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[Solid SOAP]

Can someone show me where nerd culture is growing popular? Because people are interested in Star Wars?

Might as well just say it's becoming popular because everyone has a computer.

*The huge burst in popularity of comic book heroes in culture. (Not even just the films themselves, but the fashion attached to them)

*Video game systems being replaced with all-in-one media devices, thus more people are playing games, more "Blockbuster" games exist. (Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Halo, etc)

*Not being able to escape from Star Wars, Star Trek, etc merch being found nearly everywhere.

The list goes on! The culture is vapid in America that... ugh... "it's cool to be a nerd," I suppose.

 

[jph139]

I'm of two minds on this sort of thing. On one hand, I do take issue with people claiming to be fans of something without a long history on the subject - I'm a comic book guy. I know a LOT about, say, Spider-Man. I know his backstory, the various writers and artists, his supporting cast, his villains, the real nitty-gritty stuff from 50+ years of comic book history. That took effort. That took a lot of reading, a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of dedication. You can like Spider-Man, but calling yourself a Spider-Man fan just because you watched a few movies?

It's like faking your credentials. Doesn't matter if you think, like, biology or history is cool - you can't just hang a diploma on the wall. The people who actually went through years of schooling get to hang up a diploma. They earned that shit.

And a lot of that has to do with social status. If you're a nerd - if you're not popular, you don't have many friends, you don't have a lot in your life going on - your subculture becomes your life in many ways. That's what you've got. So when people who have a lot more going on and live in the mainstream come along and take that away, what else is left? If being "Batman Guy" is a huge part of your self-identity and suddenly everyone loves Batman, you no longer have an identity. That hurts.

But on the other hand - at this point, I don't care. I have a lot more going on in my life than just nerdy shit and reading comic books and playing video games, so I don't really care too much about fandom. And it has some perks, too - being a guy who knows a lot about the new Marvel stuff definitely helps with your popularity nowadays. But since I was that guy at one point, with so much invested in my "nerd cultures," I remember how it feels to have so much invested there.

So it's not really something I feel anymore, but I understand where they're coming from.

 

[freenudemacusers]

I wonder if the scribes in the 1400s moaned about books becoming lamestream once gutenberg hit the scene.

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

*The huge burst in popularity of comic book heroes in culture. (Not even just the films themselves, but the fashion attached to them)

*Video game systems being replaced with all-in-one media devices, thus more people are playing games, more "Blockbuster" games exist. (Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Halo, etc)

*Not being able to escape from Star Wars, Star Trek, etc merch being found nearly everywhere.

The list goes on! The culture is vapid in America that... ugh... "it's cool to be a nerd," I suppose.

Pretty big stretches man. Where is this merch everywhere? I don't see people with Star Wars or Star Trek stuff very often. Video game devices are not really about nerds anymore. They are a medium just like film, television, art, etc and can represent any culture. The comic book one might make some sense but people have been making Superman/Batman blockbuster films for decades.

 

[Solid SOAP]

I'm of two minds on this sort of thing. On one hand, I do take issue with people claiming to be fans of something without a long history on the subject - I'm a comic book guy. I know a LOT about, say, Spider-Man. I know his backstory, the various writers and artists, his supporting cast, his villains, the real nitty-gritty stuff from 50+ years of comic book history. That took effort. That took a lot of reading, a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of dedication. You can like Spider-Man, but calling yourself a Spider-Man fan just because you watched a few movies?

It's like faking your credentials. Doesn't matter if you think, like, biology or history is cool - you can't just hang a diploma on the wall. The people who actually went through years of schooling get to hang up a diploma. They earned that shit.

Can you not be a casual fan of something though? Perhaps popular culture isn't a huge part of this person's life, and they are very busy all the time. But, alas, they have found a lot of pleasure in escaping into the Spider-Man world on their off time, enough to consider themself a fan of it. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

FYI I don't mean to come across as confrontational! I just wanna gauge everyone's sides on this, especially because you seem to be a level-headed person.

Pretty big stretches man. Where is this merch everywhere? I don't see people with Star Wars or Star Trek stuff very often.

Not literally everywhere, but go to any Target, Walmart, K-Mart, etc. Any superstore you see, there will likely be a Star Wars section, super heroes section, etc. Stores like Hot Topic and Spencers are pretty big on selling gamer and super hero related stuff there too.

Video game devices are not really about nerds anymore. They are a medium just like film, television, art, etc and can represent any culture. The comic book one might make some sense but people have been making Superman/Batman blockbuster films for decades.

I put "nerd" in quotes for a reason in my title. I find it silly to hear someone say something like: "Man, just anybody thinks they can be a gamer these days!" when I find it to be pretty damn cool that gaming has become more of an accepted form of popular culture than ever before.

And regarding super heroes, well of course, you're not wrong. But back then, those were the only big super hero movies. Superman and Batman were beloved back then, but today we have not only Superman and Batman plastered everywhere, but Spiderman, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Green Lantern, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Wonder Woman, the X-Men,... you name it, it's there, and it's everywhere. Again, you'd be hardpressed not to find shirts featuring most of the characters I mentioned in any of the stores I mentioned above.

