When people wonder why the mass populace doesn't take computer games seriously, I point to the word fanboy, and the fact that that word is still actually an accepted term in game discussion.
"Fanboy" is literally a word created solely to cheaply insult. It has no substance and no positive connotations what-so-ever. It's childish, petty name calling. That word belongs in elementary school playgrounds, not in intelligent video game discussion.
Instead of making threads attempting to condone and unproductively justify the use of such a regressive word, we should be making threads and writing articles on why the word should be completely eliminated from the gaming vernacular.