Nerd Culture and Women's Acceptance

Last week, with Caleb’s guest lecture I found a lot of valid points in his presentation. However, I feel there were some flaws in what was being said in the discussion amongst everyone. I believe the whole “what’s cool” factor might have a hand with this in shaping what is that we see.

If you look online and do some quick Google searches, or better yet, just look at any popular television show, such as The Big Bang Theory. You will see that the expectations of “nerd” have become more of a look or identity that is associated with it.  We see well dressed men with big stylish glasses or men dressed in flannel with facial hair with large framed glasses that are classified with the term, “nerd”. These are not truly what nerdom is. It’s more than just a fashion statement, it’s having a devotion or familiarity with a connection to something they enjoy, whether it be video games, a television show (Doctor Who fans I’m looking at you), or comics. It’s much more than just a fashion statement.

I don’t necessarily see women dressing up in sexy cosplay as a weakness or threat to a Geek women’s role in fandom. Women are merely just playing the cards they are dealt with and making do with what their present situation is in today’s world. It’s empowering to them, when you want to see Wonderwomen or Starfire you don’t want a man to dress up, you would want a woman doing it. What’s the deal with dressing a little sexy? They are still able to celebrate their fandom and enjoy what’s being offered to them, while still being able to dress in cosplay! If anything it shows them embracing the powers given to them and allows them to prove they have their own special place in that world. The problem lies in the men who are so set in their ways. I would even go as far as to compare to as people come to terms with people of opposite color. With each passing of generation, our former ideals or set of ideas, will evolve and become more accepting. This holds true with women in nerd culture.