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I recently started a discussion about female GMs and the responses that I got were pretty awesome. I started to write a reply to that thread, which died a rather inglorious death, and realized that it warranted a new thread.
Hopefully the response to this thread will be equally as good. As a side note, I'm a grad student in educational technology and a science educator so I see a lot of parallels to gaming. I'm basically always thinking about this stuff. ;)
Now that I have been introduced to the Paizo forums, I am lamenting the fact that I didn't get a chance to respond to some truly excellent threads that ran several months back!
There are some really amazing posts out there addressing gender equity in the gaming community. This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart as I am an educator in the sciences and see the very same trends and misconceptions affecting young women's feelings about themselves in math and science.
Another subject that I have seen raised is the outright persecution some gamers experienced growing up. For me, my first introduction to gaming was from my older brother. He was, and still is, one of the coolest guys I have ever known. He was able to get a lot of people into gaming who may have not considered it before, and having a group of friends over to game was totally normal for me growing up.
I hesitate to say that people were often surprised that he was a gamer. Unfortunately, there are negative stereotypes that go along with the hobby, just like there are stereotypes regarding engineers, physicists,microbiologists, computer programmers, etc. Not only are these stereotypes damaging to the individual who are subjected to them, they are damaging to a whole group of individuals who are unable to see themselves in that role.
When I asked a group of 8th grade girls whether they thought they would pursue a career in science (the majority said no), and why they felt that way, they told me that they didn't see women in those fields that they could identify with. Their perception of the sciences is of a whole lot of men, they can't visualize themselves in that role because the media, society, whatever it may be, tells them that it is a male profession. This makes me so grateful that there are women out there like Amanda Hamon, and Jessica Price (who I found through Amanda's favorited posts) out there to represent the hobby!
As a scientist and a gamer, I try to really put myself out there to inspire others. I've had long conversations with a group of 9th grade boys about WOW (yes, I played WOW, don't judge me). I want them to know that their hobby is cool, relevant, and that I, as a female teacher totally get it. These same kids are juniors now and I swear that they still remember that conversation. I also tell pretty much everyone who will listen to me about Pathfinder. I'm a cool, well rounded, educated adult, I landed myself an awesome spouse and most Friday nights, I put on a British accent and pretend I am a halfling cavalier riding a dog. I am in a masters program for educational technology with a guy that is big into MMORPGs, he totally degraded himself over Google hangouts over his Ventrilo headset. I was like, "dude, I put on a British accent.." well, you know the rest. I am constantly trying to get him to try Pathfinder though. :)
Man, if my posts are too long winded, let me know! I'm new to the forums. Unless you're a jerk. Then I will just ignore you. :)
Dotting this thread. I'd like to weigh in here after I finish teaching my next class.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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I started role playing in elementary school, and people thought I was odd for it.
I bought my first D&D box set in middle school. At tht point I been picked on for a while, but I didn't really care. I may have been bullied but I handled it by not letting it bother me and making it clear I didn't put up with it.
Things changed when I brought the box set to my school so I could play at Lunch with friends, two of the bullies came up to us and started giving us grief. It lasted until one of them noticed what we were doing. "Can I play?" We're his next words, and he was serious.
High school was awkward, but I spent it with awkward people. I did typical teenage things, and made typical teenage mistakes. I kept playing the game though, and made some friends doing so.
It wasn't until college that I really took off with the hobby, and I began introducing it to others. I probably have played with more first time players than experienced players as a result.
My favorite moment was with a group of teenagers, who kept inviting more and more friends to the game and continued the games after I left. They had a blast, and I learned a great deal.
I don't think the hobby has as much a stereotype as it did many years ago. In fact, I think a great deal of the geek culture is now at a popular and accepted place. You are probably the coolest person in the room if you are a scientist, and who doesn't like to play games?
As for women in science, one of my friends is both a woman and a biologist. We may not be at a place where certain negative boundaries and stereotypes are all gone, but I think are very close to being there.
I am wondering if we should start a thread on female role models in the fields of science and history.
Here is a small list of some incredibley inspiring women you should check out.
Dr. Pamela L. Gay PhD is an American astronomer, educator, podcaster, and writer, best known for her work in astronomical podcasting.
Professor Alice Roberts BSc, MB BCh, PhD, is an English anatomist, osteoarchaeologist, anthropologist, paleopathologist, television presenter, and author.
Nicole Gugliucci post doc Astronomer has the Noisy Astronomer blog
Dr Bettany Hughes, historian, Oxford Graduate, television presenter, Her latest TV series is Divine Women, investigating the role of women in religion though history. She has also written and presented a number of documentaries including When The Moors Ruled Europe, Helen of Troy and The Spartans. Her book on Helen of Troy is on my bookshelf.
Carenza Lewis MA, ScD, FSA was one of the archaeological presenters of Time Team, the long-running award-winning archaeological TV series. She currently runs programmes with of widening access to higher education among under-represented groups, with a focus on Archaeology.
To name a few of the women that inspire me.
Then there is the Bug Girl Blog, and Skepchick if you are looking for more.
