# "Cosplay is hurting comic book conventions" - What's the reasoning behind this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2014, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632 "2014-12-08T04:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/61 "2014-12-10T18:03:22Z")
> [@Tuxie](#): > > I heard anecdotes about a proportionally high amount of convicted sex offenders happened to be Trekkies. Similarly, several people who spent time in prison noted that all the D&D groups consisted of prisoners who were sex offenders. Now I am not saying all the people into Star Trek and D&D are child molesters per se , but it also can’t be coincidental either. Well, it may not be coincidental, as it’s likely not true. Got a cite? Now ye, by and large D&D players will be literate, and drawn from the white collar criminal crowd. Fraudsters, etc. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/62 "2014-12-10T18:07:30Z")
> [@Tuxie](#): > > Slightly off-topic, but comments about cosplayers and furries reminded me of something: > > I heard anecdotes about a proportionally high amount of convicted sex offenders happened to be Trekkies. Similarly, several people who spent time in prison noted that all the D&D groups consisted of prisoners who were sex offenders. Now I am not saying all the people into Star Trek and D&D are child molesters per se , but it also can’t be coincidental either. > > Maybe it is just easier to groom children if you happen to have a hobby that appeals to them? It doesn’t make you a child molester, just a potentially more effective one. So, so much wrong with this. Do you know ANY children that are familiar with D&D or Star Trek? Comics haven’t been aimed at kids for forty or more years at least. ---
**Author:** ![Tuxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@Tuxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuxie)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/63 "2014-12-10T18:42:49Z")
Star Trek got a reboot recently. I’m not saying all Trekkie’s and D&D fans are molesters, nor implying these kind of media promote it. I’m saying that if a molester was trying to groom children, having these kinds of hobbies would give them an advantage. Being super into tabletop games, Lego, etc brings you into groups with very broad age ranges. There’s also the ongoing problem with unwanted photographs and touching at conventions. While it is true it would be a gross generalization to say everyone is like this, at the same time I bet the defensiveness people have about their hobbies, communities and subcultures also causes them to downplay the bad elements. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/64 "2014-12-10T18:46:34Z")
**Tuxie** , we have a rule against trolling here. You may want to review our [Registration Agreement](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=650726) and drop this hijack. If you want to pursue this line of discussion, take it to Great Debates. No warning issued. **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/65 "2014-12-10T18:52:41Z")
> [@Tuxie](#): > > Star Trek got a reboot recently. > > I’m not saying all Trekkie’s and D&D fans are molesters, nor implying these kind of media promote it. I’m saying that if a molester was trying to groom children, having these kinds of hobbies would give them an advantage. Being super into tabletop games, Lego, etc brings you into groups with very broad age ranges. . D&D is not really a game for young kids. Nor are Trekkies young kids either. Other than being male (more than 80%), being abused as a child (40% to 80% ) and having a close relation with the child (“stranger danger” is minimal, as little as perhaps 10%) there is _nothing_ that links any occupations or hobbies with molestation. _Not_ the clergy, _not_ playing games,\* nothing. \* So, do you have _any_ facts or cites? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/66 "2014-12-10T19:20:20Z")
Well, Neelix was with Kes who was only three! ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/67 "2014-12-10T19:21:49Z")
😛 ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/68 "2014-12-10T19:34:28Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > Do you know ANY children that are familiar with D&D or Star Trek? Unless we’re defining children as 5 and under then yes I know quite a few children who are not only familiar but into D&D and Trek. I got into D&D and ST:NG when I was 10 and before NG came out I was watching original Trek with my dad. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/69 "2014-12-10T22:15:56Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Unless we’re defining children as 5 and under then yes I know quite a few children who are not only familiar but into D&D and Trek. I got into D&D and ST:NG when I was 10 and before NG came out I was watching original Trek with my dad. Ditto. I certainly don’t agree with the stated premise, but D&D and Star Trek were both interests of mine from age 9-12ish, and others in my family were similar. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/70 "2014-12-11T21:34:01Z")
The Atlantic just had an article about this, pretty much blaming it on sexism and a long history of comics (and guys interested in comics) getting lumped in with homosexuals and effeminate behavior as things that “real men” mock or are better than. > **[The Comic-Book Guys Quivering in Fear of Cosplay](https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/12/why-comic-book-guys-are-quivering-at-cosplay-gender-insecurity/383617/)** > > The backlash against fans—especially women—who dress up might speak to some gender anxiety on the part of nerddom's gatekeepers. I would have liked to see a bit more digging into the actual numbers, and the opinions of actual professionals/sellers in the convention market, but it was an interesting op-ed piece. I especially liked the call-out that nerdy assholes will laugh at women cosplayers if they’re slightly overweight, but have the Adam West Batman’s campy pudgy self as part of their history. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/71 "2014-12-11T22:36:28Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > The Atlantic just had an article about this, pretty much blaming it on sexism and a long history of comics (and guys interested in comics) getting lumped in with homosexuals and effeminate behavior as things that “real men” mock or are better than. Has this been true for the last 25 years? Batman and Superman are beloved and I can’t see anyone pulling out this argument in the age of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/72 "2014-12-11T23:39:55Z")
I don’t think so, no, but if your target offended demographic at the cons is grumpy pissed-offed middle-aged people (call the average 45 years old) then THEY might be remembering how it was when they were younger and are still grumpy about it, and/or they’re pissed that this new generation gets to enjoy “their” hobby without getting picked up and tossed head-first into a dumpster over it. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/73 "2014-12-12T00:21:56Z")
Sure it has a bad reputation, what with all that drugging people and having sex with them. Oh, wait, you mean the _other_ cosplay. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/74 "2014-12-12T04:01:41Z")
You are evil, **Bryan**. Truly evil. Go to Hell, do not pass Go, do not collect $200 evil. Just thought you should know before you die. ETA: Ooops! I didn’t think of how there are people already in Hell who would be offended by my comment. The Damned, I apologize for saying something that might’ve hurt your feelings. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/75 "2014-12-15T23:43:48Z")
Hurting how exactly? I agree that the industry is moribund and changing and that you have to adapt to survive. Here’s a pic of me at Wizard World in costume [![](https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a151/doccathode/MeAsCultist.jpg) ](https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a151/doccathode/MeAsCultist.jpg) Personally, I go to cons to find things I didn’t know I wanted. At Retrocon, I got an Elf Quest action figure, a Berni Wrightson graphic novel, and an actual pay phone to mount in my kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632/76 "2014-12-16T00:59:19Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > I especially liked the call-out that nerdy assholes will laugh at women cosplayers if they’re slightly overweight, but have the Adam West Batman’s campy pudgy self as part of their history. Heh – I once made a comment to the effect of: we nerds lust after Lara Croft; but _ **we** _ look like Dilbert. > [@DocCathode](#): > > Here’s a pic of me at Wizard World in costume > > [http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a151/doccathode/MeAsCultist.jpg](http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a151/doccathode/MeAsCultist.jpg) Flattering outfit. > [@](#): > > Personally, I go to cons to find things I didn’t know I wanted. At Retrocon, I got an Elf Quest action figure, a Berni Wrightson graphic novel, and an actual pay phone to mount in my kitchen. True. I have not been to a con of any kind in many years but that was one of the big attractions. And there you see, Doc, that you bring in the best of both worlds: you enjoy the cosplay AND you actually shop the dealers/artists rooms. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cosplay-is-hurting-comic-book-conventions-whats-the-reasoning-behind-this/706632.md?page=3)