 

[Afrodium]

I'm of two minds on this sort of thing. On one hand, I do take issue with people claiming to be fans of something without a long history on the subject - I'm a comic book guy. I know a LOT about, say, Spider-Man. I know his backstory, the various writers and artists, his supporting cast, his villains, the real nitty-gritty stuff from 50+ years of comic book history. That took effort. That took a lot of reading, a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of dedication. You can like Spider-Man, but calling yourself a Spider-Man fan just because you watched a few movies?

It's like faking your credentials. Doesn't matter if you think, like, biology or history is cool - you can't just hang a diploma on the wall. The people who actually went through years of schooling get to hang up a diploma. They earned that shit.

And a lot of that has to do with social status. If you're a nerd - if you're not popular, you don't have many friends, you don't have a lot in your life going on - your subculture becomes your life in many ways. That's what you've got. So when people who have a lot more going on and live in the mainstream come along and take that away, what else is left? If being "Batman Guy" is a huge part of your self-identity and suddenly everyone loves Batman, you no longer have an identity. That hurts.

But on the other hand - at this point, I don't care. I have a lot more going on in my life than just nerdy shit and reading comic books and playing video games, so I don't really care too much about fandom. And it has some perks, too - being a guy who knows a lot about the new Marvel stuff definitely helps with your popularity nowadays. But since I was that guy at one point, with so much invested in my "nerd cultures," I remember how it feels to have so much invested there.

So it's not really something I feel anymore, but I understand where they're coming from.

As someone who has always been intimidated by just how fucking expansive comic books are, I absolutely understand how being into superheroes for decades only to have people watch a few movies claim to be fans as wel can be upsetting, but isn't it obvious to them that you're a bigger fan? It seems there's a disconnect between what you mean by fan and what fans of the movies mean by fan is very different, and that movie fans would understand that you're on a whole different level than them. Can't you still be the "Batman Guy" because you have so much knowledge about it? Can't you suggest comic books for fans of the Dark Knight trilogy to get into? If anything, the deluge of nerdy media should allow you to forge an identity among your friends and co-workers as THE Batman authority that can point them in the right direction in their newfound interest in the franchise.

 

[M3d10n]

I love it because it makes my interest viable conversation material in social situations, something unthinkable during my teens.

Another bonus: nobody tells me I'm "using the computer too much" nowadays, because they are all doing it as well!

Thing is, a lot of "bros" actually did like "nerd stuff" when they were younger. They just didn't expose themselves back then and had "normal" interests they could rely on for socializing. When they get older and suddenly find out their co-workers like videogames and watch anime as well, they come out of the closet.

 

[Solid SOAP]

I personally consider myself a Batman fan. I watched The Dark Knight, and I got hooked on the character. After watching TDK, I watched Begins. After that, I picked up a few classic comics such as The Dark Knight Returns, Mad Love, and even a collection of newspaper serials.

However, I haven't really done much in the way of expanding my knowledge of the franchise beyond what I've already read. I'm not claiming to be a super fan or anything, but you know what? It's pretty damn easy to find Batman merch out there. I LOVED the movies, and I really enjoyed the comics I've read. No shit I'm gonna wear a Batman shirt if I see one! Am I not a "real" fan of Batman because I'm not fully immersed in the culture of it? I don't think so.

 

[The Technomancer]

I'm of two minds on this sort of thing. On one hand, I do take issue with people claiming to be fans of something without a long history on the subject - I'm a comic book guy. I know a LOT about, say, Spider-Man. I know his backstory, the various writers and artists, his supporting cast, his villains, the real nitty-gritty stuff from 50+ years of comic book history. That took effort. That took a lot of reading, a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of dedication. You can like Spider-Man, but calling yourself a Spider-Man fan just because you watched a few movies?

It's like faking your credentials. Doesn't matter if you think, like, biology or history is cool - you can't just hang a diploma on the wall. The people who actually went through years of schooling get to hang up a diploma. They earned that shit.

And a lot of that has to do with social status. If you're a nerd - if you're not popular, you don't have many friends, you don't have a lot in your life going on - your subculture becomes your life in many ways. That's what you've got. So when people who have a lot more going on and live in the mainstream come along and take that away, what else is left? If being "Batman Guy" is a huge part of your self-identity and suddenly everyone loves Batman, you no longer have an identity. That hurts.

But on the other hand - at this point, I don't care. I have a lot more going on in my life than just nerdy shit and reading comic books and playing video games, so I don't really care too much about fandom. And it has some perks, too - being a guy who knows a lot about the new Marvel stuff definitely helps with your popularity nowadays. But since I was that guy at one point, with so much invested in my "nerd cultures," I remember how it feels to have so much invested there.

So it's not really something I feel anymore, but I understand where they're coming from.

All of this is just why I think the term "fan" needs to die. Yes I do consider myself a "Spider-Man fan" because the movies were a large part of my youth and I enjoyed some of the video games and toys. Fuck anyone who thinks that I need "cred" to be a fan. The term needs to end

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

One could make the case nerds were popular in the 80s with the Revenge of the Nerds movies, films like Real Genius, Bladerunner, Weird Science, and so on.

This was also back when everyone was into stuff like arcades, pinball, nintendo/atari. Just giving you some perspective OP. How old are you btw?

 

[DominoKid]

cause they realize it's not the actual product that folks have a problem with. people just have a general problem with weird motherfuckers.

 

[ActuallyHulk]

I only care when it gets cringeworthy like "lol us gamers xD" or #whyigame or things like the typical "They told me to get a life so I got many".

