SawtoothMars Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 Over the weekend I worked at an Anime Convention... and honestly I'm blown away. I actually met a group of people my age mid-30's and we talked about the huge change in social acceptance for all things nerd. I actually attended the same convention in 98' with a friend from high school. When he mentioned it to other people I was mocked endlessly by the other guys on the football team. My GF of the time asked me to never go again. I remember having to watch what I say around my friends for fear of being labeled a "computer nerd"... which would end any chances of dating. Is this still a thing? Have the women my age come around on this? Do they date nerds now?
pteromom Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 Some do, some don't. But there is definitely a nerd culture now which is very accepted and even cool.
hanrose Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 Are you kidding?!?!! I have loved nerds before they were cool! In fact, as a teen, I had a fetish for guys who wear glasses and still do. And I just love nerds over any other type. Over the weekend I worked at an Anime Convention... and honestly I'm blown away. I actually met a group of people my age mid-30's and we talked about the huge change in social acceptance for all things nerd. I actually attended the same convention in 98' with a friend from high school. When he mentioned it to other people I was mocked endlessly by the other guys on the football team. My GF of the time asked me to never go again. I remember having to watch what I say around my friends for fear of being labeled a "computer nerd"... which would end any chances of dating. Is this still a thing? Have the women my age come around on this? Do they date nerds now?
gaius Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 I really think the Big Bang Theory becoming as popular as it has kind of taught many who were unfamiliar how fun that world can be. And done a lot to move that culture into the mainstream. And maybe they'll date nerds that can pass for normal guys, like Leonard. Sheldon will probably still have issues though.
DrReplyInRhymes Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 In my own experience, when I was growing up, being a computer nerd was awful, you definitely got riled up. I used to play football, and be active in many sports, But I do have a passion for computers and of the sort. It's come to my attention, in the last decade I've seen, Being a nerd isn't something that's so frowned upon and obscene. Especially with the tech job market gearing toward those who can "code", Being a nerd isn't derogatory anymore, its just another road. 4
Author SawtoothMars Posted April 6, 2015 Author Posted April 6, 2015 Some do, some don't. But there is definitely a nerd culture now which is very accepted and even cool. I saw only 1 woman my age dressed up... and I was working as a photographer running a booth with my wife. The only mid-30's women seemed to be escorting young kids... and generally looked harassed and irritated. I mean there have ALWAYS been nerdy guys, but the explosion in female nerd culture is mind blowing.
BlackOpsZombieGirl Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 Over the weekend I worked at an Anime Convention... and honestly I'm blown away. I actually met a group of people my age mid-30's and we talked about the huge change in social acceptance for all things nerd. I actually attended the same convention in 98' with a friend from high school. When he mentioned it to other people I was mocked endlessly by the other guys on the football team. My GF of the time asked me to never go again. I remember having to watch what I say around my friends for fear of being labeled a "computer nerd"... which would end any chances of dating. Is this still a thing? Have the women my age come around on this? Do they date nerds now? Um, being a derp is IN right now, in case you didn't know lol. The fact that you worked at an anime convention is COOL (at least *I* think it is). I LOVE anime (my fave one is Teresa Claymore and my fave vocaloid is Hatsune Miku "World Is Mine / Ryo"). Your ex-gf asking you to "never go to an anime convention again" was wayyyy out of line. I don't think you have to "watch what you say" around your friends or around ANYONE. If someone doesn't like the fact that you're into anime, oh well! I mean seriously, would you even want to hang around someone like that who'd be that judgmental about something that you're into? A cute and interesting derpy guy is HOT. .
gaius Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 The fact JJ Abrams reformed Star Trek into much more mainstream franchise probably didn't hurt either. I'm conflicted now when I see them, bummed out the movies have no real meaning anymore and the fact a bunch of kids running a starship is ridiculous but happy I can usually get my girlfriend at the time to come with me and enjoy herself. While still getting exposed to some of the culture and references.
Erised Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 I've always loved geeks. I don't think geek is looked down upon by anyone though these days. I don't do anime, but I wouldn't judge it and I certainly go to other cons.
