There’s definitely something to this. Like I’m often scared to be part of any group because inevitably someone in that group will be an asshole. I have played video games for a long time but I refuse to refer to myself as a “gamer” because of the associations.
dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 day ago
I also notice I hate when something I love becomes too popular, precisely because it loses its initial associations with the group I was happy to associate with, and becomes associated with a larger group that I don’t feel connection with (or worse, becomes a toxic fan base I actively don’t want to be associated with - e.g. Rick and Morty, I love the show but developed shame for that once it became popular and its biggest fans created negative associations with liking the show).