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.
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.
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.
Tuxie, we have a rule against trolling here. You may want to review our Registration Agreement 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
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?
Well, Neelix was with Kes who was only three!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sure it has a bad reputation, what with all that drugging people and having sex with them.
Oh, wait, you mean the other cosplay.
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.
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
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.
Heh – I once made a comment to the effect of: we nerds lust after Lara Croft; but we look like Dilbert.
Flattering outfit.
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.