Sports fan=good, Sci-fi fan=bad?

[Amanita]

I remember a discussion on an internet message board when Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith came out. One guy in particular had a lot of hate to spew at SW fans who wear costumes or the like. He said "I'm not going until it's been out at least a week, I don't want to sit next to some wierdo with a toy lightsaber!'

Now, on the day the movie came out, I did go in costume. I didn't make it to the midnight premiere, but I caught a screening a few hours later with a friend. At one point before the movie, I was killing time near the bus stop watching a construction site, and one older lady came up to me, looked at my robes and confessed that she had mistaken me for a nun. I thought this was pretty funny, so I posted it on that forum. And of course, the same guy talking smack earlier came after me. "Now you see that, that's why I don't want to go to the movie until it's been out awhile, I don't want to sit next to somebody like you!"
Wow, way to be ignorant, pal! I responded that at least those of us into the fandom enough to bring costumes and lightsabers were there to actually WATCH THE MOVIE, and he could bet that when the lights went down, all us "geeks" would be in our seats, engrossed in the film for the duration. Who would he rather sit next to? The "geeky fan" who's totally engrossed in the movie, or a "normal person" who talks the whole time, uses a cell phone, makes out with their partner, or whips out a whole McDonalds meal and makes a mess eating it?

But it got me thinking- Sports fans are also known for dressing up to go to their games- team jerseys, facepaint, and even more elaborate outfits and props have been spotted at games. Just look up the Green Bay Packelope for one example. But you don't hear people saying "I don't want to go to the game and sit next to some wierdo/dumb jock with team facepaint and an airhorn!"

Us sci-fi fans who do costuming have all manner of insults thrown at us. We're accused of being losers who live in our mom's basements. We're called losers, nerds, our sexual prowess is even called into question. But sports fans who like to dress and paint themselves up don't seem to get this, at least not nearly as much. They're not called nerds and losers, or told that they need to get laid.

So why the difference? Why is being the Packelope okay, but dressing as a Jedi is "dorky"? (FYI, I have nothing against the Packelope, kudos to him for having fun)

After all, when's the last time Sci-fi fans rioted in the streets when they didn't like the latest movie? When's the last time cosplaying fans affected the same level of mayhem as soccer hooligans have been known to?
I just don't get why one kind of creative fandom (dressing up for sporting events) is cool, while the same kind of thing done as a sci-fi, anime, or fantasy fan somehow makes the person a dork or worse.

(Another FYI- I'm referring to fans of either sci-fi or sports dressing up, NOT naming their kids after their fave athlete or character, or other over the top behavior)

[Parrothead]

I think it's because the "geeks", "nerds", "dorks", etc, don't go on rampages.


And probably a throwback to high school, too.

[blas87]

I don't understand either one personally. I've never been a huge sports fan or very into sci-fi (save for some NFL rivalry and Star Wars).

Normally I don't side with the "geeks", but this time, I just will. I come from Packer Land, and I would be upset if a bunch of inbred beer gutted shirtless Packer fans with green and gold painted all over their bodies with giant cheeseheads were poking fun at someone dressed up for a new Star Wars flick.

[AdminAssistant]

I come from Packer Land, and I would be upset if a bunch of inbred beer gutted shirtless Packer fans with green and gold painted all over their bodies with giant cheeseheads were poking fun at someone dressed up for a new Star Wars flick.

This this this. Actually, at least the Star Wars folks are going to a place with climate control. I wonder how many of those cheeseheads get hypothermia?

I dressed up for a movie once: RHPS. Got some strange looks, but wasn't made fun of. Oh, and I wouldn't go to a big sci-fi film (or any other film with a huge following) on the first weekend because I'm extremely claustrophobic and wouldn't want to be squished in a space with that many people.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

As someone who regularly dresses up in military digs to play Airsoft, I can sympathize. Only we tend to get the inevitable "You're disrespecting the army" "You're impersonating soldiers" etc.

Although, there is the occasional vet I've bumped into who thinks it's awesome that we find what they do 'cool'.

And the reason, as per usual, for the discrepancy is that most people are hypocrites, and sports fandom suffers from exactly that abnormally often due to the fact that asshole jocks universally enter the ranks.

[jackfaire]

I once heard a sports fan comment, "God man how can you play video games your just sitting on a couch playing a game all day" It took me awhile to stop laughing and point out that my sitting on the couch was interactive whereas his involved watching others have fun.

