Neil Faulkner wrote:
Pretty much as I remember it (long time since I ordered the book from the local library). But I think he goes even further, pointing out that fans themselves defend themselves in the very same way, by referring to the really obsessive geeks that they don't want to be associated with.
Absolutely. I've been part of more than one conversation where a group of people who'd just spent an hour or two talking about computer hardware, RPGs, SF TV shows and Star Wars trivia then turned around and laughed at someone else for being "a geek" because they were into much the same things but took them (what was perceived as being) one step farther. And if I had a nickle for every time I've heard "Yeah, I'm a Star Trek fan, but it's not like I dress up and go to conventions!" Everybody likes to define themselves as "normal" by pointing to someone more "extreme" than themselves, I think.