I think that fernandasouza is right, people have a job and make money, making music is the bands job. They are in an industry that is built on peoples love, so yes your going to have people who are obsesive, I was when I first started listining. But as I am now older I still totally love the band, they are my fav, but I don't obsess as I used to. Ok, well not as much. And I don't think any of them got into the buisness to try and help people, I think they did it to have a job they loved. And if you haven't noticed, they do work hard. I think it was in a blog or news somewhere on the site that said they play for 3 or 4 hours during the day and then the shows at night are like 2 or 3 hours long, that is at least like 5 hours, then count in the time for writing music, setting up, travling, being in airplanes, waiting at termainals. That is a part of thier job and they work most of the time. Alot of the pictures from the band in thier blogs are in airports or at the venue. They make music because they love it. If we could all love our jobs that much it would be great.

I agree with u in some ways .there are so many people obsessed with this band(me being one of them).and it is crazy all they do is make music (and take our money).I love them I listen to them all the time and i mean all the time.I go to sleep listning to them .I watch there vidios over and over and learn half the lyrics to the songs,I have pictures of the band and billy corgan on everything .And hen I grumpy or sad I listen to them some more.to tell the true It is really sick and absessve but they make me feel happy.I would really like to meat them one day but think how many other people want to. and to the band Im another annoying teenager.

And as billy say to the world in his song 'Im ready'
Its your fascination I could live without.

Hi beyourserf, I’ve read your personal opinion about the band/ fans.
I’m not smashing pumpkins’ lawyer (LOL) I’m just gonna tell you my personal opinion as you did. I think maybe you misunderstood listening to music and idolize someone. What’s wrong to listen to the songs? As you said, they have good musical abilities; therefore they can make good music, can’t they?
.You said “. I don't think it is healthy for the listener to idolize another human being just for making music. “I myself don’t think it is healthy for anyone to idolize anyone! I understand and agree with you that idolize someone is not healthy. But think. Most of the people who do this are teenagers, it’s common and it doesn’t last forever. If it does last and change someone’s life ok, it’s a problem. But I think, most of the teenagers do this, I myself “idolized” rock musician guys in my country when I was a teenager, but I’m not a teenager anymore, and it is all gone. I like the bands, but I don’t think I’m gonna “die” for them as I used to do... That’s natural
I really found funny the idea you have about money. I like the band, I buy the CDs, believe you or not they are cheaper here in my country (Brazil) than they are in the USA. I buy the CDs because I like to have them, and I think it is fair to pay them for something they made, that’s their job. Everyone one has a job and wants to receive money, don’t you think? I am a teacher, I love teaching, but I need the money… that’s capitalism. I don’t think it is fair to some people earn so much money and others (who most of the times work much harder) don’t. I live in one of the poorest country in the world so I know exactly that it is a great problem. But, unfortunately, I can’t solve this problem. I can help the people, give them food, but I can’t change the world by myself and you can’t do it either. So, what are you going to do? Stop buying cd’s because you don’t wanna give them money? Nowadays you know you can download the songs and listen to them, it’s not fair with the band (I think), but it’s easier, you can do it. But if you think like this you won´t watch movies anymore because the actors earn so much money, you won’t buy an Ipod to listen to the music (I’m not talking about SP only) because Apple has got so much money, you will not even have a computer because Microsoft made Bill Gates rich, didn’t it?
You said “do you think Billy would put so much marketing effort into trying to get people to buy his cd's if his main goal was helping people?” do you think his main goal was helping people? I had never thought that he decided to make music to help someone. I don’t know what his aim is, but I don’t care, his aim makes no difference to me. I like the songs and that’s it. I can’t explain why I like Smashing Pumpkins, I really can’t. I think the lyrics are sometimes what I’m feeling, and I’m happy that someone could feel the way I do and made this a song. However, he may not be feeling what the lyric is saying, maybe it’s just like poetry the “poetic voice” but I don’t care.
“I promise you that everyone reading this is just as talented as Billy or Jimmy.” Yes, of course we are, but I couldn’t do it, I’m good at another thing, right? So, what’s wrong if they are talented at making music?
“It's not healthy for them to believe that they are this essential part of people's lives”
Do they think this? Have they said this in an interview? I really don’t know and I really don’t care… If they said this I won’t stop listening to them, I’ll just feel sorry for them if they think this, but my “relationship” with the band won’t change at all.
Ok, I won’t write anymore because it is too long! I hope I was kind
And I hope you understood my English