Why do some people look so negatively at “nerd culture”
- Thread starter ASleepingMonkey
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Elitism, gatekeeping, misogyny, constant need for reassurance among peers and shutting out the outside world for entertainment.
Seeing the rise of stuff like gamergate I realized this has always been a big part of the culture. Which is just depressing.. Also the fact we kinda just turn a blind eye to real issues and focus on nostalgia and shit. I don't know.. being a nerd doesn't seem as cool as it use to be.
Seeing the rise of stuff like gamergate I realized this has always been a big part of the culture. Which is just depressing.. Also the fact we kinda just turn a blind eye to real issues and focus on nostalgia and shit. I don't know.. being a nerd doesn't seem as cool as it use to be.
Well there are a ton of misogynist/sexist/racist losers who play video games. They are sick and get off on being that way. So when people who don't play games are exposed to the filth they associate everyone as that unfortunately. The more we promote good behavior and punish those losers the better the image of gaming will be.
Depends on where you focus your attention. I have zero belief I can change the woman hating nerd sickhead way he thinks.
I value my own time and beliefs and wouldnt want to spend my time argueing with Gamergame fuckers who won't change their beliefs. Like a Trump voter they are too far up their own ass.
I dont think I can change the way other people think about "nerd culture". I just know I have been a part of that culture and have always been a friendly welcoming person to anyone who wants an open discussion.
But stating that being a woman hating scumbag is somehow inherent to being a nerd, you take a shit on many people who consider themselves nerds but have nothing against women and arent trying to be elitist cunts.
Have any hard evidence or data to back that up?
Eh, I somehow doubt it.
I don't mind teenagers being "nerdy"/fanboys, getting excited about comic book films etc. But once you are a fully grown adult and your still squealing at film trailers, wearing novelty t-shirts non-stop and acting like a child a lot of the time. That's when I get disgusted by it.
Honestly a lot of that type of culture just seems to be people not wanting to grow up and finding a "hobby" to latch onto so they can have that escapism. That's the part which I find alarming and unsettling.
Honestly a lot of that type of culture just seems to be people not wanting to grow up and finding a "hobby" to latch onto so they can have that escapism. That's the part which I find alarming and unsettling.
I will speak merely from my own experiences as someone who has partaken in this culture for decades. To me nerd culture is usually about groups of people over-indulging in a hobby. That's fine, plenty of other hobbies have the same thing. But the thing is, nerd culture is largely made up of nerds who in my experience (MYSELF included) are often incredibly insecure, socially shy, and these factors lead to a sense of elitism and escapism that is rampant in this culture. I would routinely mock "casuals" who only played CoD and Madden. I would have to find self-worth and affirmation from my awesome WC3 record, or my KD ration in CS or Halo, or my extensive knowledge in once obscure franchises like Fire Emblem. The fact of the matter is, many who behave this way come off so badly to those outside of the nerd culture. They don't find a reason to want to relate and reach out to the culture because it can be seen as negative and self-indulgent. Before anyone gets on my case, these negative aspects of the culture are ones I have personally represented in my past. I think I've done a good job of moving past that and finding value in who I am outside of any specific hobby, but the history is still there and I see it plenty from others (even here).
Solid logical fallacy my dude.
Read back how dumb this sounds reversed
"Got any evidence that sexism is a small part of nerd culture? Eh, I doubt it"
Personally, I find that kind of behavior on the same level of cringe as super sports fanatics. There is probably a similar pathology at work there.
I'll be honest, I don't think I'd ever want to be caught in public playing a nintendo switch, that's for sure.
I think it is cute that today's nerds are having a hard time dealing with some insults when us nerds growing up in the 80's would get pummeled into a locker daily.
Smh if you never used D4's as caltrops to discourage pursuit down a hallway.
Im not trying to say it's all nerds are like this.. I mean I consider myself a nerd. It's just that this mindset his been engrained in a big chunk of nerd culture for a good portion of the time as well. Since day one of online gaming and reading forums those types of gamers have always been there. They didn't seem like a big deal till they rallied together and got serious. Since then yeah I've kinda had a negative view as like I said I saw the seeds being sown a long as time ago.
I think a major problem is nerds.. no harm intended tend to be kinda shut in and that's where I think the mind changing part breaks down. Arguing on the internet is bullshit and you get nowhere. You need face to face conversations to actually see some results.
You know, you are completely right about sports fanatics too. I do feel the same way when I look at grown adults in a football shirt just doing their day to day activities.