[Racket_Man]

You should see the looks we get and the comments that get made when standing in line for Rocky Horror (other than Halloween when a lot of the female bar hoppers dress in skimpy outfits and half the guys just wear some stupid hat as a "costume")

[Greenday]

As someone who regularly dresses up in military digs to play Airsoft, I can sympathize. Only we tend to get the inevitable "You're disrespecting the army" "You're impersonating soldiers" etc.

Interesting. I never knew this happened. More often than not, whenever I go paintballing, the majority of people there are in camo. I mean, isn't the whole purpose of camouflage is to...camouflage yourself?

As for people dressing up for sci-fi stuff being looked down upon, it's more that it's sci-fi than anything. Sports will forever be cool and science fiction will not.

[Stormraven]

For some reason, I don't see this much when playing SCA or Renn Faire. At least, not until we're out of garb. I wonder why? :)

[Lace Neil Singer]

Must be the big pointy weapons. XD

This happens to me sometimes, within the music community. You see, some bands are cool, and some are not. Personally, I don't give a toss. But some people do.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

Interesting. I never knew this happened. More often than not, whenever I go paintballing, the majority of people there are in camo. I mean, isn't the whole purpose of camouflage is to...camouflage yourself?

As for people dressing up for sci-fi stuff being looked down upon, it's more that it's sci-fi than anything. Sports will forever be cool and science fiction will not.

The difference is that most paintballers (that I've seen/known) either wear the 'for paintball' camo jumpers, regular clothes that have camo or at the most just a set of BDUs.

I airsoft in a real set of authentic ACUs (Army Combat Uniforms) with a black MOLLE plate-carrier, as well as a pair of droplegs, replica MICH 2000 helmet and some riot arm/shin guards I got off evike, using a 1:1 replica HK MP5 and para ord 1911.

Basically, everything looks AND functions exactly like real gear and weaponry. The weapons are magazine fed (unlike paintball hoppers) and the equipment serves the same function as it would in real life (ammunition carrying, easy access, weapons carrying.) The only thing that's out of place is my save phace mask, though I've heard Eye Tactical has recently made a ballistic face mask for millitary use.

Basically, casually realistic airsofters are worlds further down the military simulation road than counterpart paintballers. Milsim Paintballers exist, but it's hardly the norm.

In fact, my avi is me in my gear (minus the helmet, as I didn't have it yet)

All this inevitably leads to allegations of 'horrible dishonor' to the military, especially since some people feel the need to adorn themselves with insignia. I, personally, refrain from doing so. But some do.

[EmiOfBrie]

The jocks need to just fuck off.

I think it's fun! :) I dressed as "Sadako" when I saw The Ring Two in the Mall of America theater in 2005 :)

No one yelled at me. And I even posed for some pictures in the ticket line :)

[crashhelmet]

You should see the looks we get and the comments that get made when standing in line for Rocky Horror (other than Halloween when a lot of the female bar hoppers dress in skimpy outfits and half the guys just wear some stupid hat as a "costume")

You should see the looks I've gotten from performing in the RHPS. Nothing like the first time you goto Denny's/IHOP/whatever's still open in full costume for "breakfast" and seeing the looks on the faces of the staff.

As for what Wingates said, from what I've experienced with AirSoft is it comes down to how far you go. My roommate has a team and is trying to get me involved. Half the team is former military or current reserves, and for the civilians, as long as we don't wear an insignia that we didn't earn (Marine Corps, SeAL, Rangers, etc) they could care less.

Personally, i'd rather sit next to a costumed "geek" at a movie than a costumed "freak" a sporting event. Making an ass of one's self at a sporting even is *MY* job :p

CH

[blas87]

I'd also like to note, I don't think a bunch of geeks are about to start fights at the bar or destroy their homes/apartments or disturb their neighbors with their shouting/screaming/thumping/pounding the way sports fans do when the game goes awry for their team.

Oh hey, air soft guys? I have a new place for you guys to play. You are welcome over here every Sunday afternoon/evening between 12-10 pm when my stupid neighbor is trashing his apartment when the Packers are losing.

Aww piss, forgot that Packer season is over....meh, ANY TIME sports are on and he's on a rampage....

[smileyeagle1021]

Sports will forever be cool and science fiction will not.

