Action

Abstract

Abstract The Conclusion ties together the wide range of fanatics profiled in this book by identifying a common set of motivations that propel individuals toward their specific passion area. Whereas previous research has concentrated on evaluating the relative strength of an individual’s fanaticism, this book has unearthed the reasons why someone becomes a fanatic and is willing to invest time and energy in its pursuit. A periodic table of twenty fanatic elements is proposed, which span the social, physical, cognitive, and emotive domains. These elements come together into unique molecules that tell the story of what attracted a fanatic to a given passion area and kept them there. Contributing to the molecule is a combination of the context, where the fanaticism is first encountered, and personality traits that predict whether an individual is likely to engage and stick with it. Despite fanaticism’s potential to overtake healthy living, having a passion and sharing it with others brings happiness and meaning to the world.