Microsoft Patent Deems Comic Books Shameful

theodp writes "A newly-surfaced Microsoft patent application describes methods of secretly matching up individuals whose shared 'fringe interests' might be 'a source of shame or embarrassment' to them should they become known to society-at-large. No, not sexual preferences. A much bigger taboo. Comic books. 'For example,' explains Microsoft in its filing, 'an ambitious professional is not likely to divulge that he likes, say, comic books, even though quite true. Appreciably, certain affinities especially those relating to fringe interests, eccentricities, or topics about which there is a common misconception or very little mainstream familiarity or understanding are generally omitted rather than included in conventional descriptions. Typically, this is so because these affinities might be a source of shame or embarrassment or incur undue explanation.'"

Comments

People associate it wrongly

[devxo]

Well, are you sure would really want to tell right away to some girl you meet that you read comic books or watch anime? Things like can make people think about you wrongly. And for example, when I'm visiting Thailand I like the ladyboys there, but it's not something I'd say to anyone when I first meet them.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Drakkenmensch]

Just because you don't mention something you like right off the bat doesn't make it shameful. I hardly ever talk of my love of whole grain pepper, but that doesn't make it a dirty secret. Comics are a mainstream interest now, with multi-million dollar movies in the spotlight. Comics are not an under-the-counter phenomenon.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Anonymous Coward]

If someone judges me without first meeting me then I would rather not be associated with them.
Sadly, too many people judge themselves by what others think of them.
Don't be ashamed or embarrassed, grow some thick skin and enjoy life.
You only live once!

Re:People associate it wrongly

[swordgeek]

"I hardly ever talk of my love of whole grain pepper, but that doesn't make it a dirty secret. "

Yeah sure, keep justifying your perversions to make yourself feel better. Sicko!

Re:People associate it wrongly

[boristdog]

Comics may be a mainstream interest now, but if one of the first things I find out about someone is that they are really into comic books, my first reaction is still: "Hopeless Nerd!"

Then again, if the first thing I find out about them is that they are really into football, I think "Brainless Sports-a-holic!" Even though football is WAY more mainstream than comic books.

It's human nature.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Ephemeriis]

Well, are you sure would really want to tell right away to some girl you meet that you read comic books or watch anime? Things like can make people think about you wrongly. And for example, when I'm visiting Thailand I like the ladyboys there, but it's not something I'd say to anyone when I first meet them.

Depends on context.

I'm not going to walk into a job interview and start telling them how much I love Minecraft and Dwarf Fortress, but that doesn't make it a dirty secret.

If I meet some random person on the street I'm not going to start talking about how much I love the ease of provisioning a new VM in our new cluster, but that doesn't make it a dirty secret.

And if I met some girl that I was attracted to (as you seem to be suggesting, rather than just some random acquaintance who happens to be female), I most certainly would tell them that I read comic books and watch anime.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[geekoid]

Thus showing exactly why I tell people I like comic books: I don't need short sight knee jerk reactionary bozos like you in my life.

IT's not human nature. It's social training and the inability to actually think.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Seumas]

Geeks have a very misconceived perception of how the world views them. It has always been common on Slashdot (and elsewhere, in more recent years) to convince each other that geek is hip and geeks are the new hotness and that everyone loves a geek. The truth is, the world doesn't.

I know plenty of people who think of videogames as something that entertained them in their youth, but now that they're adults, it's not relevant. I've even come across plenty of teenagers while playing with my buddies in online games (Call of Duty, for example), who don't understand why guys in their late 20s or even 30s would be playing videogames. I've even read forum discussions asking the question of how long people will play videogames or when it's time to stop playing (and these discussions are ON game sites, mind you!) and a common response from young people is that they'll probably stop when they're around 20 or 30. Sometimes maybe 40. If teenagers think playing games into adulthood is ridiculous, how do you think other adults (and especially older adults) think of you?

I once wryly reacted to myself doing or saying something kind of shamefully geeky by snickering and saying "god damn, I'm such a geek". In front of a girl I'd been with for awhile. Her response? She very quickly showed great concern and assured me that I wasn't a geek and I shouldn't say that about myself. In her mind, a "geek" was an insult. A derision. I guarantee she's not alone. Hell, you even see it on a regular basis in modern media, when someone is referred to as a "geek" or a "nerd" in a very derogatory way.

So yeah, there are a LOT of things out there that you may not be ashamed of, but that you wouldn't want publicly associated with yourself. It's one of the problems many people had with Blizzard's attempt to force everyone to use their real full names in the forums (sorry, but my full name is a private thing which I do care to guard, if at all possible - thanks Blizzard!). It's the problem a lot of people have with the idea of some enforced internet-wide identity requirement. There is value in anonymity.

I enjoy videogames. I would absolutely not want friends, future girlfriends, family of future friends or girlfriends, employers, government agents, or others to be looking up information on me and find a ton of videogame related stuff associated with my name. Not because I'm ashamed of being interested in videogames, but because I know that all of those people would unfairly judge me for it. That because I play videogames a few hours a month, I might not be able to get a security clearance, because someone sees videogames as something only an untrustworthy addictive personality would engage in. Or that a future girlfriend might see it as a sign of permanent immaturity. Or that an employer might see it as a potential problem of some sort.

It's the same reason people often don't want their lack of religious belief to be public. Again, not ashamed of it, but being an atheist is not exactly something you want to risk being known about you when the chances are strong a future employer or manager is a devout religious person and holds strong prejudices against you based solely on that (you know, prejudices like our former president had when he said that he doesn't believe atheists can be patriots and maybe shouldn't even be citizens).

Of course, the number of devious ways this could be utilized are nearly endless.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Hatta]

Depends on if you're looking to score or if you're looking for a keeper.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[postbigbang]

I think that life is prior art.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[HungryHobo]

" Dwarf Fortress"

*hits the panic button*
"Security, we've got another one"

Re:People associate it wrongly

[vapspwi]

I have a giant comic collection going back over 30 years, and I've missed about 5 football games total (home and away) for my alma mater in the last 14 years or so. What does that make me?

JRjr

Re:People associate it wrongly

[pushing-robot]

It's perfectly natural, since football and comic books are symbols of the two incompatible phenotypes of human males: "Strong Jock", and "Intelligent Nerd".

Of course, there is a theory which states if a single man could love both football and comic books he would become an Übermensch.
And there is another theory which states this has already happened.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[pitje]

wow
Am I glad not to live in the society you live in.
Or be as concerned as you are about how other people view me.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[vadim_t]

Which is why these days I pretty much introduce myself with "Hi, I'm $name, I'm weird. Here's a bunch of geeky stuff to prove it".

Some people get weirded out, which is exactly the intention. It stops things early and removes the need to worry later. Life's short, I don't need to spend a part worrying about this nonsense.

She very quickly showed great concern and assured me that I wasn't a geek and I shouldn't say that about myself. In her mind, a "geek" was an insult.