Of course, what none of the sports fans want to admit is that in 10 years that 'geek' dressed up at the Star Wars premier will probably be making twice as much money as them :)
As much of a cliche that is, it is somewhat true. Who is most likely to enjoy sci-fi? Those who are impressed with what might be. By definition fields like physics, research, engineering, etc require the type of person who is intrigued by what might be and wants to turn it into what is.
Not to say that sports fans can't be intelligent people who make excellent engineers, but I'll bet most of the hatred of the 'geeks' is from the people who realize that they won't be as successful.

[gremcint]

Someone should point out to these macho jocks that they are watching a bunch of guys in tight clothing while I'm playing dead or alive.

(nothing against homosexuals I just think it would really get under their skin)

[Greenday]

Of course, what none of the sports fans want to admit is that in 10 years that 'geek' dressed up at the Star Wars premier will probably be making twice as much money as them :)
As much of a cliche that is, it is somewhat true. Who is most likely to enjoy sci-fi? Those who are impressed with what might be. By definition fields like physics, research, engineering, etc require the type of person who is intrigued by what might be and wants to turn it into what is.
Not to say that sports fans can't be intelligent people who make excellent engineers, but I'll bet most of the hatred of the 'geeks' is from the people who realize that they won't be as successful.

Tell that to people like Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia. I'm sure they'll agree.

[smileyeagle1021]

Greenday, sadly I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not.
Though I do know several professional athletes have said very publicly that young people need to focus more on school. That it's good to dream big and go for the big leagues, but be prepared for reality and have that education to fall back on.
That said, the wealthiest athlete will make in their lifetime what Bill Gates makes in a year :p

[lordlundar]

Why does this happen? Simple. Look at your TV listings. How many channels cover sports in a serious context. Apart from specialty channels that don't involve sports in any way, all of them do.

Now look at sci-fi. How many cover sci-fi as something other than stupid entertainment? A handful on satellite, even less on cable, and always huddled away in the higher number channels.

Being a sports fan has ALWAYS been held in high esteem, because people could rally around their local team and cheer them on, like the people would support their country's miltary (and there is considerable ties between the two if you look it up). They're rallying around a colour, just instead of it being the banner of your country, it's the uniform of your favorite team.

Sci-fi on the other hand has always been shunned, because it's considered senseless loyalty. No one gives a damn whether you like <insert sci-fi/fantasy here> any more than if you like <insert food item here>, unless you have a very similar or opposite point of view.

Sports are seen as social. Sci-fi is seen as reclusive, and the media and populace don't want to change the status quo.

[Greenday]

Greenday, sadly I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not.
Though I do know several professional athletes have said very publicly that young people need to focus more on school. That it's good to dream big and go for the big leagues, but be prepared for reality and have that education to fall back on.
That said, the wealthiest athlete will make in their lifetime what Bill Gates makes in a year :p

Kinda sarcastic. A-Rod is making $275 million over 10 years just to play baseball alone. Sabathia is making $161 million over 7 years.

Sadly, there are more million dollar athletes visible than any other famous people. I mean there's Trump, Gates...yea.

[Vagabond]

Sports are seen as social. Sci-fi is seen as reclusive, and the media and populace don't want to change the status quo.

True. The image of people going to a sporting event or gathering around for a Bowl game is more prevalent than say, getting together for an episode of <show> or having a marathon <tv/movie> showing. Although, LAN games are becoming more known, I don't think they're that widely occuring/happening (I'm not counting MMOs).

[jackfaire]

Pizza Beer and a TV is oddly needed for both my sci fi marathons and for sports games.

[gremcint]

They make Pizza Beer?

[jackfaire]

They make Pizza Beer?

Whoops would be interesting flavor

[HYHYBT]

Someone should point out to these macho jocks that they are watching a bunch of guys in tight clothing while I'm playing dead or alive.Whoever chooses to point that out should do so carefully, and preferably not in person.

[GenniferGrievous]

As a sci-fi geek, I can total relate to this.

IN 2008, everyone laughed when I went to DragonCon in Atlanta.


BUT ... in February our store is covered in football/Superbowl banners, etc.


So, smacking people around on some fake grass is "cool" ?

[Amanita]

I saw a promo for "Blue mountain state" on Spike, which featured everybody naked in the shower, shaving each other's naughty bits as some sort of hazing ritual. I looked at that and thought "Damn, if that's not one of the most homoerotic things I've ever laid eyes on!"

[jackfaire]

At my high school one of the football players was a cross dresser.

