anyone else get mad about how modern society views otakus?

It makes me really mad how modern society is generally more accepting of drug addicts and smokers and gangsters than it is of otakus

How is society more accepting of smokers ( banned in most indoor places, lots of out door areas and made to look like a blight on society), drug addicts ( have you seen anyone addicted to heroin? Do you see people clamoring to be around them or saying that's how they want to be?), gangsters( Who thinks thugs, murders, drug pushers, thieves, violent individuals or anarchists are really something to aspire to be? Be honest, how many do you know that want anything to do with any of that in a real, non fantasy sense?)? Anime and those who like it are more accepted than ever, it's even a part of pop culture now. If you were saying this in the late eighties and early nineties, I'd say that you're partially right. Now? Not even close.

Ok I understand where you are coming from and it's reasonable, but generally those people are the majority of the society. Especially this new generation with being a "gangster" being the "cool" thing to be. I understand that most if not all drug addects need help and although they are frowned upon everyone who isnt one themselves that associates themselves with them generally feels obligated to help them. Whereas those that aren't are considered bad people. Personally I'm struggling with helping a friend through drug addiction. I'm not saying that they are what society looks up to. I'm simply saying that society accepts them more, of course this is a personal opinion. Society doesnt look up to them but they get more attention (which is sometimes needed) than otakus in general. Now im not saying that otakus want attention, in fact some otakus just want to be left alone. Society tends to accept and change people, because that society sees it as wrong. I personally am mad at the fact that many people think of otakus as an extremely lazy person with no job and no life, ever. This is what I have come to learn through experience and through others experiences. I do see where you are coming from though to be honest my view on things may be or may not be jaded, but this is my particular view through what I have lived and heard. I just wanted to know peoples out look on this particular subject. So thank you for your look on things.

Actually, I do see that. In the ghetto and at the liquor stores. The high school I graduated from don't really like people like us. They say you lame if you don't smoke weed and such and possibly try to bully you. Man, even the kids and teens are doing these things just to fit in and because of influences by music. It depends in the area you're in. It looks like you're from an area where it's nice and such. I'm not trying to start a fight but this is what I've experienced.

I'm from fresno and fresno is basically known for that I constantly see everyone getting pressured into drugs and weed and gangs

Thing is, it's not the societal norm as you seem to claim nor is it looked at by the majority as acceptable. Now, it may be more prevalent in certain areas, but overall it's not all that as common. Honestly, I really don't even count weed as some sort of horrendous thing, but to each their own on that one. Maybe I'm just in an odd area, but I've never encountered any discrimination or hatred because I like anime. I've met more people who like at least one anime than those who just don't like it at all. Oh, no emotions were upset, so no fighting shall ensue. I certainly do have areas near me that if you're just a certain skin color, you might want to avoid and plenty of gang activity. Plenty of drug use here, cocaine, crack, acid, meth, heroin, crockodil, speed, various pain killers...etc. However, most I've met have done one thing or another, they either don't anymore or are truly against the hard core stuff. So, it's not like I hear anyone who is pro any of this. I'm not here to argue, but I'm merely stating what I know just as you are and I mean no offense if any is taken.

Ok then I see there is no more reason to debate for lack of a better term you seem jaded on your opinion and I respect and see why you feel that way this is after all a matter of opinion

Yeah. Idk about treating otakus all that bad. ^^;; Where i come from nobody is really discriminated honestly. I think we accept otaku as much as we accept druggys. But obviously people round here will arrest you for a crime if you do it. The social aspect though? People are pretty accepting.

Yeah, I'm not seeing it either. Especially on a national (USA) scale with all the news that pops up about cases like trayvon martin, oscar grant, and that kid that got killed in Florida over loud music, I don't think it's all that terribly acceptable to be/or perceived as a gangster. Like yassshat said, anime doesn't have legal restrictions tagged onto it and I haven't heard of anyone getting shot solely for being an otaku so I think otakus are quite a bit more tolerated by society than that. :p I think the only new coverage I ever hear about nerdy hobbies are when people who get so into gaming that they die from blood clots. Which is insane. At least like truckers have a little bit more of a legitimate excuse