responses to a "Geekdom dark side" article

Geekdom sees it's own dark side - San Francisco cosplay - Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/geekdom-sees-it-s-own-dark-side?fb_action_ids=10151128142044658&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210151128142044658%22%3A10152059893775285%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210151128142044658%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map=[]

If I have any problem with some of the newcomers into geekdom, or a particular fandom, it's my personally having witnessed newcomers being antagonistic towards geekdom.  Whether they be a non-fan, coming to our convention, to riducule us as a sideshow, or by making me feel like a walking sideshow, by riduculing a fan of my type for trying out their fandom's convention.  I have walked by people in an anime convention's exhibit hall, who cry out, "I don't even like anime!", sufficiently shattering the air of acceptance we were prepared to feel at-con, into a mere, false sense of security.  And I've stood shyly in line at other cons, about to pull out my manga for the 2+hour wait, only to be unable to escape the manga-hating conversation of the group next to me, and pressed between intimidation and boredom at a con that was supposed to be fun.

And I have been victim of those acidic comments to cosplay.  I love DeviantArt, but I post my cosplay pictures at Cosplay.com, unless I can be absolutely confident about my photos/cosplay, in such an objective coldness, that there sometimes isn't an ounce of fun allowed.  ;_;  Otherwise, I've gotten comments like "You're ugly", rather than, "Try different lighting or this type of make-up".  Nevermind constructive criticism---Where did all the human empathy and fun go?

 This article actually reminds me about a point I was making in my recent blog entry:  It's so jarring to experience geeks being exclusionary and judgemental, when in Real Life (outside the fandom) we are usually the subjects of ridicule and ostrization.  Weren't we supposed to learn empathy from surviving the guanlet of the Mundane world?  When did the fandom world become an opportunity to become the bullies that tortured us in Mundane life?  It's not like that Elitist reversal of power is really retaliating against the people who rightfully deserve the searing end of indignation.

I really liked the last paragraph of this article, which brought attention to the vast, growing library and variety of fandoms available.  To me, this reinforces the idea that there is something for everyone.  Therefore, everyone has a right to be a geek.