In Defense of Twihards

So you all just read the title of this post and about half of you probably just spit apple cider on your monitor. Sorry about that? But the real point here is that I have a theory. And it must be shared.

For some reason the general populace cannot handle the Twilight saga's popularity. So many otherwise rational people come out of the woodwork to say heinous and awful things about Twilight fans.

I personally have read the entire Twilight series and even own all the books (though that's more because of my compulsive book buying than because they're any kind of literary genius). Having read the books I can say that yes, the writing level is rather low (umm duh? They're written for preteens. Oh, and it's PLEASURE READING, not your chemistry book.), that the storyline is fun but kind of cliche, and that Bella is easily the most irritating character in the series. But having said that I don't hate the series, Stephenie Meyer, or anyone who happens to think that the books or movies are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

So here's my theory: everyone who "hates" the Twilight series or Twilight fans doesn't in fact hate the people or the saga, they are in fact just ticked off because they failed to recognize what a large and powerful fan base teenage girls are.

Yeah, that's right. Teenage girls. (How else did boy bands get so big?) Teenage girls have all the necessary qualities to make good fans: they're compulsive, fall for fads and cheesy cliches, and are easily parted from their money. Perfect.

Let's take a look at the Twilight franchise as a whole:

• There are four books in the Twilight saga. As of October 2010, 160 million books had been sold worldwide. If we estimate and say each of those books cost $20 that's $3.2 billion. 
• Besides the four books of the actual series there have been a few other novellas published as well as movie guides. And as with any major franchise there's a ridiculous amount of merchandise (think t-shirts, stickers, coloring books, kid's toys...). I'd be willing to bet that it's at least a few million. 
• And then of course there are the movies and the DVDs. They're making five movies, four of which have been released and three of which are available on DVD.  According to Box Office Mojo, just theatre tickets for the first three movies grossed $1.8 billion and the recently released fourth movie has already made $500 million (it's been in theatres for two weeks tomorrow). According to The Numbers, the three movies on DVD have brought in about another half billion.

So they've already grossed over $6 billion with one movie still in the theatres, another on the way, and no end to the merchandise. Now that's what I call money making! 

What I'm really trying to get at here is God bless America. I know it's a little late to be a Thanksgiving post or anything (as per usual I'm behind), but I think it's amazing that we live in a place where it's possible to do these kinds of things. If tomorrow I come up with a great idea, I can go out into the world and I can make it happen. Because capitalism rocks. So don't let the crazy economy and the occupiers and all the commies get you down...because tomorrow you too could write a book at a low reading level and, with a little bit of luck, good timing, and understanding of the people who make up your market, rake in $6 billion.