Yep, ran into somebody with that kind of opinion. We don't talk anymore. No regrets about that.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[CannonballHead]

The obvious answer would be "single." ;)

Really, though, if that's the first thing people find out about you; i.e., you're that ... enthusiastic about it (or, one might say, obsessed), it can be a bit weird.

ultimately though ... I don't really care. I'm enthusiastic about things I like, too, but usually don't bring them up right away ... mainly because I figure the other person probably doesn't care that much :P :)

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Anonymous Coward]

IT's not human nature. It's social training and the inability to actually think.

More like social brainwashing, and those subject to it like it.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[wickedskaman]

Did you grow up on a pepper farm? Do you find yourself remarking at Denny's, "This is some stale ass pepper!"?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Patch86]

Does the panic button flood the chamber with magma?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[GooberToo]

Thus showing exactly why I tell people I like comic books: I don't need short sight knee jerk reactionary bozos like you in my life.

So you're saying your personality can't otherwise compensate for what may be a cushioned negative reaction once someone gets to know you.

IT's not human nature. It's social training and the inability to actually think.

It is human nature. There is practically endless studies validating this point exactly. The old cliche, you only get one chance to make a first impression, has been endlessly validated. Your position on the matter is factually incorrect and should hopefully give you pause as to the origin of such incorrect "self discovery."

Like it or not, within seconds of meeting someone for the first time, consciously and unconsciously you have read the book by its cover. Period. Now then, what you do with that summation will differ from person to person but nonetheless, it absolutely is human nature.

You see someone with a asymmetrical facial feature, subtract points based on the degree of asymmetry. They don't have perfectly groomed hair? Subtract again. Wear glasses? Subtract again. Bald? Subtract. Teeth? Subtract again. Now the cultural norm will dictate the severity of subtraction (example, teeth in UK vs USA) but nonetheless, its programmed into the DNA of humanity. And as physical characteristics play a major role in this analysis, so does behavior. Someone with a reputation for state sanctioned executions is far less approachable than someone who is a well established lover.

So honestly, until societal norms change, if in fact they ever do in this regard, its by far to your own advantage to not discuss things like comic books and D&D to people you just met. If in fact you develop a friendship, its far less likely that such disclosure later will have any impact on the relationship other than perhaps some friendly jabs.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[GooberToo]

You're using a computer so chances are, you ARE living in that world. The fact you don't realize it is kind of tragic.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Antisyzygy]

It takes bravery to say that even in a forum. Surprisingly no-one has insulted you for it.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[boristdog]

Knee-Jerk?

Tell me, if someone you first meet lets you know how important Jesus is in their life, does your mind not form a "knee-jerk" reaction about that person?
If they tell you how important Britney Spears is in their life? Or Rush Limbaugh? Or the Dalai Lama?
If they tell you how they are "really into" heavy metal? Or hip-hop? Or gambling?
How about someone whom, upon first meeting them, tells you how much they like women with large breasts? Or leather jackets?

All of these are actually pretty common things, but all will pretty much form an image about that person in your head. (Often just: "Sure, but why the HELL are they putting that in their profile?")

Guess what bozo, you have the same knee-jerk reactions to things other people do. Just because you don't have it for comic books doesn't mean you aren't a (knee) jerk like the rest of the human race about things YOU may not be into.

Unless you are an alien robot, in which case I heartily welcome you to my planet.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Unkyjar]

Busy?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[digitig]

I've met some very cute girls at conventions. It was more a case of telling them which comic books I read and which anime I watch. Mind you, I wasn't trying to pull. Had I been trying to pull in a context like that I'd probably have to claim to write or illustrate the comic books.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[digitig]

I'm an unashamed comics and anime geek (geek in general tbh) - and it's one of the first things I would divulge to a potential ladyfriend

Well, better that than they find out I work with computers...

Re:People associate it wrongly

[UnknownSoldier]

> Well, are you sure would really want to tell right away to some girl you meet that you read comic books or watch anime? Things like can make people think about you wrongly.

If at the local japanese manga store, yes. If not, that really depends on where we meet.

If people are that shallow to judge you based on your honesty and hobbies, they can fuck off. This tactic weeds out all the immature relationships.

I want authentic relationships - "pretending" to hide my interests because someone doesn't understand what a geek is / does is immature of them.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[N1AK]

I don't need short sight knee jerk reactionary bozos like you in my life.

Apparently because you've got more than an equal quota all by yourself.

People make assumptions. You can let that negatively affect you, or you can accept it and be more effective. You can pick whichever option you want, I know I will. I made the mistake of including a 'geeky' hobby on a cv, it stayed there until an interviewee was concerned that I might not be able to handle working in a tough enviroment (one that was certainly easier than the one I had been working in before). He made a wrong assumption, based on incorrect world view. That doesn't make him a bad person, it just shows that he, like everyone else isn't perfect.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Fujisawa Sensei]

If your trying to pick one up here it would defiantly be to your advantage. Just please leave the game books in your car, having VtM books in your pants makes you look like a dork even by church goer standards.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Belial6]

You mean so that you can make a knee jerk reaction to people who make knee jerk reactions?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[cheekyjohnson]

my first reaction is still: "Hopeless Nerd!"

Really? My first reaction would be, "okay."

It's human nature.

Speak for yourself.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Belial6]

So, your going to judge me and not want to be associated with me without even meeting me?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Drakkenmensch]

That's an absurd question. As if I'd ever eat at Denny's!

Re:People associate it wrongly

[cheekyjohnson]

It is human nature. There is practically endless studies validating this point exactly. The old cliche, you only get one chance to make a first impression, has been endlessly validated.

This may apply to a majority of the population, but it does not apply to everyone. There may be immense amounts of social conditioning in society, but not everyone is so easily influenced by it.

Like it or not, within seconds of meeting someone for the first time, consciously and unconsciously you have read the book by its cover. Period.

Except if that didn't happen.

So honestly, until societal norms change, if in fact they ever do in this regard, its by far to your own advantage to not discuss things like comic books and D&D to people you just met.

It's not to your advantage if you wish for such people to not be a part of your life.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[cheekyjohnson]

Guess what bozo, you have the same knee-jerk reactions to things other people do.

What was the point of the series of questions if you were just going to fill in the answers for him?

Unless you are an alien robot

Or someone who investigates deeper before reaching such idiotic and hasty conclusions.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[trollertron3000]

Yeah I'm real sure you don't judge anyone anywhere. What are you a fucking robot? Delusional thoughts from fantasy island.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Belial6]

There is part of the confusion. Many of the women that would avoid you for being a geek are not doing it because they don't understand what you are. They are avoiding you because they DO understand what you are. This doesn't suggest that you change your way of dealing with them though.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[gestalt_n_pepper]

I too must confess that my enjoyment of Mexican tarragon in chicken soup is rarely discussed. Will Microsoft attempt to blackmail me with this sizzling secret?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Unkyjar]

I made the mistake of including a 'geeky' hobby on a cv,

You include your hobbies on your CV? Personally that's a mistake no matter what the hobby is.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[gestalt_n_pepper]

You know how to easily provision a VM? Blasphemy! (And can you give me any hints?)