Mainstream nerd culture is not shunned, that person who said that to you is fucking weird by today's standards tbh. Like, Star Wars is not even nerdy. it's normal culture, internationally even.
But hardcore nerd culture? Deserved hatred IMO.
We have pedophile apologists, white supremacists, misogynists by the boatload...
But hardcore nerd culture? Deserved hatred IMO.
We have pedophile apologists, white supremacists, misogynists by the boatload...
Nerd culture definitely has some serious issues, but for everyone saying "rampant consumerism"...isn't that true of American culture as a whole? Our society is obsessed with consumerism in all forms, this is not something specific to nerd culture. Sports culture, fashion culture, car culture, etc. so many hobbies are about consuming goods or services produced for profit.
I enjoy following sports. Nothing like listening to a baseball or football game while relaxing at home doing some video gaming. I even listen to sports radio a bit, mostly for entertainment purposes. Now, if you think that only parts of nerd fandom are super toxic, wait until people call in to sports talk shows...... Lordy. (and Lol-ly)
That girl sounds like bad news.
But a few reasons. Historically it's associated with socially awkward people who stay inside all day, currently it's associated with online neonazis and hate groups, and the fact that it was originally marketed as toys make people look down on it if they're ignorant of the subject. I mean if we're being honest I probably would be less inclined to talk to someone who introduced themselves as a "gamer". I'd assume they post rants about SJWs or some shit on Twitter.
But a few reasons. Historically it's associated with socially awkward people who stay inside all day, currently it's associated with online neonazis and hate groups, and the fact that it was originally marketed as toys make people look down on it if they're ignorant of the subject. I mean if we're being honest I probably would be less inclined to talk to someone who introduced themselves as a "gamer". I'd assume they post rants about SJWs or some shit on Twitter.
A lot of nerd culture, especially the games/tv/movies/print media can easliy be enjoyed as experiences. Heck, if you've got a sweet public library you can have these experiences for free.
The things sold on thinkgeek.com is the consumerist disease portion of "nerd" culture. I agree that materialism and consumerism is now everywhere and in everything but the detritus you can find in every gamestop these days is especially ugly.
You don't need to tell me that, I'm a librarian ;)
Sure, I get what you mean, there is plenty of nerd crap you can buy. Hell, I own a ton of nerd crap. But you can also buy sports crap, cooking crap, unnecessary crap for your car or your home, overpriced clothes you don't need. That kind of thing is not exclusive to nerd culture or gaming, just like GameStop there are plenty of retail stores dedicated to selling useless sports crap. Except that stuff isn't crap to the people who enjoy it, so what's the harm really?
Yeah, more or less that.
Also, gaming and other nerd stuff are commonly on those stupid "signs you may be dating a manchild" lists in women's magazines/websites.
In general, a lot of people just look down on people who are super into hobbies as most people spend all/the vast majority of their time on career and family matters. And with the "manchild" think women seem to hold that view more as they want someone making money and helping raise the kids and seem to think that people obsessed with hobbies are less like to do those. And there's probably some truth to that. I could definitely be further in my career and making more money if I was willing to slave away 60-70+ hour weeks like a lot of my colleagues do.
No more harm than any of the other ugly tacky things stores. Its just that beyond some nerd clothing, there isn't much use for anything sold in the front of a gamestop except to display and take up space.
Nothing against nerd culture specifically, as my head would explode if I stepped into someplace that sold sports memorabilia. Buying something unused for a hobby like fixing cars or cooking can be a waste if it is unused/underutilized but imo its a step up because there is some value there.
Side note: That's awesome! I love my library. I thought about being a librarian at one point but it didn't happen. Eventually I'd like to be part of a town's advisory board or something for a local library, if they have it. I once grilled a librarian on how they picked which graphic novels were suitable for "young adults" and which were not. (Lol. BTW, the publishers advise which is which, as I found out)
You aren't wrong, and I totally agree. Just wanted to point out that this is an almost universal problem, at least in the U.S.!
You should do that, libraries are always looking for community engagement and volunteers. Haha, yeah I used to work in youth services, and you'd be surprised at what we have, especially in teens. As a general rule, librarians err on the side of providing access to content and letting patrons decide what is appropriate for them. There is nothing stopping a kid or teen from going to the adult graphic novel section and checking out Berserk or Watchmen, for example. Open access is truly important, and we don't make judgments about what patrons want to check out.
I can't think of any gaming communities that are straight white men only. Maybe white supremacist sites like Stormfront but that's not even gaming or media.
