Toxic Geek Masculinity in Media
This book examines changing representations of masculinity in geek media, during a time of transition in which “geek” has not only gone mainstream but also become a more contested space than ever, with continual clashes such as Gamergate, the Rabid and Sad Puppies’ attacks on the Hugo Awards, and battles at conventions over “fake geek girls.” Anastasia Salter and Bridget Blodgett critique both gendered depictions of geeks, including shows like Chuck and The Big Bang Theory, and aspirational geek heroes, ranging from the Winchester brothers of Supernatural to BBC’s Sherlock and the varied superheroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Through this analysis, the authors argue that toxic masculinity is deeply embedded in geek culture, and that the identity of geek as victimized other must be redefined before geek culture and media can ever become an inclusive space.
Anastasia Salter is Assistant Professor of Digital Media at the University of Central Florida, USA. She is author of Jane Jensen: Gabriel Knight, Adventure Games, Hidden Objects and What is Your Quest?: From Adventure Games to Interactive Books, and co-author of Flash: Building the Interactive Web.
Bridget Blodgett is Associate Professor of Information Arts and Technologies at the University of Baltimore, USA. Her research involves the use of technology within Internet culture and virtual worlds and the social impacts of virtual and internet culture on offline life.