Re:People associate it wrongly

[pugugly]

Whole grain paper in a brown pepper bag?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[geekoid]

"So you're saying your personality can't otherwise compensate for what may be a cushioned negative reaction once someone gets to know you."

What? I am saying if you are the type of person to react negatively about someone simply because they like comic books, then you are not worth my time.

"There is practically endless studies validating this point exactly"
no, there is not.

"Your position on the matter is factually incorrect "
No, it is factually correct.

" within seconds of meeting someone for the first time"
ah, I see. You don't actually know what I was referring to.

I am referring to the judgement: "Hopeless Nerd!"
Yeah, people make A judgement immediately*. That wasn't my point. The judgement they came to was my point.

It's social training that the reaction is "Hopeless Nerd!". Anyone who thinks some how reads comic books is hopeless isn't worth my time.

"You see someone with a asymmetrical facial feature, subtract points based on the degree of asymmetry. They don't have perfectly groomed hair? Subtract again. Wear glasses? Subtract again. Bald? Subtract. Teeth? Subtract again. "
A) Speak for your self, I don't see anything I would 'subtract' point from i that list.
B) My point it society dictates that you subtract points. If that wasn't the case, then ANYTHING outside the norm would be a 'subtraction'. And I don't see strippers with average boobs making tons of money next to strippers with abnormally large boobs. I don't see unusually 'hot' people being scorned for being different. I suspect if you went to a porn casting agency there isn't a sign that says "Only average women need apply" What is attractive has to do with society.

"If in fact you develop a friendship, its far less likely that such disclosure later will have any impact on the relationship other than perhaps some friendly jabs."

Why do you think I want to be friends with those people? I don't and that was pretty well stated in my post.

My time of existence is very, very limited. There are far more people who will think 'cool' when they hear my interested then there is possible time to know them all.
Based on those parameters, it makes no sense for me to be around people I can't admit who I am to until we become friends. If you are starting a friendship by hiding who you are, then why the hell even have the friendship?

Stop excusing your prejudices.

*Although it's a lot more complecated and not nearly as cut and dry as you seem to think.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Daniel Dvorkin]

I don't need short sight knee jerk reactionary bozos like you in my life.

This.

Protecting professional interests is one thing; almost everyone has to disguise themselves a little bit for work. If you're lucky, you don't have to disguise yourself very much; e.g., after years in the military and industry, I'm very happy to be in academia now, where I can be more myself on the job than I ever could before. But we all have things we don't talk to our coworkers about, unless they happen to also be genuine friends.

But socially? If you can't handle my nerdiness, then to hell with you. I've got good friends, a loving fiancee, and a kid who's being aggressively recruited on purely academic grounds by some of the most prestigious colleges in the country. I'm always happy to meet new people, but the world is big enough that I've managed to surround myself with plenty of good ones already. No time for prejudiced morons.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Gaygirlie]

Well, are you sure would really want to tell right away to some girl you meet that you read comic books or watch anime? Things like can make people think about you wrongly. And for example, when I'm visiting Thailand I like the ladyboys there, but it's not something I'd say to anyone when I first meet them.

That is something I don't quite understand. I atleast always tell openly about my own interests and hobbies and am interested in hearing the other person's ones, too. If they really dislike my hobbies then it simply means we are not compatible and it's better that it comes out in the beginning already. I'd hate to find out later on that they actually dislike my hobbies.

If they don't personally have interest in my hobbies but they don't bother them either then all's good. And if we happen to share those interests then all the better. Simple.

As for comics being shameful: pssh. I don't really have interest in regular comics per se but I am a manga-buff myself, and I sure as hell wouldn't have any issues whatsoever if a possible candidate liked regular comics; it's their prerogative and doesn't really say anything meaningful about their personalities whatsoever.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[geekoid]

He is reply to this:
"ou have read the book by its cover. Period."

read, not judged.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[spire3661]

You'll never get metal legs, Samantha is fucking Alex......

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Gaygirlie]

Not because I'm ashamed of being interested in videogames, but because I know that all of those people would unfairly judge me for it.

That's one way to see it. I personally don't even try to hide that I enjoy videogames, if people judge me negatively because of that it is totally their own issue and doesn't affect me.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[pympdaddyc]

I'm married, my spouse is smart and and hot, and our first date was spent talking about Civ III vs Civ IV and different strategies we've tried. In the early days of the relationship we'd have Sci-fi Friday date nights. We've been together more than five years at this point, our biggest issues are things like rolling our eyes when we catch each other watching guilty pleasures Batman Beyond or Smallville... which is then changed to mutually acceptable shows like Firefly or Battlestar.

Did you ever think maybe, just maybe, there are so many divorced and unhappy couples because all of the pretense and hiding of who you are and what your interests are bites you in the ass? Do you think maybe you'd be happier with someone who is actually intrigued, understanding, or maybe even shares some of your interests that make you different from the other random people s/he could be on a date with?

I understand that there are some things you don't bring out on the first date because there's no establishment of trust yet and there's so little information to go on that little pieces of data might disproportionally color their impression of you. But come on, there are so many movies and adult-targeted tv shows based off of comic books, video gaming has gone so mainstream that you'd think one of the world's biggest problems was the advent of casual gaming, sci-fi and fantasy in general has become something relatively common place in prime time entertainment. Grow a pair and be yourself and find someone who will actually like that about you!

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Daniel Dvorkin]

One of the things that makes interesting people interesting is that there are lots of things that are important in their lives, and you find out about these things through extended conversation. The stereotypical "Jesus is everything to me" true believers and "Britney Spears' music changed my life" uberfans are monomaniacs, and monomania is boring. It also tends to reveal itself very quickly, since you can't exchange more than a few words with such people without hearing about their particular obsesssion. OTOH, if religion or music comes up as part of the natural flow of conversation, then it's usually worth a listen even if what the other person is talking about isn't your particular thing. Smart people recognize this, and may have knee-jerk reactions to fanaticism -- because the only appropriate reaction to fanaticism is pretty knee-jerk: "Get the hell away from me!" -- but not to any particular interest or subject in and of itself, as long as the person talking about it is thoughtful and polite.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[19thNervousBreakdown]

For shame. $name is not a string literal, '$name' is. $name is a variable. One nerd demerit.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[fishbowl]

Yes, once you realize you don't care what anyone else thinks is the moment when you start winning.
I see constant reminders that there are people whose behavior is based on the opinions of others, and I don't even think I live in the same world as them. I don't even understand where the motivation comes from to live that way.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[UnknownSoldier]

Their loss.