 

[bengraven]

Suncoast was expensive. Their stores attract people who feel good about overpaying for movies and anime. I remember when $20 got you 3 episodes of an anime. Now everyone wants to stream or torrent movies as well as anime. Just think what might of been produced had we all paid to watch each episode.

I know, it sucked. And it was more like $30.

I remember how depressing it was to finally get to drive 60 minutes away to the biggest city that had a Suncoast and finding out I could get four episodes of a show or one movie and then just have enough left over for some food and maybe a few comics.

We learned quickly to bootleg from each other and it was anime that did that. We all wanted my friends' copies of Oh My Goddess OVA for example, but fucking 90 for the three VHSs?

 

[jph139]

Can you not be a casual fan of something though? Perhaps popular culture isn't a huge part of this person's life, and they are very busy all the time. But, alas, they have found a lot of pleasure in escaping into the Spider-Man world on their off time, enough to consider themself a fan of it. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

FYI I don't mean to come across as confrontational! I just wanna gauge everyone's sides on this, especially because you seem to be a level-headed person.

There is, definitely. But - in my experience - people generally don't make distinctions like that. People generally talk in terms of "I'm a HUGE fan of X!" even if they aren't actually that invested. I do my best to, though; I'll phrase stuff I'm really into as stuff I'm "a fan of," and stuff I'm a more casually into as stuff that "I like," to try and make it clear to the other person what level of familiarity I have.

Some people are definitely way too defensive about it though. "Oh, you like X? But you've never heard of Obscure Thing Y? Well FUCK YOU THEN!" It'd be a lot more fruitful if people take other people's lack of knowledge as a teachable moment than as a way to insult people. "You've never heard of Obscure Thing Y? It's super interesting, let me tell you about it!"

Of course, some people are legitimate posers, and don't actually care about the subject and just like the concept. And those people are frustrating to talk to! But I think it's best to give people benefit of the doubt.

As someone who has always been intimidated by just how fucking expansive comic books are, I absolutely understand how being into superheroes for decades only to have people watch a few movies claim to be fans as wel can be upsetting, but isn't it obvious to them that you're a bigger fan? It seems there's a disconnect between what you mean by fan and what fans of the movies mean by fan is very different, and that movie fans would understand that you're on a whole different level than them. Can't you still be the "Batman Guy" because you have so much knowledge about it? Can't you suggest comic books for fans of the Dark Knight trilogy to get into? If anything, the deluge of nerdy media should allow you to forge an identity among your friends and co-workers as THE Batman authority that can point them in the right direction in their newfound interest in the franchise.

Oh yeah, definitely. In my experience that's generally how it goes - in my circle of friends I'm the go-to knowledge base for anything Marvel and love an excuse to ramble about the stuff. But for some people there's a lot of fear associated with that. Particularly because, even if "guy who likes Batman" is normal, "guy who has a basement full of comics" still has a lot of stigma.

 

[Solid SOAP]

Of course, some people are legitimate posers, and don't actually care about the subject and just like the concept. And those people are frustrating to talk to! But I think it's best to give people benefit of the doubt.

What makes a person a poser though? I have a friend who has a few Wonder Woman shirts, but doesn't really know anything about Wonder Woman. She likes the idea of a female super hero and wishes there was more representation of women in media, thus she resonates with the idea of a powerful female hero, but there's not much else out there to help her identify with it so she chooses to wear such clothes.

Fashion is fashion, and super heroes can mean a lot more to people than what their stories tell, ya know? The TDK trilogy talks about how Batman is more of a symbol than a person, and I find that to resonate in the culture of the characters as well. A person can see a super hero insignia and feel powerful, maybe they'll want to wear a Superman shirt to the gym because that little bit of inspiration will help push them further, ya know? That's just how I feel.

 

[LeleSocho]

I apologize for missing your point. The impression I got from your post was that the people in this who were truly "nerds" were the ones who were bullied. I know you didn't say it explicitly, but the context of the thread made me assume what you were referring to that. What in this thread alerts you to which posters are true "nerds"?

Actually you are right, i now noticed that my post could've been easily interpreted in that way, my bad.
What shows me who really has been a "nerd" (god how much i hate this word) or not is that anyone who spent copious amounts of time into anything (not only related to vgs or comics/manga/anime) to the point which it almost became a raison d'etre can easily understand how the big and highly volatile audience can alter the hobby in question to accomodate the new people to the point of changing everything the hobby has been up until that moment.

Imagine if all the people who likes football (soccer) for a weird reason start liking basketball and think that it might be good if the teams were formed by 11 people, that one has to be always under the basket and it was okay to control the ball with feet. Of course this is an exaggeration to make an example of what i said.

 

[Parallax]

What makes a person a poser though? I have a friend who has a few Wonder Woman shirts, but doesn't really know anything about Wonder Woman. She likes the idea of a female super hero and wishes there was more representation of women in media, thus she resonates with the idea of a powerful female hero, but there's not much else out there to help her identify with it so she chooses to wear such clothes.

Fashion is fashion, and super heroes can mean a lot more to people than what their stories tell, ya know? The TDK trilogy talks about how Batman is more of a symbol than a person, and I find that to resonate in the culture of the characters as well. A person can see a super hero insignia and feel powerful, maybe they'll want to wear a Superman shirt to the gym because that little bit of inspiration will help push them further, ya know? That's just how I feel.

