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Posted: |
Dec 7, 2017 - 9:09 PM
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By: |
Solium
(Member)
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I can't help but chuckle a bit every time I point out a correlation between 'outsiders'/people with certain social or personal issues etc. and the cult popularity of science fiction and fantasy. Hardly farfetched, but it doesn't take long before someone chimes in with "No! No! No! We're as diverse as any niche. Nothing to see here. No more nerds or geeks or socially awkard people than in any other special interest! Move along, move along!". 
I think there are a lot of self-deluded sci fi fans out there. The best thing, IMO, is to be open and honest about it; to embrace one's "different-ness" and not let it be a hindrance.
The WORST thing one can do is to do like Octoberman -- to be all relativist and defensive about it; to say there's no difference between sci fi fans and sports fans etc. This basically sucks out every special thing about it.
I think that's an extremely defensive tone to take in itself, Thor.
Ironically, it sounds like you have a narrow view that is intolerant of any other opinions that don't jibe with your individual perception.
But by all means, stereotype to your heart's content--you've already attributed words to me that I never wrote and that's not a good sign.
My position all along is that everyone has something that they are passionate about and that to single out sci-fi fans as representing the socially awkward is simplistic and naive.
Maybe that helps you understand my position a little better.
I could just as easily say sports fans are socially inept. Act like drunken fools, lack critical thinking, are obnoxious, get into fights, and dress up in silly outfits. Sci Fi fans are the only group that are looked down on and mocked for their passion.
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Posted: |
Dec 8, 2017 - 3:01 AM
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By: |
Thor
(Member)
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My position all along is that everyone has something that they are passionate about and that to single out sci-fi fans as representing the socially awkward is simplistic and naive.
Maybe that helps you understand my position a little better.
First of all -- no, not everyone has something they're passionate about. That is also something that requires a certain personality. Second of all, there are ALWAYS recurring personality features within particular niches or passions. These are the features that stereotypes are built on. Although they are by no means representative of everyone in that group, there is still something about it that made these stereotypes come into existence in the first place. They should not be dismissed.
Unlike you, I think it's very important to stress everything that makes a sci fi fan (or a film music fan, who's not that far removed) unique, rather than throw it under a relativist carpet by saying it's as diverse a group as any, there are no particular features that make them special compared to other groups and so on.
We obviously have very different experiences here, and none of us have any official studies to lean on. For as much as I would love to read one, I think it's probably problematic, because the subjects would be hesitant to give honest replies about their social skills and personality traits if they knew the survey was in relation to their status as a "niche" geek or nerd.
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Absolutely, yes! Embrace it!
But why? The traits you seem to suggest sci fi fans have are inherently negative, and as you say, there is no evidence to support its existence beyond mere anecdotal evidence. And in my book, anecdotal evidence isn't evidence usable to judge large groups of unrelated people.
Niche things like film music or sci fi provides a "haven" for misfits and outsiders and people who are "different" (for reasons previously cited). This is something to stress and celebrate, not just dismiss or pretend doesn't exist.
People shouldn't be ashamed of what they enjoy, and it is great celebrating people's differences, but stereotypes, particularly negative ones, make it too easy to prejudge someone just because of his or her interests and treat them harshly. Don't believe me, check the reactions by some past (and thankfully banned) members of this board to bronies.
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