Plenty of fish in the sea.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[geekoid]

There is nothing in your example that would make me judge a person on those staements alone.

IN each one there is obvious conclusions.

The have a bible, Britney spears songs, and so on.

No, I don't. At no point have I thought negatively about any people who would not hide anything you mentioned.

I sure as hell wouldn't judge them as 'Hopeless' anything. There ACTIONS would be what I made judgements on.

Example:

"If they tell you how important Britney Spears is in their life?"
Interesting.
If they then follow up with:
"And I know she loves me and if I just break into her house and talk to her, I know everything will be great! Too bad I have to wait 7 days for a gun."
Now I'm judging. Either they are sarcastic and funny, or out of touch. BUT it is based on an action, or an intent to do an action.

I neither have knee jerk reaction, nor am an alien. Not that I don't want to visit your planet.

I have taught my self not to have them.

I have also spent the last 10 years recognizing and slaughtering my sacred cows.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[19thNervousBreakdown]

I'm giving him/her the benefit of the doubt and assuming it's talking about regular-ass trannies and not the sex trade since the latter is not only gross but an abomination (no I don't mean in the biblical sense, I mean in the "they enslave children and force them to have sex with tourists who are there to sate their most twisted and lascivious appetites in a place far enough away that they feel safe thinking their consciences will never hear about it" sense), but even so I see no situation where a conversation on that subject would be profitable for either of us.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[seebs]

Human nature is not necessarily universal among humans. In particular, some autism spectrum people seem to have a much lower tendency, if any, to judge people either initially or at all. I honestly can't tell you whether I judge people. People who know me inform me that I don't, but since I can't comprehend the descriptions people give of what "judging people" is, I really don't know. It seems to be some kind of... uhm. Thing. Where people stop reacting to an actual stimulus and instead to a pattern of stimuli they think is likely. That, uhm. That seems dumb.

But I know people do this sometimes, so I go out of my way in some cases to carefully present things that tend to trigger it. (e.g., I carefully refer to "my spouse" and avoid using gendered pronouns for that most excellent person, because this tends to drive away a class of people I don't enjoy interacting with.)

Re:People associate it wrongly

[metacell]

It may be "socially conditioned" of me, but whenever I see an argument like this, I think "hopeless nerds!" :-P

Re:People associate it wrongly

[ElectricTurtle]

I've never hid my interests from girls I've dated. That's completely counterproductive and is likely to lead to a bad relationship later. (For the record, my wife likes anime more than I do, and that was never a secret either.)

As for socially embarrassing paraphilias, that's why there is already code for that sort of thing. I will not say straight up to people (other than extremely close friends) "I like ladyboys!" However, even with people I don't know all that well I might drop a reference to, say, "futanari" or "kathooeys" and if they get it, awesome, and if they don't, chances are you can just laugh it off as unimportant. It's really quite rare to find somebody who both knows what those are AND is a total jerk bigot.

Ultimately though if somebody is so closed-minded that such things bother them, I don't want to associate with them anyway. I'm not ashamed about being bi, or the things I like, I just don't want to make things awkward for other people. When the shit hits the fan, I am entirely ready to stand and be counted and face bigotry with unwavering pride, but it's not important for me to go around all the time like some LGBT warrior attacking everybody for the slightest insensitivity. That's not going to help society become more tolerant.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[morari]

[...] when I'm visiting Thailand I like the ladyboys there [...]

Yes, please! :)

Re:People associate it wrongly

[ElectricTurtle]

I know of companies that would hire BECAUSE of somebody's SCA membership (Penny Arcade, WOTC, etc.). Why do people try to fit in opposed molds? Find the place that wants you, and work at getting in there.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[trollertron3000]

Thank God my useless knowledge doesn't go to waste. What's high score mean? Did I break it?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[cheekyjohnson]

And, even if I did, would that warrant someone making such an absolute generalization? I never mentioned myself.

Yeah I'm real sure you don't judge anyone anywhere.

I try to find out more about the person before classifying them (which is what we are speaking of).

Re:People associate it wrongly

[bkaul01]

Teeth? Subtract again.

I happen to rather like people with teeth, myself.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Unkyjar]

I see, you're one of those self-hating geeks.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[vadim_t]

I do intend to mean a variable. It's perfectly normal to do something like this in say, Perl, even if the variable won't change during execution.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[shawb]

Unfortunately, prospective employers tend to judge you before they meet you. It's kind of their job.

Even though Microsoft used comic books as an example, finding another comic book geek isn't going to be the use of this method... it's going to be used to find someone with a compatible sexual fetish. That information definitely does not need to be available to employers, coworkers, family, etc unless you choose to make it so.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[19thNervousBreakdown]

what

Re:People associate it wrongly

[vadim_t]

What do you mean "what"?

my $name = "Fred";
 
print "Hi, I'm $name, I'm weird. Here's a bunch of geeky stuff to prove it\n";

It's just a way of writing the sentence without hardcoding a name in it. Perfectly normal code. In this case the value is intentionally omitted, because I don't feel like providing it.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[19thNervousBreakdown]

You seem to have missed the comment between mine and yours ... while somehow picking up parts of it. I know $something was meant to be a variable, that's why I made a snarky correction when the comment I replied to called it a string literal.

The thing I'm confused about, is how you could have any idea what I'm talking about without reading the comment I was replying to, or how you couldn't know what I was talking about if you did read the comment. It's like you've managed to occupy some strange Schrodinger's library, where you neither understand nor don't understand what's written, without being inbetween at all.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Monkey]

These stereotypes are perpetuated by atrocious shit like "Big Bang Theory". When my wife tells people that I work in IT they sometimes say "Oh he must like "Big Bang Theory"." My wife replies "No, he fucking hates that show." She's right, I do.

Now I realize that some of you on here feel that "BBT" is a great show and you think "Hey, this show is about guys like me." Wrong. This show is successful because it makes fun OF guys like you. It's like making a show about negroes and having the characters obsess about eating fried chicken, malt liquor and maintaining their weave. Is that funny? No? Well its the same shit.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[boristdog]

It must be amazing to never have any preconceived notions about anyone based on anything superficial that you learn about them!

You are truly the worlds greatest humanitarian! You must walk through the poorest ghettos with confidence!

Re:People associate it wrongly

[boristdog]

Because I'm still waiting for that opening in the "roller coaster testing with bikini-models" department?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[cheekyjohnson]

The only thing that I mentioned in my comment about myself would be the fact that I would not react idiotically to such a trivial matter. I was merely addressing your generalization that everyone is alike in this way. It is possible for that to be false. Labeling it as "human nature" and then reaching the conclusion that everyone in existence is like that is merely an excuse.

You must walk through the poorest ghettos with confidence!

