Are we as big of nerds as Dungeons and Dragon's freaks?

[Anthony1]

First off, no offense to anybody that has 14 sided die. or 15 sided, or 16 sided, or whatever. Hey, I'll admit it, I've played D&D once or twice. Like back in 1982 or 1984, but still.

Ok, the question is.....Are we just as nerdy as Dungeons and Dragons goobers? Are we as nerdy as Trekkies? What about a new phenomenom? Lord of the Rings fanatics? What about Star Wars junkies and disciples of Lucasfilm Ltd? Ok, how about Comic Book nerds? Baseball card nerds? Or how about the mother of all nerds.... Grown men that collect pokemon cards? What? You don't think any grown men collect pokemon cards? You know they are out there? Ok, here is another one.. Action figure lovers.

Anyways, the reason that I thought about this, is one day I was coming home from work, and I passed by a Comic Book store. It was a Tuesday evening, at about 6:30pm. I saw a group of about 8 nerds, in their mid to late 30's, playing what appeared to be D&D. I thought to myself, "WOW!, Now those are some serious nerds right there. You can't get any more nerdish, then playing Dungeons and Dragons in a comic book store, in your mid to late 30's on a Tuesday night." But then, as I drove further along, I started thinking to myself, "Wait a minute! I'm 33 years old, and I collect old school video games! I'm almost as bad as them. With the emphasis on the word, "ALMOST"."

So I started thinking....Am I a bonafide nerd? My wife thinks I'm a big time nerd for getting all these old games, and even old video game magazines. She's always thought that I had nerd tendencies, but she never thought I was a real deal nerd, until I got into this hobby. Now, she thinks I've lost my mind.

So it's a good time to ask ourselves this question..."Just how nerdy are we?"

So I decided to do a poll, that ask's, "Who's the biggest group of nerds"

[hamburgler]

The Lord of the rings fans in my opinion are nerdy, not that i'm dissing it in anyway by any means. It just gets annoying having to hear people talk and sound like Gollum all the time.

[maxlords]

Well considering I'm a game collector that also collects comics and scif-fi/fantasy novels, collects STAMPS, plays and collects D&D, collects strategy board games, loves Trek (but don't dress up like it), casually collects action figures (Jp and US ones) and also collects Pokemon cards, I think that I classify as uber-nerd by these standards.

I think you left out the anime lovers and the bibliophiles (book collectors) :)

Anyway, I don't think this hobby is any nerdier than any of my others. Of all of those, from my experience, the Star Wars fans are the worst and most vehement (the non-OT fans at least). I've been the guy that plays games in a store on a weekday evening. I used to be considered a nerd back in HS, and it all went away in college. Now I'm just an "eccentric pop-culture afficianado". :D

[Ze_ro]

I voted D&D... although action figure collectors get a close second in my book... especially the guys who leave them in their wrappers and hang them on their walls. I may be a huge dork, but I certainly wouldn't go that far.

I think your list should have Anime fans as an option... they're a new strain of nerds for the 21st century. 30 year olds watching Sailor Moon is at least as bad as half of your list.

--Zero

[digitalpress]

LOL

There are LOTS of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons players here, three of which (Portnoyd, SpasticFuctard and myself) play every Thursday with a group of non-forum members.

Every Thursday.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21017&highlight=dungeons

So I guess that answers your question from my POV.

[Sotenga]

If you have an unnatural obsession with a fad, then I think that's okay. I won't judge, and I won't vote. I'm a Star Wars offender myself, but A. I'm not as huge a freak as others (like cosplayers and actual X-Wing pilots LOL) and 2. I think George Lucas is more likely as Satan than God. I've grown to... dislike him over the years. :angry:

[Raedon]

30 year olds with cards..

Ever walk into a comic book store late on a saturday night and run right into a Magic: The gathering event..

walk
away
slowly..