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with being a casual fan. My younger cousin has tons of superman stuff simply from the animated series appearances and the christopher reeves movies. I feel that a lot of the true fandom headbutting comes from forums, since i havent seen people questioning people in public because they have a ninja spider-man pin

 

[Disgraced]

I'm of two minds on this sort of thing. On one hand, I do take issue with people claiming to be fans of something without a long history on the subject - I'm a comic book guy. I know a LOT about, say, Spider-Man. I know his backstory, the various writers and artists, his supporting cast, his villains, the real nitty-gritty stuff from 50+ years of comic book history. That took effort. That took a lot of reading, a lot of money, a lot of time, and a lot of dedication. You can like Spider-Man, but calling yourself a Spider-Man fan just because you watched a few movies?

It's like faking your credentials. Doesn't matter if you think, like, biology or history is cool - you can't just hang a diploma on the wall. The people who actually went through years of schooling get to hang up a diploma. They earned that shit.

And a lot of that has to do with social status. If you're a nerd - if you're not popular, you don't have many friends, you don't have a lot in your life going on - your subculture becomes your life in many ways. That's what you've got. So when people who have a lot more going on and live in the mainstream come along and take that away, what else is left? If being "Batman Guy" is a huge part of your self-identity and suddenly everyone loves Batman, you no longer have an identity. That hurts.

But on the other hand - at this point, I don't care. I have a lot more going on in my life than just nerdy shit and reading comic books and playing video games, so I don't really care too much about fandom. And it has some perks, too - being a guy who knows a lot about the new Marvel stuff definitely helps with your popularity nowadays. But since I was that guy at one point, with so much invested in my "nerd cultures," I remember how it feels to have so much invested there.

So it's not really something I feel anymore, but I understand where they're coming from.

Ultimately, I feel I fall into this camp. Admittedly however, I am totally still bit sour about things that happened in the past. I'm sorry I haven't completely let go. But one day, I will I think.

 

[Angelus Errare]

So basically you guys feel the same way as say Native Americans/African American/<insert minority group> do when America appropriates their culture but gives them no credit and continues to shit on them in the same breath?

 

[Solid SOAP]

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with being a casual fan. My younger cousin has tons of superman stuff simply from the animated series appearances and the christopher reeves movies. I feel that a lot of the true fandom headbutting comes from forums, since i havent seen people questioning people in public because they have a ninja spider-man pin

Eh, I know a few people in the real world who do this. Not many, but enough that it's bothersome to me.

 

[jph139]

What makes a person a poser though? I have a friend who has a few Wonder Woman shirts, but doesn't really know anything about Wonder Woman. She likes the idea of a female super hero and wishes there was more representation of women in media, thus she resonates with the idea of a powerful female hero, but there's not much else out there to help her identify with it so she chooses to wear such clothes.

Fashion is fashion, and super heroes can mean a lot more to people than what their stories tell, ya know? The TDK trilogy talks about how Batman is more of a symbol than a person, and I find that to resonate in the culture of the characters as well. A person can see a super hero insignia and feel powerful, maybe they'll want to wear a Superman shirt to the gym because that little bit of inspiration will help push them further, ya know? That's just how I feel.

To offer a counterpoint - let's say I like Superman, and you're wearing a Superman shirt. That says to me that we could have a conversation about Superman, even if you don't know a lot about him. So I mention Superman and you say "Nah, I don't actually like Superman, I just like this shirt" - now I feel silly and am disappointed. Toss in the traditional stigma of being a nerd, and suddenly I've outed myself as a "weirdo" to a "normal person." And if they're a woman? Oh man. The sort of people who are super into nerdy stuff generally do not have good experiences with women.

The more socially aware you are, and the more diverse your interests are, the less of an issue this is. Like, a person should have a lot more to talk about than Superman. But to people who are already really introverted and find it hard to talk to others, it's really uncomfortable - like I said, I've been there.

Also - it's really hard for people who haven't spent a lot of their lives as awkward nerds to get that this is really serious to some people. Like I said, a lot of their self-identification comes from being "Superman Guy" - it's a huge part of their life. I know some people to whom Magic the Gathering and the weekly tournaments are as big a deal as going to church. My friend brings me to the local game shop now and then, and I can tell how disappointed they are when I'm hanging out there but don't have a deck to play with or cards to trade.

 

[Beelzebufo]

cause they realize it's not the actual product that folks have a problem with. people just have a general problem with weird motherfuckers.

Yeah, that's another good way of putting it. "People don't like me because I like Star Trek" is a lot easier to process than "People don't like me because everything I do is alienating to other people", but the first becomes harder to still kid yourself into believing when the competent guy down the street likes Stsr Trek too.

 

[SilentRacoon]

Because these people hate loosing that fake sense of uniqueness, they like being the special little snowflake that is into something everybody else just ignores.

Once it reaches mainstream status, then they are no longer experts on the matter, and can no longer rub in others people faces their trivial knowledge for that specific subject, it's really the only way they have to achieve a feel of superiority over others, it's really damn sad and pathetic.

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

Because these people hate loosing that fake sense of uniqueness, they like being the special little snowflake that is into something everybody else just ignores.

Once it reaches mainstream status, then they are no longer experts on the matter, and can no longer rub in others people faces their trivial knowledge for that specific subject, it's really the only way they have to achieve a feel of superiority over others, it's really damn sad and pathetic.

