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In Topic: Mr. Darcy, terror of the undead
Posted 9 Apr 2009
You have no idea how many people have sent me that link.
Coworker, Guy I Haven't Spoken To Since Freshman Year of College, Peter Sagal, and the rest of the world, let me take this opportunity to state publicly: Got it. -
In Topic: Self-Proclaimed Nerds/Geeks
Posted 1 Apr 2009
I don't think I'm pretentious about it, but I would have to say web comic if I was trying to tell a new acquaintance about that one. For proof of that exact phenomenon (ie the limited readership and popularity of comic books), look at the common reaction to the film Watchmen. Most people admit they've never read it. So how can I go from knowing that to assuming thy might have heard of xkcd?
Yeah, of course, context - I mean, if someone at my office said "There's this webcomic about D&D--that is, Dungeons and Dragons" I'd be like "Dude, Order of the Stick? Let's get lunch!" I mean, that's a genuinely nice unexpected-find moment.
But the people who send me links to xkcd like I've never heard of it, or overexplain geek references to me generally know me only as geek friend-of-friends or because they read something I wrote online. So it comes off more as them taking a stance of being more knowledgable than me in this area we both supposedly inhabit.QUOTE (civilian_number_two @ Mar 31 2009, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I can't think of any of them who is pretentious about their hobbies. I mean, how cool can you claim to be while talking about Warhammer?
You might be surprised.
Music snobs and geeky-stuff snobs are annoying for the same reasons, I think; the geeks just grate particularly because (1) the stuff they're pretentious about is stuff I know about, so I don't have that genuine respect for someone who's an expert in a field I don't know, and (2) the saving grace of nerdy hobbies IS that they're so inherently uncool that you really shouldn't be even able to be snobby about them. (Though it's also tiresome when nerds have a lot shame and guilt about it.)
In Topic: Self-Proclaimed Nerds/Geeks
Posted 31 Mar 2009
I haven't noticed this with FotC and JoCo. I have noticed this a LOT with xkcd. (Before that, Homestar Runner. Before that, that "Ninjas are Totally Sweet" page.)
The problem, for me, isn't self-identification as nerds or geeks, which I think can be harmless, but assuming on no basis that nobody else could possibly have the same AWESOME cultural reference points as you do, because you're so AWESOME that only you know about AWESOME things and nobody else is AWESOME enough to appreciate anything AWESOME or TOTALLY SWEET. It's nice to stumble on something you like and to think of it as your own special find, but you can't assume that you're so unique, or so cutting-edge, that nobody else has done the same thing.
Look, I don't expect people to be mind-readers and to know what I have and haven't heard of already. And I don't have anything against people sharing the joy when they discover some new great thing. But there's a right and a wrong way to find out if someone has heard of something.
A quick guide:
"Do you read xkcd?" = ok
"Have you heard of the comic xkcd?" = borderline
"There' s this great comic, xkcd." = not ok
"xkcd.com" = YES I KNOW.
Overexplaining your references can come from a well-meaning place, but it feels like dumbing-down, and people don't like to be talked down to. It's alienating. (Don't get me started on the the knowing look to the friends, implying exclusion from a super-exclusive!!! !! group based on presumed ignorance of a widespread cultural touchstone. There the intent is obviously to alienate, but they're just inept at it. It's kind of funny actually.)
Generally, I'm in favor of just assuming that people understand your references. If they get them, either they'll feel like you're sharing a special joke, and that's the opposite of alienating; or they'll know what you're referring to so well it won't even ping them as a reference (you look like a real tool if you mark something as a super-obscure reference that doesn't even register with your audience as something someone could possibly not have heard of. Like people who hyperlink the phrase "jump the shark".) If your audience doesn't get your reference, they probably won't even notice it *was* a reference, so no harm done. If they really don't understand what you mean, and they want to, they can just ask, or, you know, everyone knows how to use google. (Have you heard of this great search engine?)
The problem, for me, isn't self-identification as nerds or geeks, which I think can be harmless, but assuming on no basis that nobody else could possibly have the same AWESOME cultural reference points as you do, because you're so AWESOME that only you know about AWESOME things and nobody else is AWESOME enough to appreciate anything AWESOME or TOTALLY SWEET. It's nice to stumble on something you like and to think of it as your own special find, but you can't assume that you're so unique, or so cutting-edge, that nobody else has done the same thing.
Look, I don't expect people to be mind-readers and to know what I have and haven't heard of already. And I don't have anything against people sharing the joy when they discover some new great thing. But there's a right and a wrong way to find out if someone has heard of something.
A quick guide:
"Do you read xkcd?" = ok
"Have you heard of the comic xkcd?" = borderline
"There' s this great comic, xkcd." = not ok
"xkcd.com" = YES I KNOW.
Overexplaining your references can come from a well-meaning place, but it feels like dumbing-down, and people don't like to be talked down to. It's alienating. (Don't get me started on the the knowing look to the friends, implying exclusion from a super-exclusive!!! !! group based on presumed ignorance of a widespread cultural touchstone. There the intent is obviously to alienate, but they're just inept at it. It's kind of funny actually.)
Generally, I'm in favor of just assuming that people understand your references. If they get them, either they'll feel like you're sharing a special joke, and that's the opposite of alienating; or they'll know what you're referring to so well it won't even ping them as a reference (you look like a real tool if you mark something as a super-obscure reference that doesn't even register with your audience as something someone could possibly not have heard of. Like people who hyperlink the phrase "jump the shark".) If your audience doesn't get your reference, they probably won't even notice it *was* a reference, so no harm done. If they really don't understand what you mean, and they want to, they can just ask, or, you know, everyone knows how to use google. (Have you heard of this great search engine?)
In Topic: 2 Bangs, 1 Buck and a Jack (or, Why I Hate That Guy In My Dream)
Posted 3 May 2008
Nate, your dream made me laugh.
Actually, what your dream self should have realized is that you could easily leave a buck $1 if a bang is $3 and a jack is 50 cents. That's less infuriating, but it would still be easier to say $7.50.
Actually, what your dream self should have realized is that you could easily leave a buck $1 if a bang is $3 and a jack is 50 cents. That's less infuriating, but it would still be easier to say $7.50.
In Topic: Laura's letter to Nabisco
Posted 13 Jan 2008
QUOTE (Officer B @ Jan 2 2008, 03:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello,
Did Nabisco or a triscuit representative ever get back to you about the "Not for Nibblers" exclusionary marketing strategy?
Thanks and good day,
Officer B
Did Nabisco or a triscuit representative ever get back to you about the "Not for Nibblers" exclusionary marketing strategy?
Thanks and good day,
Officer B
I don't remember. I may have gotten some coupons.
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