[Pantechnicon]

This is not an easy poll question. Ultimately, I think you're probably dealing with the same general type of person in all aspects:

-Average to high IQ, but motivated only to learn about things deemed personally interesting.
-Socially inept or shy.
-Above-average ability to memorize, analyze and recall large amounts of statistical data or trivia.
-Monomaniacal tendencies.

Recognizing my own conformity to this pattern, the question then becomes a subjective one as to whether or not I simply think the focus of your obsession is more or less cool than that of my own.

Having said that, my vote went to the thirty-somethings with the Yu-Gi-Oh cards as the biggest nerds of the lot. Come on, people. This is fine for the kiddies, but is it really worth your time as an adult? Is this so much different from the Pokemon thing, or did you ride that bandwagon into that ground, too? You spend hundreds of dollars and hours obsessing over these little cards and in ten years' time you're going to come to the brutal realization that...wait for it...You spent hundreds of dollars and hours obsessing over these little cards!

And in the interest of disclosure, I will admit that D&D pretty much blew my 8th grade (1983-1984) GPA to hell. There were days when I went to school with a backpack full of TSR manuals and literally nothing related to school. Somehow I found my way out of that obsessive hobby, and if I didn't odds are good I'd be one of those guys now as opposed to grateful husband and father I am today.

Hobbies have their place. The center of your life is not it.

[Pantechnicon]

In deference to Joe et al, I will just add that I have nothing at all against D&D, and that my comments about "finding my way out of it" were less about the game itself as they were my own unhealthy preoccupation with it. Who knows? I probably just traded one compulsion for another (retrogaming), but also have the benefits of age and family to serve as a counterpoint.

In moderation, then, game on! Whether it be with joysticks, cards or d20's.

[Gunstarhero]

I've tried some of the above choices throughout my socially barren life. A dab of D&D, and I mean a Dab, like I tried it once. I did manage to stick with Magic:TG for 3 solid years, becoming one of its biggest nerds and collectors, then I sold that stuff off. Thru my exploits into pure geekdom, the geekiest I've come across are the comic book guys, which is why I voted for them. I found that the D & D guys tended to only show their geekiness while playing the game, and they try to hide it in the real world. Same with the Warhammer crowd, normal guys outside the club, geeks discussing range dice and hit points in the club.

I've managed to maintain a consistent love for gaming throughout all of this crap though, and now I concentrate on just video games...I'm keepin it pure now. I've seen the light and my future hobby, and it ain't D&D, or comic book superheroes. I'm a nerd that is a normal guy in everyday life, but if you trip my trigger and start talking about games, then its like an explosion of worthless nerd game knowledge thats bursts out, showing my inner nerd self. Yes, I am a nerd as much as some of the above people in the poll, but not as bad as the comic book guys. They never stop talking about their hobby...its a lifestyle I think to them.

[Cmosfm]

While this poll was one HELL of a hard poll...I voted Trekkie. They are the worst of the nerds indeed. Anyways, my thoughts...

Not even close, D&D goobers, by a landslide - There pretty bad, but they usually stay pretty secluded and arent heard from or about as much any more so Im not bithcin'

The Star Wars nuts, they think George Lucas is GOD! - The movied were good, but hell, whoever the morons who claimed there religion as Jedi were needs to be taken into a field a shot

Trekkies, they have always been the nerdiest, and always will - classic nerd, its a damn TV show guys. Get a grip!

Lord of the Rings nuts are getting worse and worse! - I havent seen these getting bad. People like it, but I dont think there are that many nerds yet

No contest, the Comic Book Gumbies! Marvel or DC? - Less of a nerd, more of a loner thing

There are nerds, and then there are action figure collectors - Ok, this shouldnt be here. I don't think this is that nerdy, I dont do it, but I know a few who do and there pretty cool

30 year olds that collect Pokemon cards or Yu Gi Oh or whatever! - Oh man, these guys make me sick. I think half of them are the type to go home and download child porn and the other half are the type to go home and wank to pikachu hentai. These are pretty bad, but Trekkies take the cake!