Whoa man why so angry?

 

[GorillaJu]

It's pretty understandable.

13 year old me listened to indie music because I wanted something different from what all the assholes who picked on me liked. I wanted to find something for myself that they didn't like. 19 year old me heard Modest Mouse playing in the gym PA and now all the people who used to pick on me suddenly think all the music I like is cool. But am I cool? Nah of course not.

So I go more local and more unknown, run away from the people who I resent and hang out with people like me.

All sub culture is the same I think

 

[Beelzebufo]

Whoa man why so angry?

Didn't come off as angry to me as much as is honest. Pathetic is the word I'd use too.

 

[Parallax]

Because these people hate loosing that fake sense of uniqueness, they like being the special little snowflake that is into something everybody else just ignores.

Once it reaches mainstream status, then they are no longer experts on the matter, and can no longer rub in others people faces their trivial knowledge for that specific subject, it's really the only way they have to achieve a feel of superiority over others, it's really damn sad and pathetic.

Why? Its not like just because something is a popular name that people suddenly feel the need to jump in. Comics arent blowing up because comic movies are popular.

 

[Beelzebufo]

Why? Its not like just because something is a popular name that people suddenly feel the need to jump in. Comics arent blowing up because comic movies are popular.

Yeah, but now I'm not the only guy in the room who knows that "Howard the Duck", "Groot", and "Thanos" are all things

How am I supposed to seem smart?

 

[Karsticles]

Because these people hate loosing that fake sense of uniqueness, they like being the special little snowflake that is into something everybody else just ignores.

Once it reaches mainstream status, then they are no longer experts on the matter, and can no longer rub in others people faces their trivial knowledge for that specific subject, it's really the only way they have to achieve a feel of superiority over others, it's really damn sad and pathetic.

This is incredibly wrong. I come on NeoGAF solely because I don't want to be the only one. When I post in the UMvC3 OT, I love the fact that there are at least 4-5 other posters with the same encyclopedic knowledge of the game that I have. I would absolutely love it if most fans of games were like this. I am a teacher, and a lot of my students play video games. One of them is into competitive Smash Bros, and I thoroughly enjoy exchanging bits of wisdom with him and furthering my knowledge base. If everyone were into it, and had an understanding on my level (or above it!), that would be some kind of crazy nerd utopia for me.

You have it all wrong.

Another word for nerd in this context is enthusiast. Do you think that car enthusiasts hate it when they meet other car enthusiasts and can discuss vehicles in depth? Of course not! Conventions of all kinds exist solely because enthusiasts want to meet other enthusiasts. When I was working on my philosophy MA, it was so exciting being around so many people who cared about the same things I do. Otherwise, I am stuck in the hum-drums of normal work life, surrounded by people who want to talk about who won last night's football game. Trust me, I would rather not be the "unique snowflake" in this situation. I want to talk to other people about what I'm interested in. Finding others like me is not what's painful. Being without them is.

This is why the popularity is so painful. It seems, for a moment, that I am finally not alone. I am in good company - a group of people say they love fighting games. GREAT! Then it turns out they just like to mash buttons, and my massive knowledge base of advanced tech is "cheap" to them. They don't like playing with me, and get angry. Do you think that feels good? Do you think I am so happy in that moment, because I get to keep being a unique snowflake? The distaste for the popularity comes from the fact that everyone around me says they love something I do, but they don't. It could be replaced by watching a football game, or going to a bar, or playing roshambo. They don't care about the activity at all like I do, and that sucks.

Yeah, but now I'm not the only guy in the room who knows that "Howard the Duck", "Groot", and "Thanos" are all things

How am I supposed to seem smart?

Pfft, I knew Howard the Duck when I was a wee lad. I loved that movie...for some reason. Maybe it was the tentacles.

 

[GorillaJu]

Yeah, but now I'm not the only guy in the room who knows that "Howard the Duck", "Groot", and "Thanos" are all things

How am I supposed to seem smart?

It's not about looking smart, it's about having something your own that you identify with. You seem incapable of empathy.

 

[Disgraced]

So basically you guys feel the same way as say Native Americans/African American/<insert minority group> do when America appropriates their culture but gives them no credit and continues to shit on them in the same breath?

I'm pretty sure those issues are extremities when compared to the one discussed here. But maybe? Maybe not?...

Frankly, in the end this whole debacle is really hard for me to wrap my head around because I find it so strange.

Also - it's really hard for people who haven't spent a lot of their lives as awkward nerds to get that this is really serious to some people. Like I said, a lot of their self-identification comes from being "Superman Guy" - it's a huge part of their life. I know some people to whom Magic the Gathering and the weekly tournaments are as big a deal as going to church. My friend brings me to the local game shop now and then, and I can tell how disappointed they are when I'm hanging out there but don't have a deck to play with or cards to trade.

This may happen in terms of "big-budget" stuff, but I think the expansion of the market actually allows the niche markets to stay viable.

What these 'nerds' don't know is that some people they call 'dudebro' were once 'nerds' like them. But they also have interests in other things like sports and the physicality of those interests transformed their body. But they still like many things 'nerds' claim to love. Some of the guys in the gym that I know are far more into comics and anime than I do. Some are even into WoW, which I have no time for.

