On The Domestication of Internet Nerds

I really just don't get it.

Is it because of how we're wired? I've read about why certain animals can be domesticated and others cannot, and one of the necessary factors is a pack mentality which includes submission before an alpha. Is it just something along those lines?

The question I'm struggling with: Why do so many people fall into fan-boy behavior?

I enjoy really getting into the guts of game mechanics, and love hashing out strategies and the whys and whats of optimizing my strategies. I'm often found lurking on message boards for a new game obsession, and if the game has enough depth I've even been known to register and start joining in the conversations.

But one doesn't have to actively participate in forum communities to know what I'm talking about; fanboyism is rampant among gaming devotees. I suppose that is partly due to misplaced passion? If you love something, you can see no faults with it? I dunno. I love a bunch of games but I still stay grounded and can objectively complain about bits I don't find enjoyable.

So many people don't seem capable of admitting there are any problems with their favorite games, and I just do not understand the motivation behind this sort of behavior.

Then again, when I step back for a minute, I realize that basically I'm complaining about people being irrational and engaging in shallow, immature behavior. (People on the internet, no less.)

I can't say for sure if its because of latent herd/tribal behaviors, but I do think we can safely blame "human nature" for the problem.