Comments on: ‘CAUSE I’M NERDCORE LIKE THAT: Toward a Subversive Geek Identity

By: Beth Turner

Beth Turner — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:42:36 +0000

Ali and SeanH It made me give up on forums because I couldn’t stand the sexism apparent in EVERY post about Amy. Which killed me because she was honest and sexual and as she was described by the actress “She doesn’t want to be possessed and because of that isn’t possessive”. But the fact that they will flat out complain about things they claim Amy was doing that she DIDN’T do (like refuse to leave the Tardis WTF? That NEVER Happened) I just went “GAH!” and left.

And WDT I was (and am SO angry about Martha she was sooooo possible to be cool and they ruined her. Grrr.)

By: Taryn

Taryn — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:22:13 +0000

@ Garland: I think that was just Heinberg messing with us. I predict heart-wrenching “I love you but I can’t support you in this” pseudo!breaking up to add tension near the end of the run, followed by reuniting and a fan-appeasing kiss at the end. I’m holding on to the faith with both hands!!

By: Garland Grey

Garland Grey — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:38:59 +0000

@Jaime I think a lot of how much you are the focus of negative geek attention is in a large part related to your particular area of geekdom. Usually the more you encroach upon action comics, fighting/FPS games, or D&D games the more negative experiences you will have. Or if you are asking people to think about the type of female characters are in the media they consume in a nonsexual way – that is the unforgivable sin. I am assuming you would have less conflict if you were really into Shonen-Ai or Buffy, because one’s queer-themed and the other has a strong female heroine.

Essentially, it is possible to find a group of people who are supportive and great, and that is important. But geek spaces can be savage and insular in the world and online – some geeks make their savagery and insularity a point of pride, besides just being elitist assholes. These type of geeks swarm over a lot of nerd spaces and set up little fiefdoms, and a lot of us have come in contact with them. I mean, it’s a little much when you can’t even play X-Box live without people hurling slurs at you.

Oh, and having a WoW guild makes you an ubernerd. Just ask my mom.

By: Jaime

Jaime — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:04:20 +0000

haha I’ve always said that Cyclops and Wolverine were going to end up getting their frustrations out on each other sexually, the comics really insinuated that it was bound to happen.
I don’t know, maybe it’s the guys I’ve always hung out with? Maybe I’m too pushy? ;_; I’ve never really had an issue with geekboys not listening to my opinions. Sure, I have to fight a little harder and sure, I have to know my stuff a little more, but they always come around if I can prove whatever I am saying. Geek culture can also be one of the most accepting cultures in the long run. I don’t believe that geekdom is only centered on white boys (seeing as in other countries they are far more fanatical than in the US, take Japan for instance) and their whims. I think it’s based on a universal love for everything that doesn’t fit into society. Almost everyone I have ever met has been so open with their feelings and opinions, I have never felt that they were looking down on me for being female or anything of the sort. I realize that this may only be my experience but I feel that I have to share it.

P.S. I talk to my boyfriend about my WoW guild (and he doesn’t play)…what does this make me? >.>

By: Garland Grey

Garland Grey — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:29:31 +0000

@Taryn After that stunt in Avengers Headquarters, I am salty and skeptical. But that scene with Wiccan’s parents was like “AHHH Why isn’t this LIFE???”

By: Taryn

Taryn — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:59:40 +0000

I love this article, but I love your Young Avengers name-dropping even more. They’ll get an on-panel kiss before the end of Avengers: Children’s Crusade, they WILL.

By: Radical Scientist

Radical Scientist — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:06:17 +0000

This was entirely fabulous. Out of all the social spheres I’m moved through, geek culture has given me the best sanctuary and the worst headaches. It’s great to have someone lay out some of why.

By: Bittercup

Bittercup — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:25:41 +0000

Thank you for this post. I had a rude awakening a couple of years ago when I dared to voice my girly opinion about the sexism in comic books on a blog I once wrote. I had the full fury of white male geekdom hit me and it shocked the hell out of me. Talk about living under a rock, huh?

It upset me so much that I even stopped reading my beloved comics for awhile–I’m just starting to get into them again. I really appreciate that you’ve created a post that puts into words my feelings about what happened to me. Thanks.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:12:22 +0000

And also, pretty much everything Tab said. I’m kind of so excited that this post exists that I can’t concentrate.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:00:12 +0000

RIGHT. THE FUCK. ON.

As a queer guy that’s just getting into LARP-ing (one of my friends who’s big into costuming and sewing and cosplaying got me into it – TOTALLY MANLY AND COMPLETELY HETEROSEXUAL AMIRITE) I ran into a lot of the same problems. It was rad as hell while we were all in character, and things seemed pretty non-judgmental, but as soon as the game was over and my friend told that I liked guys it got all “Gay nerds EXIST?” and “Tell me about all the sex you have had ever to prove it!” and “Can you forcibly out the guy sitting next to you since I think he’s gay and your word is law on this kind of thing?” on me.

Plus, most of the straight guys playing were just so BORING about it. They seemed so much more into the numbers and proving how jacked and badass their character was than the roleplaying aspect of it, which is pretty much my favorite part, especially as a low-level character that can’t fight for long without dying, anyway. I mean, come on, I pretend to be halfling on a monthly basis, do you really think I can take this THAT seriously?