The thing is though, I'd say most people actually don't really care what others like. Some may even find it cute that someone likes comic, anime etc. What get people teased over is when you start veering into the obsessive territory. Like that post Philly40 quoted OR talking which one is more powerful: Batman or Saiyan OR being upset that others start liking their hobby. Yes, there will be those who are douchey enough to make fun of your hobby but most people usually just go "Oh, that's interesting" and go on with their life.

You guys really got me thinking about this niche market stuff, though. Or just the idea of the term "niche" in general. I really think you're right, orthodoxy.

There are so many--tons of different niche interests and subcultures that could be classified as "nerdy" or "geeky." You could make that popular argument for why labels are lame. I mean, I personally hate labels for their tendency to be derogatory. But of course we need them. They're useful.

Perhaps a whole section of this debate is pointless? I don't know what I'm trying to convey entirely. People can have broad interests. I know I do, though most of them fall into what are probably considered stereotypically nerdy. Posers do exist though.

My head hurts, you guys. This thing is a paradox, I know it.

 

[Solid SOAP]

Why? Its not like just because something is a popular name that people suddenly feel the need to jump in. Comics arent blowing up because comic movies are popular.

I'd be inclined to disagree. Film is such a huge part of our culture, it helps fuel other facets of culture from fashion to television. I bet you didn't see many Avengers specials on Cartoon Network before Marvel Studio's released their Avengers property to the big screen. Same goes for clothing and the overall culture expanding. More people are donning super heroes than ever before it seems, it's just become apart of our culture to like super heroes.

Just as any medium, there's going to be casual fans like there are more hardcore fans. There are a lot of people who like sports, they will go to a few games here and there, try to catch one or two a week, and just find enjoyment from watching them. And then there are a lot of people who REALLY get into it and know the stats of every player and are validated experts on them. It's the same with comic books and video games.

 

[Parallax]

Yeah, but now I'm not the only guy in the room who knows that "Howard the Duck", "Groot", and "Thanos" are all things

How am I supposed to seem smart?

Because knowing they are characters and knowing they exist are two different things.

You know what pisses me off as a fan? Misrepresentation.

Aquaman has been deemed a fool for decades all because of his appearance in a cartoon series that made everyone look stupid. Hes incredibly popular because of that very same series. People know of him, but they dont know him.

Hank pym is another. Deemed a wife beater for years, and even in various comics by people who should know better. Doesnt help that he isnt one, and that characters who try to call him out on it really have no business pointing fingers at anyone.

I dont care that you like cyborg, son of vulcan, deadpool, troia, whatever. I dont even care if its simply cosmetic. The problem comes when people open their mouths like experts and are completely wrong

 

[Beelzebufo]

It's not about looking smart, it's about having something your own that you identify with. You seem incapable of empathy.

I mean, it's still pretty pathetic either way, if not more so. Like if the one thing you use to identify yourself with was created by someone you may never meet, and is enjoyed by tons of people you don't know? Yikes.

That's what usually bums me out when I see people obsessing over tiny changes to series or characters or whatever, because I know that's probably the only thing they have going for them. It's really depressing, I don't wanna see that shit.

It's also really selish if you're on of the people who gets mad at others, like this thread is talking about. Like what gives you the right to take some thing (that somebody else created) and say "This is the thing I like, you can't like it too because I need an identity". I mean, seriously?

 

[Pau]

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with being a casual fan. My younger cousin has tons of superman stuff simply from the animated series appearances and the christopher reeves movies. I feel that a lot of the true fandom headbutting comes from forums, since i havent seen people questioning people in public because they have a ninja spider-man pin

Really? I've had it happen far more often offline than online. Then again, people very pointedly bring my gender into it. :/

 

[Parallax]

I'd be inclined to disagree. Film is such a huge part of our culture, it helps fuel other facets of culture from fashion to television. I bet you didn't see many Avengers specials on Cartoon Network before Marvel Studio's released their Avengers property to the big screen. Same goes for clothing and the overall culture expanding. More people are donning super heroes than ever before it seems, it's just become apart of our culture to like super heroes.

Just as any medium, there's going to be casual fans like there are more hardcore fans. There are a lot of people who like sports, they will go to a few games here and there, try to catch one or two a week, and just find enjoyment from watching them. And then there are a lot of people who REALLY get into it and know the stats of every player and are validated experts on them. It's the same with comic books and video games.

while not titled the avengers (outside of the 90s series) there have been varying series involving plenty of avengers for a good while. silver surfer, iron man, the fantastic four all had runs before their movies. theyve been going back since the 60s, hell even spider woman had a series in the 60s.

Really? I've had it happen far more often offline than online. Then again, people very pointedly bring my gender into it. :/

dudes actually approach you in the street? thats stunning.

 

[Disgraced]

Because knowing they are characters and knowing they exist are two different things.

You know what pisses me off as a fan? Misrepresentation.

Aquaman has been deemed a fool for decades all because of his appearance in a cartoon series that made everyone look stupid. Hes incredibly popular because of that very same series. People know of him, but they dont know him.

Hank pym is another. Deemed a wife beater for years, and even in various comics by people who should know better. Doesnt help that he isnt one, and that characters who try to call him out on it really have no business pointing fingers at anyone.