[Fryk]

I personally think there SHOULD have been riots after Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

[Bloodsoul]

I'd like to imagine that fans tried to use a mass Jedi mind trick but Lucas' powers of the Dark Side was too much for them to overcome.

[Fryk]

These aren't the movies you're looking for.

[SG15Z]

I always wondered this myself, but we Sci Fi fans have always been looked down upon. I'm use to it and don't care. If they don't like Sci Fi well that's their loss. :p

I personally think there SHOULD have been riots after Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Should it? Probably? But would we have ever done that? Unlikely. Sci Fi fans tend to be more in control of their anger. That and most of us weren't drinking DURING the movie but I'm pretty sure a lot were AFTER.

[IDrinkaRum]

I say we need to have more drive-in movie theaters showing sci-fi movies (well, first we need more drive-in movie theaters), so us sci-fi fans can dress up as our fave sci-fi characters, trash talk other sci-fi movies and tailgate. That sounds like the best of both worlds to me. :p

'cos really, who goes to a sport event to actually watch the game? It's all about the tailgating baby! LOL

[Amanita]

I LOVE that idea, as long as there's something for the non-car people too, since I don't drive.
Sci-fi films and tailgating FTW!

And I totally agree on how it seems us sci-fi fans are in better control of our anger, or find more constructive ways to vent. Instead of knocking over a trash can in the street, we come home and rant on the internet. Although I suppose it helps that we're not knocking back huge cups of booze during the movie:)

[jackfaire]

http://www.weregeek.com/

Felt appropriate to point this out.

[elsporko]

Are there alot of people dressing up in paint and elaborate costumes for sports who make fun of geeks? Maybe people who don't like geeks dressing up think dressing up that much for sports is also lame. I mean, I don't want to act crazy like people are individuals and not all sports fans are knuckle dragging Neanderthals who make a living by teasing nerds but I think we should possibly entertain that possibility. Maybe the problem isn't "sports fans" as much as "assholes?"

[smileyeagle1021]

Maybe the problem isn't "sports fans" as much as "assholes?"

In 58 posts this is the first time I've actually agreed with you :eek:

Of course there is the problem that sports activities tend to attract assholes more than sci-fi events do.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

In 58 posts this is the first time I've actually agreed with you :eek:

Of course there is the problem that sports activities tend to attract assholes more than sci-fi events do.

Yeah, almost shocking...

Exactly, my theory is that sports fandom, like internet anonymity, slowly (or not so slowly) turns mild assholes into raging assholes... and the booze probably doesn't help either...

[elsporko]

The trouble with sports is that people get way too into it. My dad is way too into the Packers, but he isn't an asshole so its not too bad. I'm not into any particular teams but I do enjoy watching football, so going to a game and not caring who wins is fun. Plus there's lots of beer which is fun. Assholes however are the ones throwing a hissy fit when their team loses or getting violent when somebody doesn't like their team.

[Fashion Lad!]

Sports fan = good, sci-fi fan = bad... sports fan = bad, sci-fi fan = good. It goes both ways. A lot of my friends are really into Sci-Fi, me, I'm really not. They pick on me!

[mikoyan29]

In 58 posts this is the first time I've actually agreed with you :eek:

Of course there is the problem that sports activities tend to attract assholes more than sci-fi events do.
I don't know about that one. Each has it's share of assholes.


Anyways, nice spoof....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN1WN0YMWZU

But what I don't get is why do they need to mutually exclusive? I enjoy Sci Fi (somewhat) but not enough to dress up. I prefer to watch the movies, read the books etc. I enjoy sports but about the only dress up I do is having a Red Wings Jersey and various team paraphenalia (shirts, hats etc).

But I think what really gets me sometimes is the person who can tell you Babe Ruth's average with two men on criticizes someone who can tell you Captain Kirk's uniform size.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

Maybe the sports assholes are just louder and more overtly obnoxious *shrug*

There isn't a group of people ever identified that doesn't have members that 'go too far'

Apparently, the knowledge that between the m9 m4 and m249 US adopted weapons, only one is of US origin, makes me a 'crazy gun nut'. Lots of people like guns, but my intense interest in all things related is seen as going too far...

After a certain point it's only to be expected, though that's still no excuse for it. People have differing interests of differing levels, who's to say which is 'better'?

P.S. Also, no one seems to get it when I explain to them that the mercs in RE1 suck in comparison with the ones in RE2