All in all, a hobby is good as long as it makes you happy but leave it at home! Jeez, its like that matters more to them than actually having a life. I know a pokemon geek who will buy anything pokemon. Hes been seriously OBSESSING over Pokemon Channel for gamecube. Saying about how hes going to get it the day it comes out. Yet he has no job...and NO GAMECUBE! he bought Super Smash Bros. because it had Pikachu in it, yet NO GAMECUBE! I hate him so much.


View Results

[digitalpress]

Oh, I should also go on the record as saying, if it is not already clearly understood:

I am the biggest NERD I know.

That is all.

[jaydubnb]

I don't think that nerdiness as much to do with what you do, but a level of akwardness. I mean, I know game/comic/collectors who are cool, and i know people who are into the same hobbies who are just NERDS. I mean both can be hardcore into the hobby, but NERDS just have some somethng thats a bit...off.

[evilmess]

I know people from all of these groups except one and have even been a part of at least 2 of these groups at one time or another in the past.

D&D goobers: Been here and I think the people I know in this group are extremely imaginative and can cope well with reality. Good AD&D representation in video gaming too!

The Star Wars: No problems with these guys. Good Star Wars representation in video gaming too!

Trekkies: My experience is that these guys are well rounded individuals. Poor Star Trek representation in video gaming!

Lord of the Rings: Please don't dress up to see the movies! Their video game legacy has been mixed bag until the recent LOTR games.

Comic Book Gumbies! Almost as scary as the 30 year old card collectors below! No offense to anybody here but I've been to ComicCons! Their video game legacy has been mixed bag but well represented none the less.

Action figure collectors. Probably the most normal of the group actually.

30 year olds that collect Pokemon cards or Yu Gi Oh or whatever! Be afraid, be very afraid!

If I had my choice I'd hang with AD&D , Star Wars or Trekkies anyday.

I wonder what those groups think of us game nerds. heheee

[MarioAllStar2600]

I don't consider that this big of a geeky hobby. Definatly the old guy with cards. People make fun of you guys when I mention you ina convo, but it doesn't matter at all.

[briskbc]

I voted for the Trekkies. They seem to be the ones that started all of this nerdy trend towards a specific show, movie, item or what have you. Or, at the very least, they seem to get the most attention through the media and you can count on several Trekkie jokes throught the life span of good or bad sit com.

Trekkies (to me) seem to be the yardstick by which geeks, or groups of geeks can be measured.

[The Clonus Horror]

I don't want to spoil anyone's party, but once again we are labelling whole groups of people by the actions of a few "bad apples." I guess all of us should be out on a Tuesday night drinking our realities away vs. doing something that isn't harming anyone.

Whenever I feel bad about spending a Friday night playing a video game, I go out the next night and realize that I've just wasted a bunch of time buying and consuming alcohol and then I go home smelling like beer and smoke. And when I wake up next to someone, it's not someone who I want to spend the rest of my life with. So, meaningless all around.

How about getting together with a group of friends that you've known since 1980 and playing D and D once a month? 27 year olds who all have degrees, lives, and careers?

How about moving and finding your old comic book collection and then going to a comic book shop and checking out where your old favorite is at in today's comic book world?

I've never been to a convention of any kind, though I'd like to go to a retro-gaming one in Milwaukee sometime since I'm so close.

I don't know, there are people who take things way too seriously.

I've been playing a play-by-mail wrestling game since 1989. Oh well.

[Anthony1]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I wish that I could change my vote now. I totally forgot all about Magic: The Gathering! Now that is scary! All apologizes of course to any Magic disciples out there.


I do have to say to everyone that is a bonified nerd, I'm sorry if I've offended you. I'm a nerd myself, but I'm more of a hidden nerd if you would. My video game obsession has definitely been nerdy to a degree. Video Games are more and more accepted, but there are still people that think you are extremely immature if you are playing video games past your early 20's.

