Some blog that probably tries to sound 'all innovative' about music and the internet came up with this infographic. It seems like it is trying to compartmentalize types of fans, and how bands can exploit them to make money.

There are four tiers of fans:
True Fans: bros who are way into a band and will buy something stupid
General Public: Random ass people who have no identity, and just want to buy what other people are buying
Local Concert Goers: People who don't realize that the internet is the ultimate buzzband incubator, so they accidentally get way too into 'local music'/the live concert experience, and blow money when they pass by merch tables
Friends and Family: The sad people who are guilted into going to shows / supporting a band, even when a band sucks/doesn't deserve to make more money. Your friends and family who are afraid to tell you that your band sucks + probably won't ever attract a larger crowd.

What band do u like?
What type of fan are u for that band?
Does Animal Collective have the highest density of 'true fans' in the history of music?

Based on the graph, I have come up with the following broad assumptions about music fans / buyers of music

• True fans are super annoying, but u can make a shitload of money off of them if you make them feel special
• ur band is pointless if you can only sell ur CDs to friends and family
• local bands are worthless to the 'general public'
• The general public doesn't really identify with a band's music, but are sort of just shopping for something that makes them appear to be 'more cultured.'
• Blogs that try to direct 'the general public' towards good music are for entry levelers
• The goal of life is to exist on a level that transcends this chart, where you illegally download albums + get into shows for free + eventually become bros with the bands
• Bands that make the most money exploit the 'General Public'
• Bands can make more money than they deserve by exploiting local concert goers who buy merch

Which band do u feel the most spiritally / emotionally / financially connected to?
Have you ever been guilted into going to your friend's band's show every weekend for a 1 year span?
Do you h8 the mainstream general public who just aimlessly fill up their iPod with iTunes recommendations?
Are blogs for super fans, the general public, or macro-micro-local audiences?
What is a good way for a band 2 make a shit load of money?
Do u feel sad for bros who are 'way into local music' and don't realize that the buzzcentric internet is the optimal format for consuming new artists?
Do you think it is more valuable to have a core group of super fans, or just to create a poppy, accessible album that you can trick the general public /Middle America into buying?
Is Nickelback / the Beatles / Radiohead / U2 the best band of all time because the general public = super fans?
Is life just about accumulating a tribe of followers who will pay you to release kewl / interesting / functional products?
Should music be free?