I dont care that you like cyborg, son of vulcan, deadpool, troia, whatever. I dont even care if its simply cosmetic. The problem comes when people open their mouths like experts and are completely wrong

Yeah. This coming from the part of me that sort of likes seeing this stuff in mainstream sometimes (when it's good), it especially sucks when misrepresentation and contorted misinterpretation by the mainstream is part of the reason the real and cool representation doesn't break into the mainstream. Especially concerning cases like Aquaman, Hank Pym, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, etc. If that makes sense?

 

[nintendork666]

When someone else is even sort of into what I'm really interested in, I become very excited and immediately begin to try to talk to them about whatever passions we share. If someone knows more than me, I'm just as happy to be educated as I am to teach others about my obsessions. I wish everyone shared my media preferences. Wii U would be selling like hot cakes, and there'd be Criterion Collection blu-rays in every store.

 

[Parallax]

Yeah. This coming from the part of me that sort of likes seeing this stuff in mainstream sometimes (when it's good), it especially sucks when misrepresentation and contorted misinterpretation by the mainstream is part of the reason the real and cool representation doesn't break into the mainstream. Especially concerning cases like Aquaman, Hank Pym, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, etc. If that makes sense?

its one of the reasons im kinda disappointed in old man pym being a thing, while at the same time cant wait to see what jason momoa can do for aquaman

 

[SilentRacoon]

This is incredibly wrong. I come on NeoGAF solely because I don't want to be the only one. When I post in the UMvC3 OT, I love the fact that there are at least 4-5 other posters with the same encyclopedic knowledge of the game that I have. I would absolutely love it if most fans of games were like this. I am a teacher, and a lot of my students play video games. One of them is into competitive Smash Bros, and I thoroughly enjoy exchanging bits of wisdom with him and furthering my knowledge base. If everyone were into it, and had an understanding on my level (or above it!), that would be some kind of crazy nerd utopia for me.

You have it all wrong.


Pfft, I knew Howard the Duck when I was a wee lad. I loved that movie...for some reason. Maybe it was the tentacles.

Then you and I pretty much agree, you are most definitely not the people I was referring to, you welcome and embrace newcomers into the hobby you are into, because you appreciate the diversity of opinions and discussion of the subject. I described a set of people that from my own experience, tend to isolate themselves in a bubble and refuses to acknowledge any outside perspective that differs from the ideas they have already set.

Kind of like when you start playing a new game and the self-proclaimed "pros" or experienced players try to shrug you away by being rude about it, calling you derogatory (albeit accurate in some cases) names.

It's a very silly phenomenon that to me, reeks of people desperately trying to be superior at something, rather than teaching and learning from what fresh faces perspective might add to the things you enjoy.

 

[Pau]

dudes actually approach you in the street? thats stunning.

I don't know if that's a shot at me, or if you're surprised that strangers do this.

But yeah, online it seems to be "You're not a real fan because you don't have x opinion" while offline it's "You're not a real fan because you look like x."

 

[ReiGun]

They hate the idea that they're no longer special due to knowing more about Star Wars or whatever the fuck than the average person.

Many of them now have to confront the fact that their poor social standing is actually due to personality problems than because of what they like. On the flip side of the, the sense of community that came from thinking everyone who liked anime was a "loser just like me" is evaporating.

Those who were made fun of for liking xyz now feel resentment as they see the kind of people that once tormented them now also like xyz too.

They blame the mainstream for "dumbing down" their things. Sometimes this has merit, other times is just "I don't like change!" mentality run amuck.

Some are just assholes, and were free to be assholes in their little nerd pocket till all these minorities and women and gays came in and started telling them "Hey. You're being an asshole."

Jumping off that last one, as more people enter the culture and find their voice, some are angry at critiques of their favorite things. This is due to folks wrapping their identity too much in with the stuff they like. See: Gamergate

 

[Karsticles]

Then you and I pretty much agree, you are most definitely not the people I was referring to, you welcome and embrace newcomers into the hobby you are into, because you appreciate the diversity of opinions and discussion of the subject. I described a set of people that from my own experience, tend to isolate themselves in a bubble and refuses to acknowledge any outside perspective that differs from the ideas they have already set.

Kind of like when you start playing a new game and the self-proclaimed "pros" or experienced players try to shrug you away by being rude about it, calling you derogatory (albeit accurate in some cases) names.

It's a very silly phenomenon that to me, reeks of people desperately trying to be superior at something, rather than teaching and learning from what fresh faces perspective might add to the things you enjoy.

I generally find that the sort of person you are describing is not actually a nerd that appreciates the game on a higher level, but is a loser in general. They shun new experiences and competition, and just want to be great at something. Like the person who is into the experience for the social aspect, the person you are describing is only into the game insofar as he or she can feel good doing it (see: a huge number of people that enjoy Call of Duty games). These people are incidentally attached to the hobby. Something else could easily come along to replace it, so long as it helped shelter their low self-esteem. I don't count them among nerds. I generally call them "dorks" or "losers".

If I am reading you right, I think we agree on this.

 

[Parallax]

I don't know if that's a shot at me, or if you're surprised that strangers do this.

But yeah, online it seems to be "You're not a real fan because you don't have x opinion" while offline it's "You're not a real fan because you look like x."

No shots. Sincerity. Maybe its just ive been lucky enough to be imposing enough for dudes not to try me.

 

[injurai]

Because those that were popular shunned them for it, now a new generation is cool for it and reaped all the benefits of being cool.