Here is a small list of some incredibley inspiring women you should check out.Dr. Pamela L. Gay PhD is an American astronomer, educator, podcaster, and writer, best known for her work in astronomical podcasting.
Professor Alice Roberts BSc, MB BCh, PhD, is an English anatomist, osteoarchaeologist, anthropologist, paleopathologist, television presenter, and author.
Nicole Gugliucci post doc Astronomer has the Noisy Astronomer blog
Dr Bettany Hughes, historian, Oxford Graduate, television presenter, Her latest TV series is Divine Women, investigating the role of women in religion though history. She has also written and presented a number of documentaries including When The Moors Ruled Europe, Helen of Troy and The Spartans. Her book on Helen of Troy is on my bookshelf.
Carenza Lewis MA, ScD, FSA was one of the archaeological presenters of Time Team, the long-running award-winning archaeological TV series. She currently runs programmes with of widening access to higher education among under-represented groups, with a focus on Archaeology.
Yeah, but do they play? :p
Probably not but I was thinking about examples of women in Science for Lemontia... Some of the Skepchicks would play I guess, ask them they are a very cool group of pro science bloggers.
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High school was awkward, but I spent it with awkward people. I did typical teenage things, and made typical teenage mistakes. I kept playing the game though, and made some friends doing so.
High school is always awkward! You know what is more awkward? Thinking that high school was the BEST time of your life. I had so much more confidence and better times in my twenties...and frankly, my thirties are even better! I'm really glad I'm not one of those people the "Peaked" in high school.
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I am wondering if we should start a thread on female role models in the fields of science and history.
Here is a small list of some incredibley inspiring women you should check out.
Dr. Pamela L. Gay PhD is an American astronomer, educator, podcaster, and writer, best known for her work in astronomical podcasting.
Professor Alice Roberts BSc, MB BCh, PhD, is an English anatomist, osteoarchaeologist, anthropologist, paleopathologist, television presenter, and author.
Nicole Gugliucci post doc Astronomer has the Noisy Astronomer blog
Dr Bettany Hughes, historian, Oxford Graduate, television presenter, Her latest TV series is Divine Women, investigating the role of women in religion though history. She has also written and presented a number of documentaries including When The Moors Ruled Europe, Helen of Troy and The Spartans. Her book on Helen of Troy is on my bookshelf.
Carenza Lewis MA, ScD, FSA was one of the archaeological presenters of Time Team, the long-running award-winning archaeological TV series. She currently runs programmes with of widening access to higher education among under-represented groups, with a focus on Archaeology.
To name a few of the women that inspire me.
Then there is the Bug Girl Blog, and Skepchick if you are looking for more.
Fantastic!
I think that we really need to expose young girls to role models, such as these. I am hoping to do a follow up session with these same girls. I am hoping to address some of their concerns regarding female role models. Interestingly, they also felt that science was "taught for boys." I want to have a conversation with them about how we can better engage them as young women.
Cool stuff! Thank you.
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Along these same lines, I get the opportunity to interact with the mothers of several young players at our PFS group. I make a point of talking to them! I tell them that I gamed when I was young, tell them what I think gaming can do for their kids developmentally, and generally try to present the best image possible for the hobby.
It's interesting, because the same kids that are gaming (rather precocious youth), are also the same kids that are in magnet and advanced programs in math and science, so I end up having even more things to talk about with their parents.
I like your posts. Yep, gaming can push the young into new directions, it doesn't have to be about being a shut-in.
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Lamontia - I have my internet working now and link some Youtube stuff for the women above.
Astronomy Cast, Episode 274 - Vesta Dr Pamela Gays podcast.
Dr. Alice Roberts Origins of Us
When God Was a Girl | BBC Documentary | Women and ReligionBettany Hughes
Sign me up for more of that! :)
For the youngsters I think Dirtgirlworld is just an amazing advancement too.
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Colour me intrigued: what does a 'British accent' sound like?Ha! Probably pretty terrible. I suppose I am aiming for English, but I'm sure that I am not doing a very good job of it. :)
It just struck me as a bit odd to talk about stereotypes and then reduce a lingustically complex nation to one accent.
Even if you're in just England, you've got a lot of accents to contend with. Try comparing yam-yam, mackem, scouse, west country, cockney, received pronunciation, estuary english and yorkshire... and that's just for starters.
Sorry I have been sucked into the accent derail as accents and the history and culture of both Britain and Ireland facinate me.
I am assuming that your cavaliers accent is more Lord Bertie from Biggles (Tally Ho, Pip Pip, I have a bally Hun on my 6 and I can't shake him, that simply isn't cricket, we are on a sticky wicket, we will be home in time for crumpets and tea).
That accent is class and education bassed.
I can understand why Gerant and Strayshift get a bit miffed when people generalise about the British accent, it's like saying all Americans sound like cowboys.
* disclaimer, I am an Australian we also have regional and class based accents but they are even harder for people to tell apart.
I am assuming that your cavaliers accent is more Lord Bertie from Biggles (Tally Ho, Pip Pip, I have a bally Hun on my 6 and I can't shake him, that simply isn't cricket, we are on a sticky wicket, we will be home in time for crumpets and tea).
