This trope is exactly what is wrong with comics (superhero or otherwise), and why fans have such a bad reputation. The level of jackasses in it is way too high, so this tends to alienate new readers. I think Chris Simms (on comics alliance) once said, the best AND worst things about comics, is the fans, and their level of dedication.

While I do agree with the law as a concept, the language used is just asking for flamebait. Further name-calling and making assumptions about their lives, accurate or not, is inherently hypocritical when you're going to call them "jackasses."

I could see additional graphs- one labelled "Law of fan jackassery according to hipsters" with a parabolic curve topping out with the subject's popularity, for example.

You could replace 'Fan Jackassery' with 'Fandom Zeal'.

The more mainstream exposure a work has, the fewer people feel that strongly about it, and the rare 'protector of the plot continuum' types can be ignored. If there's any community at all, most of the activity level will be more directed to other interests than the work.

Toward the middle of the curve, enough of the fanbase feel they have a special bond with the work to become attractive targets for attention-seeking trolls, and enough clueless noobs for the core community to start laying down law and swinging cluebats.

At the far end, the fewer fans are more humble about their devotion, so aren't easily incited to flamewar and don't provide trolls enough attention or fuel. Also clueless newbs are few enough to be dealt with patiently rather than outright Gannon Banned.

I'd say this is wrong. The drop off at mainstream is going the wrong way. The more mainstream something it, the more jackasses it seems to attract. Don't believe me? Twilight.