Living in a "ghetto" doesn't speak much about someone's character. In any case, I'd need further information or actions to be able to identify their character.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[ifiwereasculptor]

Yes, that's one of the endless paralels between dating and soccer team recruiting.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[moogaloonie]

No, but you are likely to make a different impression mentioning your love of whole grain pepper right off the bat. When people ask what someone is in to they generally expect common answers like movies, sports, traveling... not much else really. Niche interests aren't exactly shameful, but there is a certain weight that comes with them. If a person has too specific an interest, like rice carving or riding Harley Davidsons (and only Harley Davidsons durn it!) there's a feeling that you may never truly understand that person if you have no interest in their interest. Don't say you like comic books, say you like movies. And when they ask what movies you like, say you like the ones based on comic books (and the more faithful the better). If they have half a brain they'll hardly be surprised to find you do, in fact, also like comic books.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[moogaloonie]

Right, we all have interests and many of us are also obsessive about them. I've known a lot of girls who like horses, but if you see a girl's "my other car is a horse" bumper sticker before you even meet her, it could be off putting. We like to learn things about people in a certain order, even if it means having to establish the most basic level of common ground beforehand.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Gilmoure]

How else you gonna find a girl who also likes comics and anime?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[Qzukk]

Wear glasses? Subtract again.

Unless you find that people wearing glasses look smart, in which case you add.

Of course, the subtractors would declare this a "fetish" and subtract double.

"First impression" may be human nature, but your reaction to many of the things that impress you (or not) are learned socially.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[RobbieThe1st]

Of course, you can also look at it as a matter of "If taken to the extreme, this is what I'd be like". Sure, TBBT is making fon of nerds etc., but really only when taken to the extreme. If you don't recall, there are several characters who are nerds and -don't- get made fun of - Leslie Winkle, for example.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[vadim_t]

Very easy, that one comment is modded 0 and I completely failed to notice it existence. That in turn makes your comment look very odd. So I figured I'd say something, and see what happens.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[19thNervousBreakdown]

I think you just gave me aspergers.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[lessthan]

The only difference between you and GooberToo is that he is honest with himself. We are programmed to make these judgments. You are lying to yourself if you think you aren't doing it. You may still be overcoming these judgments, but they are there.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[YodasEvilTwin]

Yeah, Denny's is for finding a prostitute and buying drugs, not eating.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[RockDoctor]

You see someone with a asymmetrical facial feature,

Let's start off with one point : YOU think in these ways ; don't claim it for anyone else who you don't have decades of close contact with (i.e., you might be able to make such assertions about your parents or a spouse, but even that isn't much better than 50:50 odds).

subtract points based on the degree of asymmetry.

s/You subtract/I subtract/

That symmetry is noticed is well-established ; whether "subtract" is a hard-wired response is not something that has (to my knowledge) been tested.

They don't have perfectly groomed hair? Subtract again.

s/You subtract/I subtract/

I am suspicious of people who pay excessive attention to their personal grooming ; I assume that it means they are distracting themselves dangerously form their actual work. (Obviously I don't work in retail sales, for which I thank my lucky stars every morning. After I thank my attention to work in school.)

Wear glasses? Subtract again.

s/You subtract/I subtract/

I see someone who pays attention to their personal safety. But you may never have had to deal with eye injuries in your working or personal life. Don't you claim to speak for me.

Bald? Subtract.

s/You subtract/I subtract/

You've probably just indicated your gender. It's reasonably well established that many women find bald men sexy ([PICARD VOICE]: Make it sooooo!). Having said that, Sinead "Skin'ead" O'Connor is very definitely worth a poke too, hair or no.

When you're speaking for yourself, acknowledge it.

Teeth? Subtract again. Now the cultural norm will dictate the severity of subtraction (example, teeth in UK vs USA)

Very much. Some crack-heads I know have very good teeth, others have terrible teeth ; some scum-of-the-earth salesmen have perfect teeth and are to be distrusted for it. But most trustworthy salesmen I know don't need to give a shit about their teeth (even assuming that they take their teeth to work with them).

Seriously, you're projecting your own prejudices onto other people. Which is morally questionable, as well as being practically likely to get you into trouble.

but nonetheless, its programmed into the DNA of humanity.

Paying attention to differences from your childhood (infancy, actually) norms is probably genetically fairly hard-wired. But what you consider "right" or "proper" (including in "proper" the French sense of "clean") is a socially conditioned thing, which is labile on a time scale of weeks if not shorter. When you come back to your current home from being abroad and speaking one of your other tongues for a while, doesn't it feel strange?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[GooberToo]

This may apply to a majority of the population, but it does not apply to everyone.

Reality says otherwise. No need to read your post any further.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[GooberToo]

I try to find out more about the person before classifying them (which is what we are speaking of).

Whooosh!!! You completely missed the point. Immediately after meeting someone you absolutely have classified them. Both consciously and unconsciously. Period. End of discussion. This is always true assuming you are human. Period.

As I originally stated, you can decided what you want to do about your conscious evaluation. A large minority of humanity make an effort to defer final judgment. Which, I believe, is what you're trying to say. Regardless, your unconscious "book by its cover" is extremely difficult to get past and will likely be with you for an extended period of time. I many cases, this impression will last the life of the relationship.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[GooberToo]

Why are you in such a denial of reality? You seem to be projecting. The person you are projecting on to me is not me.

When you've bothered to do some homework on the subject, I'll happily accept your applogy. Until such time, you're either trolling or woefully ignorant on the subject matter. If the later, it further hints of a personality flaw because you should know full well you have no idea what the hell you're talking about.

Basically this boils down to - science supports everything I said. You say science is completely wrong and only you know better. Which is more likely. Exactly.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[GooberToo]

"First impression" may be human nature, but your reaction to many of the things that impress you (or not) are learned socially.

Why are you restating what I said? The fact is, SOME of your reaction is cultural; as I very clearly spelled out. A lot is not. A lot of the reaction is ingrained in our DNA. Its exists for breeding purposes and mate selection. Its why humans are so creeped out by human-like robots.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[cheekyjohnson]

Reality says otherwise? Then can you prove with 100% accuracy that this does and always will apply to every person in existence?

Re:People associate it wrongly

[cheekyjohnson]

Immediately after meeting someone you absolutely have classified them.

As an "unknown," perhaps.

Period. End of discussion. This is always true assuming you are human. Period.

All you did was state your point and then claim it was true. What if there existed a person who didn't do that? This is my point. You speak in absolutes but likely cannot prove your statements absolutely.

Re:People associate it wrongly

[wondafucka]

Well, are you sure would really want to tell right away to some girl you meet that you read comic books or watch anime? Things like can make people think about you wrongly. And for example, when I'm visiting Thailand I like the ladyboys there, but it's not something I'd say to anyone when I first meet them.

One of my best friends became that way because of a clear and direct admission of ladyboys and capes.

