To be slightly envious of young geeks today

[fishdishwish]

They seem to have an easier time of it than we did. There are far more social networks for them, and I bet it's a hell of a lot easier for them to get boyfriends and girlfriends!

[Birdsgottafly]

Increased social networks, brings different ways of bullying.

The lack of RL friends can make you feel even more "odd" and isolated.

My DD is a Goth, she spends a lot of time on line, she discovered her interests, herself and expanded mine, such as Studio Ghibli and Japanese animation etc.

She has S&L issues, which gives her confidence issues.

Having on-line friends doesn't make up for RL friends, but it helps.

I think any fringe/alternative group is better accepted, these days, as bigotry is getting less.

From a personal POV from teens, I mix/work with them, their personal experiences aren't any easier than they ever were.

Generally the MH of teens is on a downward slide.

Academic achievement is more valued now, which helps the geeky/book worm kids.

[PersonalClown]

I don't know about that. The prevalence of social networks means there is no escape from bullying.

My home was my safety. There is no escape now.

But I am loving the fact that it is acceptable to be a superhero geek. I have loved Xmen since I was a child but in the 80s/90's Batman was only ok because of the films.

[WorraLiberty]

I think the Big Bang Theory did a lot of good for geeks

[fishdishwish]

Possibly, worra, although I've never actually watched it myself!

Fair point about the bullying through social networks.

[DiaDuit]

Agree worra.

[Rummikub]

Big Bang definitely helped geeks become cool.

[settingsitting]

I think they earn a lot which helps.

[fishdishwish]

Like I say, I've never watched it, so I'm probably not qualified to comment really, but it does seem odd that girls would be attracted to such a bunch of obviously socially-inept types.

I do wonder if it's in danger of creating some unreal expectations amongst young geeky lads...!!

[fishdishwish]

setting, I'm a geek and I don't earn much. Mind you, I'm not in IT...!!!

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

Geek used to be used as an insult. Now it's a compliment.

[DiseasesOfTheSheep]

And big, popular re-boots... Being a geek has never been so cool, or mainstream!

[fuzzpig]

I'm not sure actually, I think there are different levels of geekery and the more 'extreme' ones aren't any more acceptable than they were, IME. So the more quirky interests like superheroes, anime, gaming etc are becoming more mainstream (though still alternative) but from talking to current teens, being a geek in terms of being very studious, mathsy/sciencey, classical music etc... no, I don't think that's got much better in terms of social acceptability (despite BBT which is fabulous)

My teen DSD is really into anime (as am I, we have bonded even more over it!) and manga and actually said she's really glad it's not so niche anymore as it's made it easier for her to access it more.

[WorraLiberty]

My geeky 15yr old is only attracted to geeky girls

[Birdsgottafly]

I watch TBBT with my DD's, my youngest is still of the age were I spend a lot of time questioning the amount of sexism in these shows and why the women accept such poor relationships/treatment.

It might be doing males a favour, but not females.

The women on these shows that are into Sci-Fi are still regarded as "cute".

It's annoying as an all female household into Manga/Marvel/Horror/Gaming etc.

[settingsitting]

I know a whole heap of male geeks. I dont think I know any female ones. So you all may have a point.

[Birdsgottafly]

""not so niche anymore as it's made it easier for her to access it more.""

It was brilliant being able to get Marvel PJs in Primark.

I don't like the way they are changing to be popular, though.

What has been good is the increase in dubbed Anime films being shown on the pictures.

My DD and her friends have LD's and cannot read subtitles and still enjoy the film, neither can my Mum after her last stroke.

[Birdsgottafly]

Just to add, I hope the increase in popularity prompts the dubbing of more films.

[CastilianHhhhidalgo]

Being a geek has never been so cool, or mainstream!

The problem with that is you get the accusations of people, especially women and girls, only being part of a fandom because it's now mainstream and cool.

[Smilesandpiles]

I grounded DD after she did something stupid months ago, part of the punishment was that I took the laptop and phone off her. This was 4 months ago.

She's 14 and DOESN'T want them back. Says she's happier without it all and has the genuine excuse of not being dragged into dramas at school because she never sees anything kicking off online as that is where it all usually starts. 3 of her 5 friends are the same and they are not online either adn 2 of them don't bother with a mobile phone through choice. They all do things old school, arrange to meet up without the need for mobile phones, trust each other to turn up when they say they will and where...she uses my laptop for homework and the school IT time for a little bit of minecraft but she's not that bothered about that either.

I asked her if she wanted a phone or ipad, she asked for the Ipod classic instead..I asked if she wanted the Ipod touch as that's what all the kids have, she declined and reasoned that that is EXACTLY why she doesn't want the Touch..just the classic. "I want an ipod mum that just plays music..not one that has a load of apps I wont use or one that means that people can contact me on it. If I wanted to talk to them, I'd go up to them and say something, not facetime them or send stupid pictures..I use music so I don't have to talk to anyone if I don't want to"

Asking her if she wanted to get involved in social media is the same as asking her if she wanted to boil her head in oil.

Another upside that we've both noticed is that her grades have shot up. I mean, they've really, really gone up. In some subjects she is either hitting or exceeding the targets she should be aiming for by the end of NEXT year.

[Smilesandpiles]

OK, the thread has moved on a lot while I was typing that post.

[Smilesandpiles]

Seeing as the thread has moved on....

dd is also into manga and likes that it's so much more accepted now than it was before. She is forever drawing stuff in that fashion. It has become a lot more mainstream but for the better.

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

It's like lots of things. When I was young reading was seen as sad. We didn't have a tv and that was seen as freaky. My parents are slightly eccentric and they were considered really odd.
Now reading is cool, having a tv is different but not strange and my parents are considered cool.

[fishdishwish]

And of course, we still live in a culture which worships the laddish romeo with his 'cheeky' borderline sexism...

[fuzzpig]

What has been good is the increase in dubbed Anime films being shown on the pictures. That was the main bonus for DSD. She is very dyslexic so keeping up with subtitles is exhausting for her! She has managed a few series that were only available with subtitles (I'll never forget her pride - or mine - when she announced she'd watched her first ever subtitled series :)) but mostly, she understandably prefers dubbed.

Some don't seem to be available dubbed on DVD though, even when she's seen the dubbed version online.

Sorry, total tangent there.

[Pangaea]

Completely. I've been to Comic Con for the past few years. Really is a wonderful social occasion.