It's all gravy. We all have our quirks. It's more of a badge of honur than anything. Hey, I was a video game nut, back in 89, 90, 91, 92, 93. I'm talking pretty freaking hardcore.

At one point, in '90 and '91, my car had been stolen, and I didn't have the right insurance, and for about 6 months I didn't have a vehicle. I was living with my Brother in L.A., and he worked at his job like 20 hours per day, and the other 4 slept. I never saw him, and I didn't have any friends in L.A. at all. I had to live with him for one semester of college, before moving back home. Anyways, I'm basically by myself, with no vehicle, and nothing at all to do. So all I did, with any free time, was play my TurboGrafx-16, and my Sega Genesis. And watch some occasional porn. But what I did that was really, really nerdy, was constantly search around town for the latest video game magazines. Yep, I would buy like 8 or 9 magazines every month from the Newstands. But instead of subscribing to the mags, I would actually buy them at the magazine shops and stuff. I think I did it, because I was only gonna be at that address for 6 months, but I also did it, just to be able to get the latest video game mag. issue on the day it hit the stands. Not waiting the extra 5 or 6 days to hit a mailbox. Man, back then I bought about every single mag in existence, that was related to video games. And I would have to take different buses, n shit, to different spots, to try to get the latest issues.

That was definitely an ultra nerdy time in my life.

[1noohpyT]

I agree that we're the largest and most diverse group of individuals out there in our finatic hobby..

We have people from the ages of 2 all the way up to there 70's or even greater than that. Which shows how strong of a support we have for our true love..


The Gaming World..

[Jorpho]

I staggers to think that some people are capable of keeping track of the myriad twists and turns and hopeless tangles in the various Marvel and DC plotlines without giving up in frustration and denouncing the writers as hacks. But what do I know?

[maxlords]

I staggers to think that some people are capable of keeping track of the myriad twists and turns and hopeless tangles in the various Marvel and DC plotlines without giving up in frustration and denouncing the writers as hacks. But what do I know?

I do it still :D I'm currently subscribing to both Batman and Spider-man, and following a few others like Uncanny X-Men. It's hard to do, but I've been following Marvel and DC since the early 80s off and on! Viva la comics!

[o2william]

This is a tough question because how do you quantify "nerdiness?" If you mean the extent to which a hobby takes over your life, I'd have to say the AD&D-style role-players are nerdiest. I used to be one (not AD&D so much as White Wolf), and it's easy to get caught up in it. I wouldn't say I was "obsessed" with role-playing like I am with classic video games, but I thought some of my fellow players took it a bit too seriously. (But when we went to a sci-fi/fantasy convention and I watched some of the Live-Action Role Players go at it, I learned what true obsession was.) :)

But even the more entrenched hobbies like coin collecting insprire nerdly devotion. The company I work for now makes its money authenticating and selling things like rare coins and sportscards, and lemme tell you, people plunk down insane amounts of money for coins with nearly imperceptible details. We're talking hundreds to thousands of dollars for a coin minted in just the past couple years. Prices for vintage rarities have gone into the millions. Some of our customers are totally obsessed with getting better coins and upping their rankings in the Set Registries (online setups that track who has the best collection). I think you could call these guys nerds. But then a lot of them have encyclopedic knowledge of the U.S. mints and engravers; they know practically everything about money and its place in history. Really those guys are more akin historians than nerds. That's kind of how I feel about classic game collecting too -- it's rather like preserving a piece of history. I think that's why I've stuck with this hobby longer than comic books and role-playing (although I'm still an original series Star Trek geek).

So, uh... I dunno if that addressed the topic of the thread or not, but there it is.

[Retsudo]

I don't think that nerdiness as much to do with what you do, but a level of akwardness. I mean, I know game/comic/collectors who are cool, and i know people who are into the same hobbies who are just NERDS. I mean both can be hardcore into the hobby, but NERDS just have some somethng thats a bit...off.

