Ed Brubaker said, "If you look at the generation now in power in the entertainment industry, they grew up with comics as serious stuff. The Geeks have won." Discuss how elements of nerd culture have become part of every day life. Technology, media, the vanishing stigma of coding. Comic books and the rise of alternative fiction. Have the Geeks won?
I think this would be a fun discussion to have. I think unfortunately it is never this cut and dry, those leading the entertainment industry (when looking at financial power) are not the geeks. However, with concepts such as BitCoin becoming viable, the financial viability of the gaming industry, and the franchising of Marvel, all do suggest that perhaps an argument could be made. However, part of this needs to also be, as your heading suggests, a definition of geek and nerd culture that was previously alternative culture and if these are still viable subcultures or merely part of mainstream culture. So perhaps the double edged sword of the rise and fall of geek culture? – SaraiMW7 years ago
In tandem with the first comment, I think the 'why' of this topic needs to be explored carefully. Beyond the fact that people who have grown up reading comics are now in charge, what other conditions have made Nerd Culture possible? – jallegro7 years ago
So let's face it, "nerd" culture has become pop culture. Superhero movies are the biggest movies every year, The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular shows on television right now, and virtually everyone plays some sort of videos games. With that being said I would love to see an article discussing how the stigma of social outcast has, or hasn't, changed with the popularization of Nerd Culture.
Great topic. You could start with Revenge of the Nerds movie that accurately portrayed how nerds ultimately ruled. Certainly true in this day and age where they are the dot.com millionaires, billionaires even trillionaires. Because of them it's cool to be a geek now. Good for them. – Munjeera9 years ago
I think that this is going to be a great article! – KMetres9 years ago
Absolutely man! That's an article I'd love to read. It'd be interesting to examine how the high school-esque social pyramid looks like now. If the nerds are no longer at the bottom, who is? – EarlGreyTRex9 years ago
This would be quite interesting! I think the stigma exists with certain activities; such as reading comic books or playing table top RPG's. To an extent MMO's still have that huge geek stigma. Perhaps its how much time you dedicate to an activity dictates how much stigma you get. ie. how society treats someone who likes watching Marvel movies versus people who cosplay as their favourite character. – AmyChristine9 years ago
We rely on computers for our own wealth and those that control them have power. The nerd as a negative stereotype is an extension of our frustration with our lack of control. It would be interesting to read about the relationship we have with technology and the social acceptance of the nerd. – Aaron9 years ago
Munjeera got it: the portal to another reality can be opened by the nerd next to you, so be nice, Mr. Quarterback, no more swirlies. – Tigey8 years ago