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Hey, Answerman!

Now, see, if someone told me they "weren't that geeky" when compared to me, I'd take it as a compliment. Maybe I'm just contrary, but I actually take pride in being as geeky as possible.

I do collect DVDs, even though I watch everything on my computer (I don't even own a TV, just a TV tuner card). I like having the physical object and the box and such. I enjoy watching my shelves fill as I buy more.

As for interest in Japanese culture in general vs just anime, I find it hard to separate the two. Art is so bound up in the cultural matrix of its creation that to be interested in one inherently produces at least some interest in the other. That's how it works for me, anyway.

I love it when the political left goes cannibalistic.

I would rephrase the first question slightly: will physical media ever disappear, not totally, but as much as VCR tapes have today? There's an outside chance of that.

However, it irks me that we can't once, as a population, jump on something new as better, and completely discard the old methods overnight.

As for fan-produced media. . . they have that. It's called webcomics. Some are good. Again, the problem is that writing a manga or producing an anime falls under Edison's description of invention: 1% inspiration, 99% persperation. It ought to be the other way around. Here's hoping for better software in the future.

As for Japanese culture, I like the trappings, moreso than the structure. I like their near-obsession with modern things, their embracing of change for change's sake, the promiscuous dress of the girls (this one I like a lot). I've watched a dorama or two, read a non-anime novel now and again. I'm big into j-pop music, even though sometimes it's a bitch to pirate. I probably listen to 90% Japanese and 10% other languages.

With regard to the first question and answer, though, it's only a matter of time. While we here have all grown up with physical recordable media, a new generation has other options. This hit the music industry; it is now starting to hit the TV and film industries.

I'm in my early 30s and rent DVDs (anime and other) from Zip.ca, which in a sense is a hybrid of the old and the new, given I'm using an online interface to have physical DVDs delivered to me. The irony of it all points all the more clearly to the fact that it, like NetFlix, will need to start delivering content purely digitally in the future.

That will need a few more milestones, though. We still don't have the video equivalent of MP3 players and their accessories, i.e. an array of mainstream devices designed for viewing our digital media. The hardware needs to catch up with the software.

But the content providers also need to catch up with the software. Licensing is a long, hard slog that continues to bung up all sorts of legit downloading possibilities. iTunes may not have every song in history, but it certainly has most of the ones people are looking for, which has been one of the keys to its success. The same level of access needs to be established for shows and movies.

But once those types of things happen, the floodgates will be open. And while physical media won't disappear (musical CDs are still around, after all), it doesn't have to just because a new market arises.

the idea "i can do it better" is inherent in most hardcore fan bases on anything. Look at sports, talk to any big sports fan and they will tell you how his favorite team should be run. The whole fantasy sports and sports videogame market is based on that idea. It also comes down to the idea that some artists/fans seem to believe that a person doesn't have a "right" to criticize art, since they cannot do it themselves. With that mind set and undercurrent you can understand some people "validating" their criticism of Naruto filler episodes by making their own fan fiction or doujinshi that gets it "right." So i don't think the anime crowd is any different on this than most hardcore fan groups.

[quote="GATSU"]Andrew:

When I was in school I was made fun of before I liked anime, and after. It didn't really make a difference. People thought I was a nerd for liking anime, but they thought I was a nerd before anyway. I found a group of other anime nerds and we happily nerded it up and I didn't really care what other poeple thought. It took me a long time to get ot that point though, but i think the friends I met then through anime really helped.

I usually don't tell people that I'm an anime fan until I get to know them a little first though. If they seem like the type who aren't into it, then I woudnt bring it up except in passing or if they specifically asked me about my interests.

Anime may be a childish hobby, but I've made some great freinds through it, who share alot of my interests that have nothing to do with anime. I think the people who write it off as stupid and nerdy just don't understand why people like it, and likely never will.

For me personally, I feel like anime has turned into a greater interest in Japanese culture and language, and I'm learning alot of really fasinating things in school that I'm truly interested in. My goal in life isn't to become a great anime director or artist but an east asian historian. Exciting huh? But I found my love for East Asian history, literature and religion through an initial interest in anime that branched off further. I don't think I would have realised that interest without it, and I think I would have missed out. I think that there are likely others out there who have had similar experiences.

I enjoyed reading answerfan this week, it was really interesting, so I thought I'd throw in my two cents.

I used to be quiet about my interests, but when I got to college I figured nothing was going to come from hiding what I liked from those around me. Did I get mocked? Sure! But what's a few harsh words from a frat boy or two? They like what they like, I like what I like. I can (pretend to) be the bigger person and not let it effect me. I'll wear my Eureka Seven or Neuro shirts happily in public and do biographical art projects on Ishinomori, because that's what I like.

Now, I can pretend that I'm above the mockery and such, but in truth, some of it really does hurt. I don't really mind being made fun of for "watching cartoons and reading comics," but when people mock the actual forms of media I get pretty upset. I guess it's a "don't knock is before you try it" thing.

The most painful part of being an anime fan is, for me at least, being written off for my interests. I am the president of a large popular anime club and am proud to be so, but it KILLS me when I go to meetings for all college club officers and people write me off because anime isn't really a "college activity" or is "too childish." Classmates will see me doing club paperwork and ask me what I'm doing, but when I say "anime club paperwork," they say, "oh, really" and leave. As if the paperwork for any other club is more interesting?

I think many people have just grown up learning that we anime fans should be on the edges of society. Many people I have met have been taught that anime is something that should be mocked and don't understand what I suggest they watch a series before passing judgement.

tl;dr, sorry guys.

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Forum - View topicHey, Answerman!

Forum - View topic
Hey, Answerman!