Well spoken. I love Starwars, but far from a nerd. Growing up, I knew guys who collected Starwars, Richie Rich, and Archie comics, and these guys were Hardcore criminals. Guess people are going to do. Thats why I dont judge no one...well maybe a little LOL

[Kid Fenris]

Furries. (http://www.crushyiffdestroy.com/show-article.php?file=falk)

When it comes to the most pathetic "hardcore" element, no other geek pursuit comes remotely close.

[GaijinPunch]

I've at one time been a fan of star wars, comics, anime, games. Star wars b/c I'm from generation-x (as most of us are) comics in junior high, anime when I was learning Japanese, but the games are something I enjoyed throughout all of those geeky phases.

And, while there are definitely some geeky gamers, think of this. In an episode of Rank (Hollywood's most eligible bachelors---no, I'm not gay) It was noted that Tiger Woods is a video game "addict", and that Ben Afleck collects vintage video games in his spare time. Either of the two could probably get laid no problem even without their fame.

On that note, it's a pretty well-known fact that the Beastie Boys are diehard anime fans.

[Anthony1]

What the hell are "furries"?

[Kid Fenris]

What the hell are "furries"?

Check out the link in my post, or the other articles on this site.

http://www.crushyiffdestroy.com/show-article.php?file=falk

[digitalpress]

At one point, in '90 and '91, my car had been stolen, and I didn't have the right insurance, and for about 6 months I didn't have a vehicle. I was living with my Brother in L.A., and he worked at his job like 20 hours per day, and the other 4 slept. I never saw him, and I didn't have any friends in L.A. at all. I had to live with him for one semester of college, before moving back home. Anyways, I'm basically by myself, with no vehicle, and nothing at all to do. So all I did, with any free time, was play my TurboGrafx-16, and my Sega Genesis. And watch some occasional porn. But what I did that was really, really nerdy, was constantly search around town for the latest video game magazines. Yep, I would buy like 8 or 9 magazines every month from the Newstands. But instead of subscribing to the mags, I would actually buy them at the magazine shops and stuff. I think I did it, because I was only gonna be at that address for 6 months, but I also did it, just to be able to get the latest video game mag. issue on the day it hit the stands. Not waiting the extra 5 or 6 days to hit a mailbox. Man, back then I bought about every single mag in existence, that was related to video games. And I would have to take different buses, n shit, to different spots, to try to get the latest issues.

That was definitely an ultra nerdy time in my life.

THIS is the "ultra nerdy time" in your life? Going all-out to pick up the latest game magazines? Brother, you have NO IDEA what ultra nerdy is! Stop by my place on a Thursday night and watch a group of grown men role-play a battle with a Storm Giant. On any given Thursday we've out-nerded the ultra nerdy time of your life.

You should be thankful. :)

[maxlords]

THIS is the "ultra nerdy time" in your life? Going all-out to pick up the latest game magazines? Brother, you have NO IDEA what ultra nerdy is! Stop by my place on a Thursday night and watch a group of grown men role-play a battle with a Storm Giant. On any given Thursday we've out-nerded the ultra nerdy time of your life.

You should be thankful. :)

I'd rather fight a Storm Giant than a nest of Beholders in the Underdark! :P

[SpasticFuctard]

I declare shenannigans.

This guy seems like he's trolling for angry geeks.

I come up like 7 times on that list, and I frankly think it's not cool to paste broad lables on people nor do I think it's cool to denigrate people for being collectors.

SF

[Anthony1]

I declare shenannigans.

This guy seems like he's trolling for angry geeks.

I come up like 7 times on that list, and I frankly think it's not cool to paste broad lables on people nor do I think it's cool to denigrate people for being collectors.

SF


Hey man, we are just having some fun here. I said before that I didn't mean any offense to anybody. I didn't mean to degrade anybody or make fun of them in cruel way.