On a side topic, I'm sure you're familiar with women who pretend to like sports in order to be more appealing to a romantic partner. I've found in the last few years women who pretend to like comic books. They have them on the shelf, but do not survive more than a cursory question about the content or characters. (This is independent of the women who actually like sports or comic books. Or, men like myself who pretend to know about sports in the company of men because it's preferable to talking about the weather, their children, or their lawns; which is shameful where I come from)

And I deem...

[Stormwatch]

And I deem patents shameful.

Has to be done.

[Anonymous Coward]

Worst Patent Ever.

Sounds like a Good Idea

[Anonymous Coward]

The title of this article is pretty sensational, and hides the true idea behind the patent.

The patent isn't saying comic books (and other fringe interests) are "shameful", it's saying that if you are putting yourself out there in some way, like a resume or a dating site, fringe interests aren't going to be the first things you list.

For example I used to do a college radio show on Japanese noise rock, it's cool, but if I tell most people about right off the bat, I get a blank look.

Re:Sounds like a Good Idea

[greed]

But...

Isn't that exactly like the "wanna-f**k" sites and apps that tell you someone is interested in you only if you are interested in them?

That is, if I say I'm interested in Person X, nothing happens. But when Person X also says they're interested in me, we both then get some indication that has happened--instant message, profile marker, whatever. It's really great for shy people. Though you still have the "I don't know what to say" issue.

This one goes back to multi-user BBS days....

Come to think of it, I might have seen something similar, like "don't list extreme fetish interests for users who have not filled out any extreme fetish interests". Hmmm. I wonder if those ex-sysops I know have backups of the BBS software....

Re:Sounds like a Good Idea

[ConceptJunkie]

See, I'm one of those kind of people that would say, "Cool! Tell me about it!" I wouldn't have much interest in something called "noise rock", although I have a couple of items in my music collection that might qualify (thanks eMusic!).

I have little patience for people who react negatively to strangeness. I don't lead with my interests, which are also generally esoteric, but I don't go out of my way to hide them either. Besides, more often than you would expect, you find someone who recognizes or at least appreciates them, which more than makes up for 10 blank stares.
 

Re:Sounds like a Good Idea

[tixxit]

Further, the point about expectations is important. Slashdot of all places should realize the value in not sharing with everyone that you're a computer nerd, lest they start requesting your help/input every time their computer goes bonkers. The same can go with homework or car troubles.

Re:Sounds like a Good Idea

[Seumas]

Of course the fringe things are going to be among the first that you list.

People are always so fucking infatuated with themselves that they can't wait to tell you about all the things they're into that you've probably never heard of. The fact that it's fringe and you haven't heard of it convinces them that they're just that much cooler.

Re:Sounds like a Good Idea

[GameboyRMH]

You're not describing an average person, you're describing a hipster.

Re:Sounds like a Good Idea

[tixxit]

What? Every computer nerd (no offence) in existence has had a person they don't know too well ask them for help. It is an awkward situation for many of us, because we sometimes have a hard time saying "no." I don't think the person is an ass wipe; if I did, it would be easy to say no and I wouldn't have a problem. It's the people you like whose expectation you don't want to ruin.

I have no idea where you are coming from, because your response in no way reflects the content of my post. No one mocks me for liking comics or computers. I was one of the biggest (open) computer nerds in my highschool and had plenty of friends (jocks included).

Shame

[Anonymous Coward]

I think I'd be more ashamed to admit I worked at Microsoft.

Shameful Admission.

[Anonymous Coward]

Perhaps I should confess the fact that I own Microsoft stock. There, I have said it publicly !

Sounds like a good idea to me...

[Anonymous Coward]

I used to have a big interest in the paranormal... I would never have listed it in a dating profile, but would have been interested in other people who were also into it. Now, not sure I like the label of "shameful"... but it was something I didn't want to just blurt out.

Re:Sounds like a good idea to me...

[ConceptJunkie]

Well, it's something that's easy to prejudge wrong because "interest in the paranormal" could mean a reader of the "Skeptical Inquirer" type of person who is genuinely interested in the fact that there are a lot of weird things we can't explain (at least yet) or an idiot who falls for "psychics" and astrology and all the other superstitious nonsense associated with "the paranormal".

Re:Sounds like a good idea to me...

[Antisyzygy]

That may be because paranormal things don't ever happen. Its just a rare thing with a physical explanation (maybe based on physics which are not known yet). You may as well believe in the lucky green cheese fairy who lives in a pumpkin house on a spaghetti farm on the dark side of the moon over psychics and ghosts.

I'd like to know...

[Stenchwarrior]

...where The Real Housewives of xyz and River Dance end up on the 'Fringe Interests' list, because there's no way in Hell people would admit to either of those of a first date.

Re:I'd like to know...

[Lilith's Heart-shape]

...where The Real Housewives of xyz and River Dance end up on the 'Fringe Interests' list, because there's no way in Hell people would admit to either of those of a first date.

I once had a first date with a woman who admitted that she believed that David Koresh was the Second Coming. People will admit all kinds of weird shit on a first date. Of course, after hearing that I called for the check, paid up, and walked out.

Re:I'd like to know...

[Lilith's Heart-shape]

I only went out with that woman as a favor to a friend.

Re:I'd like to know...

[Belial6]

If so, she was a very kind person that used a much better line than "It's not you. It's me."

"Blackmail Database"

[TaoPhoenix]

Oh this is nice.

This time it's a list of legal but less than popular snips of data we can attach to a person's profile!

Then one of a couple of options results:
A. Pwned security breach and it hits the wild
B. Given to agencies to threaten people with if they get out of line.

Re:"Blackmail Database"

[TaoPhoenix]

Sure they can use it, they just have to license it from Microsoft.

Ishihara and TBS would love this

[Fujisawa Sensei]

Ishihara and TBS would love this in their crusade against otaku and anime fans.

Not a bad idea

[Anonymous Coward]

Whether it needs a patent is something else, but the basic idea behind the technology is quite good.
For example, I have a collection of elegant (not military) pocket knives, which -while I am not embarassed- is not something I mention at work - they might think I am a closet psychopath.

Actually not a bad idea

[pifactorial]

I get the humorous Microsoft-bashing potential of this, but... I think they're actually thinking along the right lines here. It's not news anymore that any sort of public profile on the internet can land you in trouble with an employer. Certain categories of online services (e.g. dating services) depend on a person being willing to divulge potentially embarrassing information about themselves. People will continue to want to take advantage of these services, but given the opportunity to avoid embarrassing yourself in front of potential employers / friends / etc., I think one would choose the option of having this sort of information kept secret.

But haha, yes, comic books are taboo. Scott McCloud would have some choice words.

Re:Actually not a bad idea

[king neckbeard]

Chair throwing aside, I've heard that MS is actually a fairly good place to work.

Re:Actually not a bad idea

[Locke2005]

Once you learn how to duck, yes...

So what's the story here?

