On Liking Stuff Just Because It's Not Mainstream

We all know somebody like this, right? Or maybe you ARE the person like this? Someone who likes things more, or even specifically BECAUSE they're not well known, they're not mainstream.

If you're reading this, you're probably a geek. The clue is kind of in the blog's name. Geeks are especially prone to this particular attitude.

It can make it seem like you're doing it just to be different, and maybe there's some truth to that. But you know what? It's okay. It's as valid a reason to like something as any other. If you'd rather listen to J-Pop and Arabic dance music, if you'd rather watch some indie film than the latest summer blockbuster, that's fine. It's can be nice, that feeling, as if there's a big secret, and you're one of the few people in on it. It's great when you share some band or book and someone likes it, but it's even better when it's something obscure, because you get the feeling they'd never have found it otherwise.

Obscure crossovers are the best.

The communities and fandoms that spring up around such things can be great too. If you take a look at the upper end of this, the things that have large followings, but are still something the mainstream never really clicked with, you have things like Community, and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Both shows with great fandoms, with friendly creative people. But there's also something to be said for those fandoms that might consist of seventeen people on a forum. There's a certain "we have to stick together" vibe that these sorts of groups have that can make it a great community.

It's okay to not like things as much because they're mainstream too. Now, don't go denying yourself something you like just because it's mainstream, and don't go hating something you've never experienced for yourself just because you want to be contrary. Give things a fair chance at least. But there's definitely some merit to the argument that overexposure can make you dislike something, and if you're of a certain mindset, the feeling that you're being pushed to like something can make you resent it all the more.

So yeah, it's cool to be different. In this day and age, where so much media is available at the click of a button, where the smallest niche group can find a place for itself through the magic of a worldwide community with a network of instant communication, in such an environment you SHOULD be exploring those niches. Why settle for just the things that are flashing in our faces and being sold to us in every possible way the producers of it know? Don't get me wrong, like that if you want, there's plenty of mass media that I love. But search out those niches, look for those things with tiny audiences. If you keep looking, you may find something that just really gels with your tastes.

Mass media is great sometimes. But the thing about mass media is it has to sell to the masses. This means that most of the time, the extremes are shaved off, until it's rounded with no sharp edges. It has to appeal to everyone without alienating them. This means that some of those things you really love, but most people don't? They probably don't make it in. It's either that, or a product is so hyped and oversold, that people start to like it because they're told they should. Now if it's designed to appeal to the majority, everyone will probably fall into that majority at some point. But the thing about those little specific pieces of work that aren't made for mass consumption? They can cover ground mass market stuff would never touch, and you might just find something in there that speaks to you and connects with you on a deep level. Or you may just get a kick out of songs about Mr. Potato Head and erotic zombie fiction. Both ways work.

But as much as I'm saying it's not only okay, but actually a good thing to take this attitude, there is a dark side to this attitude, and it's something I really wish we could see the end of. It's that sneering attitude that crops up in a few types of situation. It's when the masses actually take notice of something we thought was cool, or when someone really does genuinely like something you consider to be artificially popular tripe. It's that snide attitude of "I liked it first, so I'm better than you" or "You like THAT? Well that's fine I guess, if you've got no taste..." or the ever charming "that's not for you, it's not for the mainstream, you wouldn't understand it". This attitude is just destructive. I understand the slightly defensive or alarmed feeling that can happen when something that was a niche suddenly takes off into the public consciousness. I saw it happen when casual gaming suddenly became a huge part of my beloved video-game hobby.

Yes, it really happened. It was even an unlockable costume
in a couple of the old video-games!

But you have options; you can embrace it, and welcome the newcomers. Instead of sneering that someone only likes Spider-Man because of the new movie, you can tell them what else is cool about him, and offer to show them the time he had to wear a paper bag on his head because he lost his mask, or explain to them why you loved the old costume with the webbed armpits. If you really can't bring yourself to do this, you can carry on liking it, but just keep quiet about it, smile and nod. Or you can even leave it behind, and find something else to like. Just don't start with the hate, or the sneering condescending patronising attitudes. Be nice. And, in ten years time, you can tell people you were reading my blog before it was cool.