This is just a funny topic. I've got my share of nerdism in me, so I feel like I can joke about this.

Please people, this topic is just a fun little topic that isn't supposed to make anybody seriously pissed off.

[Stark]

Yes I will now come out and say that I was a Dungeon Master for a time back in my early 20's and played with 6 other guys who were all older than me. I did that for maybe 2 years about once a week. I also own the mother of all dice- a 100 sided die! 8-)

[portnoyd]

Great thread. I don't think you can take offense to this. There's nothing wrong with being a nerd. It seems derogatory, if you let it. Ok, I have a problem with being a furry, but they're more wacky fetishists, than obsessive nerds.

The winner is definitely 30 year old YGH and Pokemon card players. Yikes and gadzooks! Raedon said it best.... walk... away... slowly.

retrotaku and Clonus Horror hit it right on the head with their posts too.

I'd also like to say, all at one point or another, I hit 7 of those things on the list. Which brings me to....


Oh, I should also go on the record as saying, if it is not already clearly understood:

I am the biggest NERD I know.

That is all.

THEREFORE, I CHALLENGED YOU, DP, TO A BATTLE. A BATTLE TO PROVE I'M THE BIGGEST NERD YOU KNOW. EN GARDE

dave

[Ze_ro]

I come up like 7 times on that list, and I frankly think it's not cool to paste broad lables on people nor do I think it's cool to denigrate people for being collectors.

Oh, it's all in good humour... I wouldn't take it too seriously. I watch a lot of Star Trek (In fact, I'm watching TNG right now actually... the episodes where Picard gets assimilated by the Borg), and I have a room full of video games... if people think I'm a dork because of that, then so what? If you're happy with what you are, then who cares what other people think?

(Unless of course you're one of those "hardcore" people who have spent thousands of dollars on anime, or dress up as Chewbacca for Star Wars conventions... in that case, you might want to put a lot of thought into your lifestyle...)

--Zero

[calthaer]

I staggers to think that some people are capable of keeping track of the myriad twists and turns and hopeless tangles in the various Marvel and DC plotlines without giving up in frustration and denouncing the writers as hacks. But what do I know?

It's really a mystery to me, too, but there are these new "Ultimate" Marvel comics that restart the whole series and tell good stories without all those "AS SEEN IN THE AMAZING WONDERSPIDER #384 SUPER SPECIAL" footnotes and all that stuff.

And as for this whole topic - there is, of course, a test for all of this...I think it's been posted here before, maybe - or maybe not. It's for "geeks," not "nerds," but they mean the same thing in this context. See how you rate! I was like 15% or something.

http://www.innergeek.us/geek.html

[SpasticFuctard]

I'm pretty damn geeky

48.52071% - Super Geek

Accursed harsh light of day shining on my geekitude.

SF

[chevy_chase]

i think all of the groups listed are HUGE NERDS,
but you forgot 1337-nerds and off course the dying breed of nerds...
Book-reading-nerds.

[digitalpress]

THEREFORE, I CHALLENGED YOU, DP, TO A BATTLE. A BATTLE TO PROVE I'M THE BIGGEST NERD YOU KNOW. EN GARDE

dave

So... what happened when you CHALLENGED DP? I guess it's someone else you're talking about because I wasn't there.

Anal spelling and grammar habits. Trademark of the true nerd.

[Aswald]

In a way, you can't say anyone's a nerd; it's too subjective.

I've run into people who couldn't tell me who our two Senators are ("You mean there's TWO?"), but can tell me ANYTHING I can think of about Star Trek (any of them) or comic books (the Penguin first appeared in issue #, page,).

But what about 30, 40+ year old sports nuts who don't know about those Senators? Who really cares how many home runs or touchdowns, or goals, or free shots, such-and-such did in 1956? Is this any less ludicrous than some geek who can tell you what page in "The Silmarillion" Feanor created the Silmarils, or called Melkor "Morgoth?"