[91degrees]

The patent doesn't seem particularly terrible on comparison with a lot of the ones we've seen. The example given is clearly chosen to be as inoffensive as possible whilst still being something that someone might plausibly want to keep to themselves.

So, I guess the story is "Microsoft is evil, patents are also evil, here's something that's potentially mildly offensive to easily offended comic book fans so this proves they're evil"

Interests such as an inordinate fondness for...

[Anonymous Coward]

Chairs?

Trollertron3k Deems Submitter Retarded

[trollertron3000]

And Trollertron3k Deems Submitter Retarded!

Don't you guys realize we'd read the stories without your hype? For the love of God can we get an accurate headline this week?

Ambitious professional

[Lord Lode]

I see no reason at all why an ambitious professional should hide a passion for comic books. Does anyone see any problem at all? I don't.

Re:Ambitious professional

[GameboyRMH]

The problem is that a lot of uptight boring people work in HR who are looking for any reason to eliminate you as a candidate. This includes things that make you look like a weirdo (boring people don't like weirdos) or thrill seeker (potentially bad for medical insurance and your attendance).

The hobbies you're allowed to have are:

-Gardening
-Playing a musical instrument that doesn't require electricity
-Singing
-Cycling (of the road or ride-around-the-park variety, definitely no BMX or MTB riding!)
-Any ball sport except Lacrosse, Jai Alai and Paintball (that's a ball sport right?) unless you are over 30 in which case only golf, bowling, (table) tennis and badminton are allowed.
-Building puzzles
-Stamp collecting
-Model building
-Painting / writing / poetry / sculpting
-Swimming and diving (except swimming in ice and cliff diving)

And you must choose one of the above and it must be unrelated to your profession, because if you have no hobbies unrelated to your profession they'll be worried you could be a psycho who could go on a shooting spree if you're fired or laid off (not kidding).

Re:Ambitious professional

[seebs]

I don't know. I have a coworker who likes comic books, and I may have others. Also, we have an entire IRC channel for people who like computer games, though only a few people are usually active in it. :)

Re:Ambitious professional

[Belial6]

No, but I have known many people who would. It is also no more 'geeky' than MS is already perceived, so they don't risk hurting their image. Where as if they had used 'Furries' in their example, MS would have been accuessed of promoting perversion. Irrelvant of the fact that it is standard fair in TV and movies. Case in point:
Over $900 Million in gross revenue:
http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=shrek2.htm

for this this 'Furry' sex:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfPYB9HU-ys

Re:Ambitious professional

[DocSavage64109]

That's a rather lengthy and well thought-out list. I can't help but wonder if it's really true, or you're joking.

Re:Ambitious professional

[mjwalshe]

no hang out on likedin and quora in the HR/Personnel sections and see some of the creepy/illegal things that hr types and mangers (who make the PHB seem like saint) ask for advice on how to get away with.

Steve Balmer

[UdoKeir]

By day he's mild-mannered executive Steve Balmer, but at night he dons his monkey suit and becomes CHAIR MAN! Promising to "f--ing bury that guy" (he's done it before), he guards the streets of Redmond from free software.

Re:Steve Balmer

[geekoid]

Chairface will eat him for lunch.

Furries realized this years ago

[greenreaper]

We just made our own dating site. Problem solved!

Re:Furries realized this years ago

[Locke2005]

Rule 34. No exceptions!

Mis read the title

[Dupple]

I could have sworn it said 'Comic Sans' is shameful

As a middle aged computer gamer

[Liambp]

I know where they are coming from but I have no idea how they can turn this into a patent.

*Con as prior art?

[king neckbeard]

I think the idea is a bit of innuendo. 'Comic books' sounds better than a shared love of roleplaying Hannah Barbera characters covered with mustard on a waterbed with Orson Welles films playing on a projector. Even within comic books, there may be certain comics that are less socially acceptable than Marvel and DC. However, even if one accepts this as the kind of thing that could possibly get a patent, various conventions and internet forums, where one can escape from the people that know them personally already exist to fill a somewhat similar role, and there's already some systems in place that allow some degree of confidence (Bob clicks a button to say that he likes Alice, but Alice doesn't find out until she clicks a button that Alice likes Bob).

Re:*Con as prior art?

[Locke2005]

Mustard?!? You perv!!! Normal people use chocolate!

And as far as Alice likes Bob, what's to keep Bob from simply clicking on everyone in the vain hope that somebody likes him?

Re:*Con as prior art?

[king neckbeard]

Well, if Bob likes anyone who will have him and Alice likes Bob, then it seems alright to me. If nobody likes Bob, than Bob's desperation doesn't really matter.

I can imagine how this conversation went

[Ghostworks]

Lawyer: "So why did we originally create this feature?"
Engineer: "Porn. Mostly the kinky stuff. Tranvestites, golden showers, that sort of thing."
Lawyer: "We can't use 'defense of transvestite porn' in a patent,"
Engineer: "Why not? It's why we made it."
Lawyer: "Yeah, but every patent is also a public document, which means it's a potential PR nightmare. Do you want to see 'Patent Protects Porn' on Slashdot?"
Engineer: "Actually..."
Lawyer: "Forget it. Just come up with something normal people would find both a harmless interest and somehow secretly shameful. Mainstream fringe."
Engineer: "...."
Lawyer: "Never mind, we'll think of something."

Does anyone in America understand "metaphor"

[whitroth]

I can't imagine that they'd say in a patent application "people who are interested in alternate sexuality", or "people who were abused as children", or "people who belong to a religion other than Christian who live in the Bible Belt (aka the Christian terrorist homeland)"

                  mark

Re:Does anyone in America understand "metaphor"

[PPH]

Good point.

But consider this: Microsoft needs the services of just such 'out of the box thinking' creative employees in order to survive. It would seem strange on the surface to see Microsoft develop and patent a method for identifying such people to their employers. But Microsoft has been attacked in the past for its support and defense of just such people. So perhaps they are patenting something in order to keep its use out of the hands of conservative interest groups know for the use of just such tools. If they own the patent, they can sue to prevent others from using it.

Re:Where is the fucking invention?

[ConceptJunkie]

I have a pretty big record collection too!

Why oh why do so many people like the bust MS

[BudAaron]

I truly wish that posters here would be more truthful and less dramatic with headlines. The leader on this one is such bullshit!!!!!!!!!!

Wasn't this described in AP

[bmearns]

I'm pretty sure I remember reading something exactly like this in Applied Cryptography. I'll have to check when I get home, but I'm pretty sure Schneier can argue he has prior art.

Well that can test it out on the MSFT employees...

[Glasswire]

Surely MSFT HR will want to know who these weirdos are and if you have to lose a few oddball programming or creative types you're better off without 'em.

Rule #1

[Locke2005]

Don't trust anybody who wants to collect data on your secrets that "might be a source of shame and embarrassment", regardless of what purpose they claim for collecting this data. Why should people be eager to provide others with the means to blackmail them?

