>> RANTS > FROM THE PEN OF THE MASTER GEEK

A Matter of Taste

I’ve noticed a trend lately, a trend of Geeks claiming that a show is either genius or it is crap, and then judging people who don’t feel the same as them. Truth be told, it has probably always been this way and I am just now noticing it. There has always been the rivalry between one camp or another, from the Star Wars vs Star Trek folks to the DC junkies against the Marvel zombies. However, it rarely got worse then Geeks claiming that Han Solo got more tail then Captain Kirk (which, as we all know, is clearly crap). However, it seems in recent years the rivalry has gotten somewhat personal. As if liking something that another person finds to be unwatchable makes you an idiot.

I blame Yahoo.

Okay, not really, but I do think some of the unpleasantness comes from various online forums and talk backs. It allows a person to anonymously blast other people for their tastes. It’s a lot easier to call someone a tasteless jag off when they only exist as Wampa_Lover_69. However, people seem to be taking this aggressive attitude into the real world as well. It can been seen everywhere. If you are so inclined, go to your local comic book shop and begin talking about your favorite character, artist, or writer and see what happens. The mere mention of Brian Michael Bendis will often create one of two answers: Total hack and his fans are friggen asses or literary genius and his fans are blessed. In case your are curious, I tend to think of him as hit and miss (like most writers, no one is perfect). But, I can all but guarantee that some folks reading this right now think me a fool for believing this way. To be honest, I’m not a whole lot better. I have my moments when I think fans of Voyager are mindless viewers easily impressed by computer effects. Hell, I’ve even gone so far as to call them traitors to real Trek.

That’s not right.

People like what they like. True, there are some things that are better then others, but unless you can point out what is wrong with it, then it is simply a matter of taste. I know folks who don’t enjoy The Lord of the Rings. However, none of them say the films are crap. Why? Well, anyone who is a student of film knows that is simply not true. That doesn’t mean that the films will be everyone’s mug of ale. In fact, most folks who don’t enjoy the films aren’t the biggest fan of the genre to begin with. That’s fine. I’m not the biggest fan of Oliver Stone films (and I know this will get me blasted), but I get why people are. I can study his films. I can understand and appreciate his work and talent that goes into his films. Stone’s style simply isn’t one that I can get into. That’s all. It’s the same way I can love old Spielberg films but no longer get excited for anything new he creates, (Schindlers List being the last Speilberg film I really enjoyed).

It’s too bad that I have allowed this attitude to effect films and shows that I have been told that I would enjoy. Maybe it is time I stop doing that. Maybe it is time that I watch each show and movie for myself regardless of who is involved before I judge it. Will some folks call me a Geeky sell out? Perhaps, but better to risk my street cred then miss out on some truly great storytelling.

Now... Anyone know where I can watch the new Battlestar Galactica in secret?