on October 24, 2015 at 9:52am

You got it! :)

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K-ModPermalink Reply by Gumbo123 on October 24, 2015 at 11:19am

INVESTED . . . I like that term. Although I consider myself invested in the Kommunity more than invested in Rhett and Link personally. I'm a fan of and enjoy their work, partly because we share a common sense of humor and partly because I appreciate the manner in which they conduct themselves. But I am a committed, devoted and invested member of the Kommunity, hence I am being my mythical best by experiencing and participating in things here that the casual fan, not a Kommunity member, will never know of.

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Permalink Reply by Jaymie Nunnery (Jayameez Cat) on October 24, 2015 at 9:51am

...and that bout sums it up in a nutshell Alex. I'm glad to be a part of something with such rich history and I hope it can continue to grow and stay friendly. It's a big mean lonely world out there for someone pushing 40. It's nice to feel like I fit in somewhere in a special place , though I'm surrounded by 2 wonderful sons and my husband.