 

[noquarter]

Part of it could also be that, especially with comics recently, going to places like conventions has become a pain in the ass. Used to be easy to go to major conventions and find some good books. Now you have to pay a lot more money or get lucky since people are going. Also makes it so when you get there you have a lot of people crowding the areas but not the to look, just getting in the way.

Good thing is there are more smaller ones. Think there are minor one day 'conventions' near me every other weekend. Those usually have nobody there and are still a good way to get some deals

I wish Warhammer 40k was more mainstream. Everyone rips it off and it's never gotten it's day in the sun

40K still is pretty hard to get into. Tried a couple of years ago and finding people to start was pretty difficult. Then the amount of money needed was also a barrier. Once we overcame that, space and time were other obstacles we fought with. Still haven't finished painting my army yet, but one day...

 

[ReiGun]

No shots. Sincerity. Maybe its just ive been lucky enough to be imposing enough for dudes not to try me.

I've always come across as exactly the kind of guy who would be a nerd, so I never had anyone question me. I can imagine it would be different for women tho. Especially knowing how many nerds have no idea how to interact with them.

 

[Northeastmonk]

I know, it sucked. And it was more like $30.

I remember how depressing it was to finally get to drive 60 minutes away to the biggest city that had a Suncoast and finding out I could get four episodes of a show or one movie and then just have enough left over for some food and maybe a few comics.

We learned quickly to bootleg from each other and it was anime that did that. We all wanted my friends' copies of Oh My Goddess OVA for example, but fucking 90 for the three VHSs?

I know what you mean. I'd go to places like Kansas City and look around anxiously for some unique fan store before I got to move to a larger city. I ended up finding a comic book store up here that did real well with selling copied VHS tapes of DBZ and various other shows off Japanese television. I have not been to a Suncoast in years. I wouldn't know how people feel about shopping there now a days anyway. The true methods for shopping as a "nerd" is done online or at a press event. You don't necessarily go to a mall and buy the latest and greatest. Online outlets do a surprisingly good job and for the most part you don't have to hassle over quality and price. What mall stores should do is make it affordable, available, and worth purchasing. I go to the mall now and all I see are DBZ, Deathnote, and FF8 wallscrolls. It's not bad taste, but it feels like they don't even want to try and bring in something with style. This is the Midwest; we base everything on consumer availability and want. Being a fan takes some work and some traveling. I think my town does just fine with being a nerd, but it also has some draw backs to it. The Internet has been the #1 source of keeping up to date as well as staying positive as a nerd. I see less of what I use to be around because being a nerd isn't so much a social thing unless it's at a theater. All the arcades shut down too and I do much better ordering online.

I agree; it feels more like an enthusiast. I've always had respect for what I like. It's just a very broad category when discussing it with people. They always talk about sport scores and it's not like there's enough say to anything that may seem like it's more than the laughs and quick responses. I'm saying nerd mainly cause I want to get straight to the point. It's just a huge world out there and it's tough finding people who enjoy it the same way you do.

 

[Disgraced]

Then you and I pretty much agree, you are most definitely not the people I was referring to, you welcome and embrace newcomers into the hobby you are into, because you appreciate the diversity of opinions and discussion of the subject. I described a set of people that from my own experience, tend to isolate themselves in a bubble and refuses to acknowledge any outside perspective that differs from the ideas they have already set.

Kind of like when you start playing a new game and the self-proclaimed "pros" or experienced players try to shrug you away by being rude about it, calling you derogatory (albeit accurate in some cases) names.

It's a very silly phenomenon that to me, reeks of people desperately trying to be superior at something, rather than teaching and learning from what fresh faces perspective might add to the things you enjoy.

I think you're kind of missing the point. I won't lie, obviously part of me gets sort of butthurt by the popularization of a large portion of my interests. But it's not simply because they're newcomers, in fact, I think newcomers are great. The more the merrier. The problem is the motiv. When people get into something because it's fashionable and because it can further or further solidify their popularity, and not because they're genuinely interested, it becomes a fad. A trend. When there are more people into and putting money into something simply for the social aspect than the people who actually care about the product, it gets watered down and neglected because the majority of its audience doesn't truly understand it, nor truly care about it. When the product gets tailored to this majority who's ultimately pretty much apathetic about the real content, it eventually gets stretched so wide to accommodate this new broad crowd it barely resembles what it originally was. Then it starts to suck a lot. And then its popularity begins to fade, and when it's all the way gone, the OGs salvage the remnants and it becomes sort of what it used to be. Way I see it, it's a cycle. It's like 90s rock.

 

[radios shipping overview]

Sometimes you like a thing because it's interesting in ways that might be hard to communicate to a wide audience, or might take specialized knowledge or an acquired taste to appreciate. When the interesting bits of something you love are traded out for bland stuff that's meant to appeal to the widest audience possible, it's easy to feel betrayed. And it's easy to feel frustrated when at one point, finding somebody who liked a thing you liked meant they probably came from a similar place in life and had similar interests as a whole. You don't get that connection from big, broad entertainment like the Marvel movies. (Or, Jesus Christ, Star Trek.) It just means you both happened to see what was probably one of the biggest-grossing international blockbusters of the year. Not quite the same as bonding over a subculture.

With the rate at which interesting things are repurposed and transformed for a large audience, it's easy to feel a bit jaded about the process.