Alternatively, you could use the Jesse Ventura approach -- record every embarrassing thing you've ever done and publish it to make sure it is already public knowledge and move on.

Great idea!

[Locke2005]

So all I need to do is create a fictional person that is into every perverse preoccupation possible, then type in the names of all my enemies to see who he gets matched up with, and voila -- I've got plenty of blackmail material! Sweet! I wonder how much CmdrTaco will pay to keep others from finding out about his midget porn obsession?

Re:"Wouldn't you prefer Windows NOW?"

[Belial6]

I haven't quite figured out this new facination that people have with 'furries'. I don't mean the comics. I mean the fascination with trying to paint the people who read them as 'perverse'. Anthropomorphizing animals, and making them 'sexy' or putting them is sexual situations is common. It has been mainstream for longer than I have been alive. Only recently has it become a taboo.

Does no one remember Fritz the Cat? How about Bugs Bunny dressing up like a sexy woman so that he can freak out Elmer Fudd by getting him involved with a furry tranny? Thundercats? Heck, look at pretty much any catalog of cartoons with anthropomorphized characters, and you will find 'Furries'. Heck, Shrek 2 had an anthropomorphized cat literally giving miself a BJ in the castle square.

Obviously, there is a huge percentage of our population that is into this, and an even bigger percentage of our population that doesn't think twice about supplying it to their kids. I have discussed the BJ scene in Shrek 2, with many parents to get their opinion on it, and the standard response is that BJ are in kids movies if the characters are anthropomorphized. (aka. Furries) I don't get it, but that is the current standard for parenting.

"Shameful" is the wrong word

[purplepolecat]

We don't have an adequate word for stuff that we are not ashamed of, but still don't want everyone to know about. If we had such a word, it would be a whole lot easier to refute the "why do you need privacy, if you have nothing to hide" argument.

The fact is, there is widespread prejudice against a lot of relatively benign personal interests. We just can't resist judging people, it's part of the human condition. Hiding your otaku-ness from the outside world is probably a good idea.

It's brave new world

[Steven_M_Campbell]

This is wonderful! Soon the computer will be able to tell us what's cool and what's not. We'll know just what products to by and when. Utopia I tell you!

Aldous Huxley was right.

Should we try?

[Gaygirlie]

Well, shouldn't we try if interest in comics or such is a positive or a negative thing, as Microsoft is claiming here.

I'm 28 year old female, I love learning and experiencing new stuff, delight myself in meaningful conversations, play videogames on a daily basis and I am a manga-buff and really enjoy me some quality anime.

Now, how many people here would be put off by the last part of the above sentence? ;)

Re:Should we try?

[seebs]

At least a few, and you would not enjoy hanging out with them. :)

Re:Should we try?

[ElectricTurtle]

If you said you were 29, I would have confused you with my wife.

Re:Should we try?

[balbus000]

This is Slashdot. You're a female.

No one here would be put off by anything you said.

Re:Should we try?

[Gaygirlie]

and you would not enjoy hanging out with them. :)

Quite possible, indeed :3

Re:Should we try?

[BJ_Covert_Action]

Wanna hang out?

Re:Should we try?

[Gaygirlie]

I actually don't think that's true. There's lots of pretty intelligent commenters here and surprisingly many here seem to already be happily married. I know you meant that as a joke, though. Besides, I normally keep my gender out of the discussion anyways as it plays no relevance to any meaningful arguments.

Re:Should we try?

[Tokah]

I second this! I'm not sure why we as geeks continue to portray the any-geek-girl-will-do caricature. My husband and I have been married for years. We aren't cardboard cut outs: he doesn't have the patience to read a good science fiction novel and I gave up on programming a long time ago. We do, however, play games together, work for different parts of our local science fiction convention, etc. We went to Gencon for our honeymoon. My sister and bro-in-law play in a D&D group two days a week, watch anime, etc but split on video games and reading fanfiction. Both couples are happily married, and together we are raising my niece who at age 4 can name dice properly, has a video of her rolling her first natural 20, and knows which covenant are the most difficult to kill in Halo. (That last bit is from my father, actually!) Sure, our deprived guys didn't grow up watching Blake's 7 or Dr Who, and we don't play video games as 24-7 as they would prefer, but that's the difference between real people and stereotypes. The other difference is that they, like most geekish fellas, won't jump at anything that moves and knows what open source or otaku means.

Re:Should we try?

[Gaygirlie]

I'm not sure why we as geeks continue to portray the any-geek-girl-will-do caricature.

It is a stereotype being pushed onto us by the non-geek and it simply tends to stick to those geeks who are either easily affected or who have low self-esteem. Sad as it is. But it still is a stereotype that has no basis in reality.

PS. Sounds like you have an absolutely fantastic group of people around you and your husband doesn't sound bad either, I am somewhat envious of you :)

Re:Should we try?

[YodasEvilTwin]

Yeah, I've never met a nerd who wants a nerdy girlfriend. Nerdy girls aren't hot. (Bam! More stereotyping, suckers!)

Chocolate Donuts

[odysseus_complex]

And if instead the patent application had used 'chocolate donuts' as their example instead of 'comic books' the fact that this is a non-story would not change.

Secret Shame

[byteherder]

I secretly like reading the X-Men comics. There I am out of the closet. Oh, the shame, the shame of it all.

blackmail

[manaway]

How is this not a patent on (emotional) blackmail?

Re:Women associate it wrongly

[shuz]

If a woman was introduced to me as being really into Comic's, Football, and Beer(microbrew) then I would think "WIN" and not something negative. However the same probably could not be said if someone were to introduce me to a woman in the same way. A similar example from the woman's side might be reading Trash novels, Tennis, and Knitting. I guess I don't see anything wrong with any of these hobbies including Comic's. Shame is a public perception right? My argument for this type of perception is and will always be that a hobby that does not degrade, slander, or harm any person purposefully can be justified as not shameful. Comics, as the article relates to is a medium and is not shameful in and of itself. But a comic individually could be considered shameful. The self esteem portion of comic book reading is an entirely different topic. If someone has low self esteem and feels shameful for having a hobby that is not considered mainstream then they have a personal issue that they need to work on and it could absolutely affect their personal life. At a high level I see where MS's patent filing is going. I disagree that it is original and I think it is a bit trolling, but they have the right to file as any other entity. Comic != nerd, Beer drinker != alcoholic, Trash novel != repressed, Knitting != old.

Louis Vuitton Outlet Store

[naixi]

In the tide of The Times, everybody pursuit of famous brand, whether you also should follow?Do you have ever heardLouis Vuitton Outlet Store.This is a very famous brand,if you want to let you feel fashion.I advise you to Buy Louis Vuitton

Perhaps...

[randomaxe]

...they should have chosen an example that is more universally considered shameful, such as "working at Microsoft".