Author SawtoothMars Posted April 6, 2015 Author Posted April 6, 2015 Are you kidding?!?!! I have loved nerds before they were cool! In fact, as a teen, I had a fetish for guys who wear glasses and still do. And I just love nerds over any other type. Oh yeah... there were a handful of nerdy girls in high school, but the ratio was like 5 to 1, and the prettier ones dated popular guys. My first GF was one of these girls. She was into science, but freaked out over my enjoyment of Anime. She also didn't like me hanging out with nerdy friends... same with my friends on the football team. Um, being a derp is IN right now, in case you didn't know lol. The fact that you worked at an anime convention is COOL (at least *I* think it is). I LOVE anime (my fave one is Teresa Claymore and my fave vocaloid is Hatsune Miku "World Is Mine / Ryo"). Your ex-gf asking you to "never go to an anime convention again" was wayyyy out of line. I don't think you have to "watch what you say" around your friends or around ANYONE. If someone doesn't like the fact that you're into anime, oh well! I mean seriously, would you even want to hang around someone like that who'd be that judgmental about something that you're into? A cute and interesting derpy guy is HOT.. Derpy? I'm not familiar with the term. I am guessing you are on the younger side. When my GF asked me to never attend again... I don't think most people at the time would have agreed that was "out of line". I'm not sure I can explain to you what it was like to be in high school when the internet was considered just something for weirdos. Claymore is a very cool show!... and you listen to vocaloids? :bunny:
amaysngrace Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 Things have definitely changed. My nerdy son, a senior in high school, has never tried pot and only ever drank once during Hurricane Sandy when I bought him some Smirnoff Apple drinks so he could chill out because, being the nerd that he is, he understood well exactly what we were in for. But on the bright side...
Mrin Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 Yesterday's nerd is today's smart, financially secure man of the world with a penchant for the finer tastes in life. Meanwhile, yesterday's "in guy" is now the Norm equivalent at Buffalo Wild Wings, bitches about his two ex-wives, has a "wrongful" domestic violence conviction and just needs a little more over time so he can get that new truck. And maybe next year he'll move back out of his parents' basement. Oh that was fun to write. Actually that was paraphrasing one of my female friends on the modern dating climate.
devilish innocent Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 Teenagers are just insecure. They're worried that everybody will judge them for being a nerd or hanging out with one. They think if they do the judging first people will know they're not like that, and they won't lose their popularity. It becomes a vicious cycle. Adults are past all of that. They like the people and the hobbies that they like. They know if somebody likes something different it's just an incompatibility, not a sign that one person is better than the other. It's a whole different way of looking at the world. My husband is in his 30s and watches anime. He knows a lot of 30-something guys and girls who watch anime regularly, but none of them are into it enough to go to the conventions. Apparently, the only person he knows who goes to anime conventions is one of his female cousins who's in her 20s.
Fhsjkfjrhsdh3646 Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Idk, being in my mid 20s now people don't seem to care if you get a little nerdy about certain things. As long as your sociable and interesting still.
Harold of Andraste Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Don't be fooled. Women today still don't want nerdy socially awkward men.
Fhsjkfjrhsdh3646 Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Don't be fooled. Women today still don't want nerdy socially awkward men. Highlighted it for you. There are plenty of nerdy guys who are pretty outgoing and even alpha to an extent. Women just don't want to deal with socially awkward guys who don't know how to interact with people. 1
Harold of Andraste Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Highlighted it for you. There are plenty of nerdy guys who are pretty outgoing and even alpha to an extent. Women just don't want to deal with socially awkward guys who don't know how to interact with people. The stereotypical nerd isn't outgoing and alpha. Though it's now changing where guys who are "cool" can have nerdy interests. Those are the "nerds" that women actually like.
Fhsjkfjrhsdh3646 Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 The stereotypical nerd isn't outgoing and alpha. Though it's now changing where guys who are "cool" can have nerdy interests. Those are the "nerds" that women actually like. You said it - stereotypical. Not everything is black and white though I'd say I'm pretty nerdy, I'm a Cisco Networking nerd (CCNA) who plays World of Warcraft occasionally, and works on IT Helpdesk. But I regularly go out and socialize with friends, live an active lifestyle (gym 3+/week), and have a lot of normal hobbies and interests. I don't think I fit the nerd stereotype that you're describing Lol.
amaysngrace Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Just like most people worth pursuing, nerds have evolved.
Pyro Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Just like most people worth pursuing, nerds have evolved. That dog looks pretty nerdy....and smelly. 1
Author SawtoothMars Posted April 7, 2015 Author Posted April 7, 2015 Just like most people worth pursuing, nerds have evolved. I don't feel like I have changed, it's just I'm starting to feel like I don't have to hide it. Part of this also is that my xWife was from that part of American culture where nerdy things were looked down upon, but my wife who is a bit younger is the opposite.
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