I might call someone a geek for actually knowing Yeoman Rand's Cabin Number (I was paying more attention to Yeoman Rand!), but someone might call me a geek just for watching the show.

[SpasticFuctard]

Can we put socio-political zealot on this list? I would like to vote for that as the biggest nerd. Thanks.

SF - Oh, I know who my senators are; I just don't consider it a benchmark for societal hegemony.

[Aswald]

You missed the point. If they can know all of that other stuff, why can't they know something as simple as two names?

[SpasticFuctard]

I think, Aswald that it is you who is missing the point.

They don't care. Just like someone who isn't into Trek doesn't care what race Dax was, just like someone not into classic gaming doesn't care why E.T sucked scrot, just like someone who doesn't dig on football doesn't care that Dan Marino has never gotten a superbowl ring, just like...

Foisting your own brand of monomania on them as 'normal' is pretty damn eitist in an exceptionally nerdy way.

SF -(Comic Book Guy from the simpsons voice) Obviously you inferior children could never understand the intricacies of the American Legislative System. Now go away, or I will stage a protest against you.

[Aswald]

Well, aside from the fact that Senators help make the laws that affect us all, whereas Mario, Frodo, and Captain Kirk do not...if one can spend Lord-knows how many hours/days/weeks/months with that other stuff, is it so hard to take an hour or two every couple of years to vote, or at least a moment to find out who your politicians are?

SF, YOU just implied that such nerds don't care about who is running the country? Isn't that being a bit judgemental? I simply said that I've run into such people- because I have- I did not say that such people are idiot savants.

Did you read the first line in my original post? The whole point was that one person's geekery is another person's "hobby."

[SpasticFuctard]

I think, that you and I are agreeing, Calling someone a nerd is simply condescending to them for having monomania different than your own. That said I'm taking the time to point out that your choice of example as driven from your own interests (as indicated by the wealth of posts in the BZ) indicates a similar desire to lable and catergorize, possibly in a denigrating fashion those who do not believe that the dy to day operation of their government is A) fascinating or B) relevant to themselves.

I think it was only me who pointed out that the whole topic stank of derision.

SF

[Aswald]

Look, SF, to be honest...I don't care what someone is in to. If he is a Star Wars Obsessive, I don't care. If they're "fursuiters" (is that the word?) I don't care. You like to dress up as Gandalf or Frodo while waiting in line for 72 hours to see the third Lord of the Rings movie? I don't care (though I might laugh). This is a free country, and if you are in to some kind of "geekery," then fine- as long as it doesn't affect me or anything else that isn't interested.

Heck, if you liked "Gigli," and started a fan club ( with all 4 or 5 members), I might wonder why (as most of us would!), but...fine.

I pointed out Senators simply because it was it was a perfect counterpoint to knowing about the Human Torch vs. Waterwave Man in issue #138 (silver edition, second printing in Belgium). One was practical, "everyone should know," one is- let's face it- not. Nothing more.

[SpasticFuctard]

Why aren't you getting this?

The 'practicality' of this 'need to know' information is based entirely on your own interests/prejudices.

It does not in any way affect Joe Bob Comiccollector's day to day life that Governor MacGreevy is doing whatever the hell he wants and is in collusion with big business to blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda. But when he interacts with /his/ peer group; he better damn well know that Jim Lee is writing the new Batman comic with Tim Sale; the entirety of their canon and the importance of their contributions to the characters. Why? Because it garners him status in his chosen peer group.

Why do you know who you senators are? Why do you know that the Republican National Convention is coming to New York? Because you care. Why does that make it important to anyone else, or practical?

[Aswald]

SF, are you kidding? I'm not saying a comic collector doesn't need to know about such things if he wants to fit in with such people- but by definition he will. 90% of the time such peoples' interests draw them to such groups, it's not the other way around (as a rule). If I'm into AD&D, then I'll find other such people; it's uncommon to first seek such a group and then get into AD&D. And if someone is a trader or a dealer in comic books, then he'd better know all of that stuff (esp. rarities and prices!), or he won't be in business very long. That's a different matter: making a living.

