The Harry Potter Experience

[potioncat]

Potioncat:
Thanks Jkoney, Alla and Geoff for your replies.
It seems we've all gravitated to HP4GU for the quality of discussion found here.

> Geoff:
> But it all boils down to "each to his own" when it comes to our feelings 
> about the Wizarding World and no matter how much some contributors 
> to this group like to range their big guns to try to persuade us otherwise, 
> we all hold - and will continue to hold - our own interpretation of the 
> events.
>


Potioncat:
True. 

Some of us just want to discuss the stories, some want to debate the nuances, or propose theories. At the end of the day we probably leave with our opinions unchanged, yet enriched by the process.

What is it, though, that has made intelligent adults spend so many hours on HP? At the minimum, those of us here have taken time to write posts and talk about the books. But some are spending more time, moderating, maintaining web sites, updating information--all sorts of unseen, unpaid work. Are other fandoms like this?

Has anyone here been to the conventions? What are they like?