There has not been a more over-used plot line than that of the “nerdy” underdog that saves the day and gets the girl or guy. The “underdog” story’s popularity has opened the doors, and has improved social norms that bring the terms “nerdy” and “geeky” to an entirely new level.
Rather than being an outcast for watching “Star Wars” or reading Marvel comics, people are considered socially slow when they say they haven’t seen “The Avengers” or held a light saber before. More and more people are “embracing their inner geek” as superheroes, hobbits, Jedi, and wizards mosey their ways into popularity.
Social Media sites like Tumblr and Pinterest whose users have created accounts solely in the name of their nerdy interests, or for lack of a better word, “fandom,” helped spread the growing popularity for things like “Harry Potter” and BBC’s “Doctor Who.”
With Marvel’s release of the “The Avengers” and DC’s release of the Dark Knight series, there has been a heightened popularity in superheroes as well. I see more clothing and merchandise with the bat symbol on them, and most things considered nerdy have become fashion trends.
Zombies, ghosts, and witches have become such popular topics that some of TV’s most popular shows are AMC’s “The Walking Dead” and FX’s “American Horror Story.”
These “fandoms” are not just a passing fad. Shows such as “Supernatural” and “Doctor Who” are well over their fifth seasons, and their fan bases are still growing all over the world.
Such things have peaked so much in popularity that they bring in a fan base that is the equivalent to that of a sports event like the World Series. Instead of a stadium of fans, an entire convention center is filled with light saber, phaser, and magic wand fans alike.
Once a year conventions like Comic Con and the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo bring together “fandoms” in one common and exciting place. Rather than putting fans of different things against one another, these conventions and social media sites unite them under one roof.
Comic Con has become such a popular event that getting tickets to it has become exceedingly difficult, due to its overflow of fans and high prices.
Whether you are labeled as a geek or not, these so-called” nerdy” subjects are no longer being considered as negative interests, and are being embraced worldwide.
