I can, obviously, only speak for myself. I say that I tend to view some of the forms of geekdom you mentioned, not with mockery, but with concern, and that concern is based on my own experience.
For me, fiction is a pretty powerful and sometimes dangerous substance. Throughout my life I've tended to use it as a way of escaping from my problems rather than confronting them. (And conversely, the times that I am happiest with my life are the times when I have the least desire to read, watch tv, or imagine.) This is a tendency that I've recognized and am trying to control, but it's difficult. For me, being present in my life (in the Buddhist sense, or at least the way Americans discuss Buddhism) is very important and fiction is the opposite of that.
Now, I realize that like alcohol and pot, it's possible to enjoy fiction responsibly. But that's difficult for me, and from conversations I've had with some friends I know that I'm not the only person alive who uses fiction to escape. So when I see people devote enormous time and energy to such pursuits, it's hard for me to view it with unqualified enthusiasm.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2005-01-24 03:29 pm (UTC)For me, fiction is a pretty powerful and sometimes dangerous substance. Throughout my life I've tended to use it as a way of escaping from my problems rather than confronting them. (And conversely, the times that I am happiest with my life are the times when I have the least desire to read, watch tv, or imagine.) This is a tendency that I've recognized and am trying to control, but it's difficult. For me, being present in my life (in the Buddhist sense, or at least the way Americans discuss Buddhism) is very important and fiction is the opposite of that.
Now, I realize that like alcohol and pot, it's possible to enjoy fiction responsibly. But that's difficult for me, and from conversations I've had with some friends I know that I'm not the only person alive who uses fiction to escape. So when I see people devote enormous time and energy to such pursuits, it's hard for me to view it with unqualified enthusiasm.