But as for Senators- yes, said comic book fan had BETTER know who his politicians are, and where they stand. In the early 1980s, there were actually counties where arcade video games were outlawed. Would it not have been in video gamers' interests to know about such things, obviously? A single Senator, or Representative, can cause a law to come into effect outlawing, say, the R-Rated "Tanya with the Big Bust and Tiny ChainMail Bikini Sorceress" comic book series that the comic fan might really be into. Since it can obviously affect one's hobby (and life), then it's not "being political" to know, but as common sense as knowing where the brake is in a car you're driving.

[SpasticFuctard]

No, I'm not kidding. I'm saying that all of the above is your opinion, nothing more and nothing less. You express the /exact same incredulity/ at the idea that someone might not take an active (or even passive) interest in their government as a Trekkie might that one not know the call sign of the Enterprise. And you give me all these reasons as to why it's desperately important to know these things; That said, said same trekkie could provide me with a detailed explanation of the literary archetypes and societal allegory contained within a particular episode of his esteemed trek. He might also express to me that by adapting the priciples of Starfleet into his daily life, he endeavors to improve his immediate world.

Whereas, all you've served to do in your constant ranting about how knowledge of a government(which may very well have disenfranchised him through corruption and oligarchy and been in need of supplanting in his worldview by something cleaner from the head of Gene Roddenbery) is somehow important to him is assert that your interests are right and his are extraneous and impractical to some greater purpose that you so far have failed to explain. It's rougly akin to putting down someone who disavows evolution because the faith that spurs them to do good deeds and care for the less fortunate does not acknowledge it.

SF

[maxlords]

53.84615% - Super Geek

Woo hoo!

[StrychNiNE]

I'd have to say DnD nerds are the worst. No wait, Live Action Roleplayers are actually the worst. Of the few I have the displeasure of knowing, their conversations regarding theirs and other's characters would seem to implicate a strong desire to quash anything related to reality, and instead they like to pretend that they are beautiful fairy elves or whatever. People who are way to invested in fantasy worlds will always be the biggest nerds. Cosplayers etc. Anyone who lacks the social skills of a paper bag

[Jorpho]

And, while there are definitely some geeky gamers, think of this. In an episode of Rank (Hollywood's most eligible bachelors---no, I'm not gay) It was noted that Tiger Woods is a video game "addict", and that Ben Afleck collects vintage video games in his spare time. Either of the two could probably get laid no problem even without their fame.

Remember the blurb that Kevin Smith made a PSX game for the, er, happy couple entitled "Jen Saves Ben"?

[Jorpho]

And, while there are definitely some geeky gamers, think of this. In an episode of Rank (Hollywood's most eligible bachelors---no, I'm not gay) It was noted that Tiger Woods is a video game "addict", and that Ben Afleck collects vintage video games in his spare time. Either of the two could probably get laid no problem even without their fame.

Remember the blurb that Kevin Smith made a PSX game for the, er, happy couple entitled "Jen Saves Ben"?

[rbudrick]

OMG OMG IM 5o mu(4 m0r3 |\|3rd13r /\|\|d l33t t4/\|\| /\ll 0f y000000!!!!11!!!!1! /\ll ur g/\|\/|35 /\r3 b3l0|\|g 2 |\/|3!!!11!!!!!!!


-Rob
(4/\x0r |\/|/\5t3r)

[rbudrick]

OMG OMG IM 5o mu(4 m0r3 |\|3rd13r /\|\|d l33t t4/\|\| /\ll 0f y000000!!!!11!!!!1! /\ll ur g/\|\/|35 /\r3 b3l0|\|g 2 |\/|3!!!11!!!!!!!


-Rob
(4/\x0r |\/|/\5t3r)