Of course, but teenage boys were the populations of the internet communities of the 2000s and that trends continues with gaming and whatnot.
Not to say that women can't relish in banter and edginess but our culture seems to breed this more in boys.
I found it funny that people are putting people down while calling them elitists.
It was never cool, to begin with. But frankly, I had fun being some kind of a nerd. I have played Dungeons & Dragons, Magic The Gathering ruined me, I've read The Lords of the Rings, played a lot of video games. And I had friends with me who enjoyed the same things. We weren't the cool kids at high school, but I guess I can say we had fun.
There wasn't any girls to play with, but I don't think girls ostracized us either way, because we were friends with some of them. We were just a bunch of guys having some good time, that was all.
But for some people, being a nerd is weird. It's not cool. You're not popular by playing a TCG or talking about Evangelion, or Star Wars. Especially when I was in high school. Whatever.
Edit: I remember the mother of one of my friend calling us "the clones" (even her son, mind you), that's the price to pay for being a nerd I guess.
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I think it's because enthusiast communities tend to be toxic, and "nerd" culture is very popular right now. Tack-on the historical stereotyping of "nerd" culture, and I think you have your answer. It's not always fair, but to be fair the woman described in OP sounds like trash and is probably unpleasant in most conversations.
I'd argue most enthusiast communities have the problem to an extent. I'd rather blow my fucking brains out than walk into a cycling shop and try to get help working on my bike and listen to a shithead store clerk lecture me on why I should've bought a $2000 bike instead of my $500 non-branded bike. Or preach the importance of getting clip-in pedals or something. I bet all bike shops are not like that, but I've had the experience so I probably will just avoid all of them in the future.
I'd argue most enthusiast communities have the problem to an extent. I'd rather blow my fucking brains out than walk into a cycling shop and try to get help working on my bike and listen to a shithead store clerk lecture me on why I should've bought a $2000 bike instead of my $500 non-branded bike. Or preach the importance of getting clip-in pedals or something. I bet all bike shops are not like that, but I've had the experience so I probably will just avoid all of them in the future.
Dude what? People in the outside world don't think nerds are misogynists. Regular people think nerds are creepy socially challenged weirdos who don't get girls.
And shit they're usually right. Have you ever been to a midnight launch for a game? Even the mainstream games like cod or GTA. I went to the GTA V one for 360 and ill never go again. Between the fucking overpowering BO and all the losers staring at my gf the whole time it was enough to make me never wanna associate with gamers or nerds or whatever
- A chunk of nerd culture can be toxic and also unfortunately the loudest a lot of the time.
- The girl who called you a "faggot" is just an asshole.
- Your Ex's just weren't a good match for you.
- The girl who called you a "faggot" is just an asshole.
- Your Ex's just weren't a good match for you.
I was watching the part last night at TGA where they’re honoring the woman developer, and the whole time I’m imagining:
“There are hundreds of people right now posting horrible things about this nice old lady. They literally never even heard of her and they’re posting death threats.”
There’s nerds and there’s psychopaths. Normal people don’t have the impulse to wish someone dead just for their sex. It’s only going to get worse as they get older. They aren’t going to grow out of it, because I was a dumb shit at 13 and I never even dared to say such horrible things.
“There are hundreds of people right now posting horrible things about this nice old lady. They literally never even heard of her and they’re posting death threats.”
There’s nerds and there’s psychopaths. Normal people don’t have the impulse to wish someone dead just for their sex. It’s only going to get worse as they get older. They aren’t going to grow out of it, because I was a dumb shit at 13 and I never even dared to say such horrible things.
Sounds like that girl harbors some residual homophobic beliefs, OP. She's the one who looks dumb because of all this, not you.
Nerds have a general history of ignoring broader social development in favor of meticulously memorizing details about their passions, whatever they may be. Being associated with a nerdy interest can make one appear socially awkward or weaker than one who is not. It's a lot easier to make fun of something than learn to understand it.
With that said, nerd culture can be exhaustive. I used to be an assistant manager at a GameStop. It was eye opening to say the least.
Nerds have a general history of ignoring broader social development in favor of meticulously memorizing details about their passions, whatever they may be. Being associated with a nerdy interest can make one appear socially awkward or weaker than one who is not. It's a lot easier to make fun of something than learn to understand it.
With that said, nerd culture can be exhaustive. I used to be an assistant manager at a GameStop. It was eye opening to say the least.
