I love that you posted this. I've been saying for decades now that it's totally possible to be a "geek" or "nerd" about anything. People just think that it has to do with scifi or fantasy, but I've met people who are WAY bigger nerds about things like football or fishing or cars (that don't transform) and spend WAY more money than I do on those things. I'm glad I'm growing up in a time when these preconceived notions are melting away. Nowadays even my family and coworkers know about my transformers instagram and no one pokes fun or tells me to "grow up" or any of that bullshit.

I'm so gonna use this phrase. Thanks!

 

AND REMEMBER

YOU DONT STOP PLAYING BECAUSE YOU GROW OLD

Y O U G R O W O L D B E C A U S E Y O U S T O P P L A Y I N G


PALM

IN

YOUR

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE

 

FTFY

 

Oh right I forgot you're a stereotype.

 

Mary....

 

?

 

I once asked if you were a nerd stereotype and you said yes.

 

I wouldn't use evolution to argue those points. It's simply societal pressure to act a certain way depending on your gender identity. I am a gender abolitionist so I argue that we would be more fulfilled if we could pursue any interest without stereotypes to pressure us.

 

Says the guy who is all about "cancel culture."  

 

Lmao you got me

 

Even if you’d argue that gender identities supposedly dictated by societal pressures and the oppressive patriarchy stem from a difference present in the biology of males and females from when roles in nature were far more instinctive?

I’m an internet contrarian so I know what I’m talking about.  

I’m also quite sure society has never pressured grown men to obsess over toys so who knows what the hell we’ve all been influenced by.

 

I knew it was a matter of time before gender politics made it into tfw forums... smh

 

Live and let live people! (unless it's an opinion about a toy that's different than my opinion in which case YOU MUST DIE)

 

For me personally, I don't think I'll ever grow out of toys. They're not just pieces of plastic. There's really something magical about having something you love be physically present right there next to you.

Not to mention, they have supported me throughout some of the darkest points in my life. Like when I was suffering from severe anxiety and depression due to the combination of stress from work, finishing up a post-graduate degree and receiving a rather serious health diagnosis (don't worry, I'm fine for the near future) a couple of years ago, I was only able to find the will to carry on because I was looking forward to Masterpiece Dinobot's release. While I've gotten past that period, toys still remain a huge reason as to why continue to strive to do my best everyday. I want to be around for as long as possible to experience and own as many toys as possible. Sorry if it got too real there. (^.^')

 

I'm sure there are some gender roles that are closely linked to evolution, but none of the things you mentioned in the initial post are. You can see evidence of social influence for men to like sports by the super machismo messaging they do for American Football for example. Or when you are a child and all your relatives buy you certain toys that reflect gender roles. I can imagine the reason why men are more likely to enjoy Transformers is because of the vehicle and war components that are stereotypically manly things.

When I was a child, I remember playing with girls toys at my cousin's house but kinda feeling weird about it because they weren't "supposed" to be for me. That isn't some sort of evolutionary holdover. That's more so me being worried about being teased by my peers, which is a social pressure.

But hey, as Shmoptimus Prime says, live and let live!

At least we're being civil about it haha

 

This. I remember getting into an argument with a Canadian coworker over this. Is your Cam Ward Jersey REALLY all that different than my masterpiece soundwave?

 

brb, doing a feminist reading of the "enemy scrotum" scene

 

No arguments here. I find the discussion rather interesting and just like hearing all responses. Devil’s advocate is my favourite role to play- and in the Devil Saviour thread no less.
You could spend hours stripping back stereotypes and tracing gender roles to their origins and analysing why people are the way they are and make certain choices but this is probably not the appropriate forum to inflict such a topic upon the members.

So, back to SS Vs DS and ‘THE WHEELS ARE TOOO SMALL!!!’

 

It's kinda funny this topic came up. I've always been made to feel ashamed of my gaming / toys addiction (usually by my dad obviously, to grow into a real man)... but then I see sports fans wearing their idol's jerseys and face all painted up... then around look at cosplayers and like, are you fucking kidding me? what's the diff? Oh because we somehow associate sports (aka modern gladiator combat) with "manliness" it's fine to dress up like a fanboi to those but spending time looking at our toys and actually participating in fantasies (you know, games where you need to make morality choices and plan/read/think) instead of screaming a team's name in front of the TV getting drunk....

I'll be a <insert simpsons mcbane voice> girlyman any day instead of a jock.

/rant off

Now there /is/ a bit of a happy ending, my dad has actually grown to accept I like toys but also I'm a responsible grown men.

heheheh how well I can lie and pretend to be mature surprises me sometimes too heheeheheheheh

 

Did you know:
It's possible to respect sports fans, even if you're not interested in athletics?