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

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.