Every thing most people call nerdy is for children okay? Video games, weird sci fi films, comics, cartoons, you name it.
You're either a child, or just not a real grownup if you like those things.
Or in other words, most people are just assholes about things they don't know, nerds included.
You're either a child, or just not a real grownup if you like those things.
Or in other words, most people are just assholes about things they don't know, nerds included.
The Only thing I look negatively about nerd culture is it's appropriation by some, like Big Bang theory.
Please look at literally any of the threads on these forums trying to discuss problematic elements in video games. People always coming in to shut down the conservation because they "don't care". That kind of behavior doesn't just exist in a vacuum.
That girl insulting you sure was a real piece of shit, though. I'm not sure that really has much to do with "nerd culture", either, considering it's Star Wars, a mainstream franchise, but I may be missing something from the situation.
That girl insulting you sure was a real piece of shit, though. I'm not sure that really has much to do with "nerd culture", either, considering it's Star Wars, a mainstream franchise, but I may be missing something from the situation.
I don't think extra context is gonna really clear up her calling him a 'faggot'.
Sound argument. You hit the nail on the head imo.
That's true but not exclusive to "hardcore nerd culture", especially with all of the things that occurred this year to demonstrate how pervasive it is in many places.
Yeah it's not exclusive but it's way more prevalent in hardcore nerd culture. A high percentage of (hardcore) gamers show their ass anytime a topic on race, gender, etc, pops up. Hardcore anime fans and loli, etc etc
When we were younger, it was just uncool. Now it has a tendency to be racist and misogynistic. Lame either way.
You're going to just have to imagine me smiling politely, as my point whistles a mile over your head.
Nerds or geeks regardless of type (gaming, techie, sci-fi, movies, TV,) fall under the same bucket as more mainstream "obsessives"(foodies, cars, sports, bodybuilding, fashion). They're highly into something and it becomes an self identifying characteristic. I think what makes the Nerd different from the Fan or enthusiast is that Nerd hobbies are stereotyped as insular or antisocial and the hobbies are somewhat niche and not well understood. For an example of this, look at the "obsessives" categories. These are things everyone is familiar with in some capacity (i.e. everyone is around cars to some extent, everyone wears clothing, everyone eats food, sports are fairly ubiquitous in society) But it's basically the same thing. I truly believe that gaming will become as ubiquitous and mainstream as sports in our lifetime (it's already come such a long way in a short period of time).
Part of that obsessiveness is being protective of said hobby, because in simple terms its a big defining characteristic of who they are and if that thing is attacked, it's a personal one. That leads to toxicity within these communities. Gaming is not a uniquely toxic community. I bet if you took a look into "foodie" or "bodybuilding" communities, your'e guaranteed to find some toxicity that's similar to the types of things this community faces, it's just very self contained.
My reasoning for why Gaming culture is so toxic is because the attacks are much more damning to the culture. Look at Sarkeesian, the community went nuts, acting like assholes defending themselves because her criticism of their favorite hobby was damning and hard to defend. Therefore the attacks back at her became personal and derogatory. Look at Sports fans, along with video game fans both get the "you're hobby is a waste of time and you're involvement in it ads nothing to society and actually hurts productivity to some extent. That is seen as a personal attack, because, let's be honest, anyone who plays a lot of Video games or watches and follows a lot of sports has had those uncomfortable thoughts themselves. Having someone point them out to you is hard for some people to accept, because they don't want to ask themselves the question, "are they right"?
It's the same with you scarfing down the a burger offering one to a friend, and having them say "no thanks I'm vegan". That's not an attack, but it is perceived as one. You immediately internalize (at least i do) are they judging me?
The reason gaming is seen as more toxic, is because the feminism argument is much more tough to deal with, you're a misogynist is much more damning than you're lazy and wasting your time. All nerds are hearing is you're a bad person. Therefore people feel the need to hit back hard to defend themselves and their love of games.
Being called a "lazy gamer" leads to a defensive position of a certain level. Being called someone who supports misogyny is a much more difficult internal struggle, and therefore leads to extreme reactions in retaliation. This is my opinion on why the gaming culture is so toxic.
Another of my assumptions: If a feminist came at sports (which they have many times) some people attack back aggressively, most ignore. In gaming I think the Nerd mentality of being bullied, leads to people fighting back in a much higher percentage and with much more ferociousness.
I don't know anyone outside of the gaming circle who is even aware of the current problem with racism or misogynism in gaming. It's still just lame and uncool outside of sarcastic pop culture remarks.
