Pop Culture Bigotry

By Robert “Rob Base” Greenwood

Look into the mirror, what do you see?
Are you a fanboy, geek, nerd, otaku, weeaboo, a social outcast?  Or are you just simply a fan?
Labels define who and what you are. I’m a New Yorker, a Brooklynite, a collector and a pop culture lover. Yet, if you ask me who I am I’ll just say I’m Rob.

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Labels help the huddled masses understand things they never could. You’re a slacker, a loser, fat, ugly, or, simple enough, you will never be accepted as one of the chosen. The elite group, handsome, beautiful, sexy, or in their eyes, important.

So, when conventions come around and I see sub-factions of the pop culture fight amongst each other, it saddens me. It shouldn’t be a popularity contest. In the end, you are a fan of Star Wars and the other is a fan of Naruto. She cosplays as She Hulk and that guy there reads Yaoi. We love comics and you are a video game junkie.

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It’s all in or all out. I don’t expect anyone to suddenly love things you normally wouldn’t, but just be cool  about what other people like. We band together as a sub-culture and here we are judging others who are (if you strip down the facade) the same.

It becomes clear that no matter how “different” we think we are, the minute you mock another fan base, you are no different than the people who mock you.

In this new year of 2014, we need to try and start a movement. To truly accept each other and all of our differences. Let’s make it a stellar year for pop culture.

I hope that at least a few who read this can truly look into themselves and make that change. Let’s be the bigger person.

Ok, I am going to get off the soap box and watch my wife play GTA 5 while I read Mouse Guard to my 2 year old daughter.

mouseguard-blackaxe3Follow me on Twitter @AltMindz

Geekenheim Opens Doors At NYCC

Geek art gallery, Geekenheim officially launched at this years New York Comic Con. A mixture of comic book fandom and high end design, GeekenheimRaygun strives to offer accessible gallery level art to geeks of all genres. From heroes you know to the subjects that you love, Geekenheim covers everything from anime to sci fi and beyond. Their New York Comic Con success was ensured with beautifully rendered body paint costumes on fashion models at the show. Photos of the costumes can be found at http://www.geekenheim.com/2012/10/nycc-2012/. Video footage of the body paint sessions can be found at http://www.geekenheim.com/2012/10/701/

Founder James Kenna explains their origin. “I wanted something nice for my living room and looked everywhere. Modern art is great but I wanted a mix of modern and fun. I wanted art with a hint of geek nostalgia. Couldn’t find it anywhere, so I created it! Our quality is above and beyond the standard print. Each piece is hand selected.  We select the best of the best so the end consumer doesn’t have to!”

The production process at Geekenheim completes the level of quality in their prints. Soy inks and a full gallery wrap opposed to the typical museum wrap. Each print is wrapped on thick 1.5″ wood frame, with protective, satin finish coating.

Visit www.geekenheim.com for more information.
Check out our blog at http://www.geekenheim.com/2012/10/nycc-2012/
Friend us on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/geekenheim?fref=ts

About Geekenheim:

Geekenheim is the online marketplace for the geek. Discover art and design products, connect with artists, and share your inspirations. If you are a geek artist, we would like to showcase and sell your artwork! Its your opportunity to reach a global audience without losing your creative rights.