APS Exposes Goldblum Fan Convention Coercion—Tutorial Inside

APS (the Advanced Participation Studies) has just dropped a bombshell on the fan‑con world. Apparently, some Goldblum conventions have been nudging attendees into “special activities” that feel less like fan service and more like forced participation. In this post, I’ll walk you through the investigation, the tech tools that made it possible, and a step‑by‑step guide on how you can spot or even prevent this coercion at future events.

1. The Investigation Begins: What APS Did

The APS team started with a simple question: “Are fans being coerced into Goldblum‑centric activities?” They broke down the inquiry into three phases:

1. Data Collection: They harvested public posts, ticketing data, and event schedules.
2. Sentiment Analysis: Using NLP models, they sifted through fan comments for signs of pressure.
3. Field Observation: A covert team attended three conventions to see the interactions firsthand.

Below is a quick snapshot of their Python pipeline.

import pandas as pd
from textblob import TextBlob

# Load event data
events = pd.read_csv('goldblum_conventions.csv')

# Sentiment analysis on comments
events['sentiment'] = events['comment'].apply(lambda x: TextBlob(x).sentiment.polarity)

# Flag high-pressure language
events['coercion_flag'] = events['comment'].str.contains(r'you mustonly if', regex=True)

2. Tech Tools That Made the Reveal Possible

A few key technologies were instrumental:

• Web Scrapers: BeautifulSoup and Selenium pulled schedule data from ticketing sites.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP): Sentiment analysis flagged harassing or coercive language.
• Geofencing APIs: The team mapped attendee movements to see if certain booths were “mandatory.”
• Social Media Analytics: Tweepy harvested tweets mentioning the conventions.

All of this was orchestrated in a single Jupyter Notebook, ensuring reproducibility and transparency.

3. Findings: Where Coercion Pops Up

The APS report highlighted three main coercive tactics:

Here’s a quick quote from an attendee that sums it up:

“I thought I was just there to see the movie star, but then I realized I had no choice but to sit in that photo booth or miss out on the signed poster.”

4. How to Spot Coercion Before You Sign Up

Want to be a savvy fan? Follow this quick checklist:

1. Read the Fine Print: Look for mandatory session clauses.
2. Check the Schedule: Are all sessions marked “mandatory” or “exclusive?”
3. Watch for “Only If” Language: In emails or social posts.
4. Use the APS Tracker App: It flags events with high coercion scores.
5. Ask Around: Search forums for “forced participation” tags.

Below is a minimal JavaScript snippet that scans event titles for coercive keywords.

const coerciveKeywords = ['mandatory', 'must', 'only if'];
document.querySelectorAll('.event-title').forEach(el => {
 const title = el.textContent.toLowerCase();
 if (coerciveKeywords.some(k => title.includes(k))) {
  el.style.backgroundColor = '#ffdddd';
 }
});

5. What You Can Do as an Attendee or Organizer

If you’re a fan, here’s how to stay in control:

• Prioritize events that list “optional” or “free participation.”
• Keep a copy of your ticket receipt—some venues use it to enforce participation.
• Report coercive behavior via the event’s support channel or directly to APS.

If you’re an organizer, consider these best practices:

1. Transparent Scheduling: Label sessions as optional.
2. Offer Alternatives: Provide non‑mandatory activities for those who don’t want to engage.
3. Train Staff: Sensitivity training on coercive language.
4. Collect Feedback: Use post‑event surveys to catch coercion early.

6. The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

Forced participation isn’t just a fan‑con nuisance—it’s a data ethics issue. When organizers push fans into specific interactions, they’re collecting data that may be used for targeted marketing or even surveillance. The APS findings remind us that:

• Every interaction is a data point.
• Consent must be explicit, not implied through social pressure.
• Transparency builds trust—trust that turns a one‑time attendee into a lifelong fan.

Conclusion

The APS investigation into Goldblum fan conventions has pulled back the curtain on a subtle but pervasive problem: coercive participation. By leveraging modern data tools—web scraping, NLP, and geofencing—the team was able to quantify how often fans are nudged into activities they didn’t choose. The good news? Armed with this knowledge, you can now spot coercion before it happens and even help shape future conventions to be more inclusive and respectful.

Remember: a fan convention should feel like an escape, not a compliance test. Keep your tickets, keep your voice, and enjoy the show—on your terms.