LT George in 'Blackadder goes forth'.
Or...
Flashheart's Flying visit - Blackadder.
General Melchett visits the troops - Blackadder.
This has me rolling on the floor Armstrong, Miller, Mitchell and Webb - WW2 Pilots.
EDIT: Ha we all had the same idea... I was laughing so hard it took me ages to pick the right ones.
Well fit innit?
How interesting that such a topic would come up and be something I read about just recently.
I'm sure I've lost where the article was posted but it basically said that the reason there aren't many women in math and science careers is that women who are good at maths and sciences are also typically good at organization and social interaction, so they tend to go for careers outside of the maths and sciences simply because they often pay better.
Best teacher I ever had was a female math teacher in junior high and high school, and she wasnt the best teacher because she was good at math. She actually helped me break through some walls I'd put up against the 'busy work' of school that I felt was beneath me by being able to properly frame its purpose in a way that made sense to me.
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Sorry I have been sucked into the accent derail as accents and the history and culture of both Britain and Ireland facinate me.
I am assuming that your cavaliers accent is more Lord Bertie from Biggles (Tally Ho, Pip Pip, I have a bally Hun on my 6 and I can't shake him, that simply isn't cricket, we are on a sticky wicket, we will be home in time for crumpets and tea).
That accent is class and education bassed.
I can understand why Gerant and Strayshift get a bit miffed when people generalise about the British accent, it's like saying all Americans sound like cowboys.
* disclaimer, I am an Australian we also have regional and class based accents but they are even harder for people to tell apart.
I of course, also understand why they were miffed. In my ethnocentric Americanism, I forgot myself. Please forgive me. :) I truly mean no insult!
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If anything, where I see the stereotypes really fall apart is in the military. I personally know 5 SOF types and at least 10 "type A" combat arms guys that play weekly. They all fit the "Cool guy with oakleys" stereotype when not gaming, for which I harass them endlessly. As an interesting side note, the IDF determined that playing RPGs and MMOs is indicative (or the cause of?) psychological instability and low self esteem. I think they should have widened their test group a little bit.
So why do guys in the military not fit the stereo-type? I would hazard a guess, that the average modern (pathfinder) gamer is young, male, started out on computer games, and has an interest in tactical combat. Sounds a good fit for many members of the military to me :)
It is interesting to note that almost everyone who has left comments says they started at school. I was 24 before I started playing any sort of RPGs. I was in a house share, and one of my flatmates left the AD&D PHB and DMG on the table in the lounge. I read them straight through and have been playing ever since. I started GMing a couple of years later.
My first computer game was a 1980s Star Trek battle simulator that needed a mainframe computer to run (seriously) - but I have never really been into Computer games. A bit of AoE and NWN - mainly because I could play with my son and wife. NWN was great because we did some world building together. Otherwise I don't play computer games.
I don't do much tactical combat either. Sure I have played full blown wargames with miniatures, and I re-enact English Civil War battles (and I have portrayed both Scotsmen and Welsh as well as my native English). But in all honesty, I don't get all that much from PF tactical combat, I find it gets boring very quickly.
I met my wife playing a D&D based RPG online at PlayByWeb (it will be our 10th wedding anniversary this year) and we still both play TT and online games (although we have mover to RPoL now). One of the witnesses at out wedding came from our TT group, the other was a moderator on an international RP site. I started D&D with my son when he was 5 or 6 years old.
Now I am in my late 50s, white hair and beard - and I run a TT game on a weekly basis. I also run a 'Birthday Dungeon' annually to celebrate my wife's birthday - friends come from all over the area to play in that one. I also run a game and play in two others at RPoL.
So apart from the fact that I am male - I probably don't fit much of any of the stereotypes ...
Not wishing to be mean - but a female science teacher is not a particularly good role model for female students. They see a woman with science qualifications teaching, rather than practising science. Teaching has always been an 'approved' female role choice.
As said no offence taken - we Scots are, and hopefully soon will be a seperate nation.:(
Big change.... What is the proposed frame work for Scottish government post devolution?
Are they going to become a Commonwealth Realm like Australia, Canada and New Zealand fully independent but with QE2 as the head of state or are they going to call in one of the Jacobite pretenders and let them have a go? Alternatively is Scotland going to become a republic?
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Do you ask your female students about business? I work for a corporation and am out numbered two to one easy. Not that I mind those odds :).
Problem I have is I love business women. Something about being professional and looking the part is just irresistible. However, the second one of these ladies finds out I'm a gamer I might as well put on a diaper and suck my thumb. Gaming is seen as juvenile and too nerdy, even though being nerdy is cool these days. So I am forced to hide my hobby like a bad habit.
I tried to find one of rare and elusive gamer girls but I have had no luck. I'm just too polite to approach them at gaming stores and events. I am sure they appreciate that. There is a time and place for meeting them. Where that place is I just don't know. I did have a console gamer GF for a bit. She was really lazy and swore like a sailor. Cool girl but just didn't gel. Oh well I guess I'll have to stick to crouching cougar, hidden gamer.
Sorry to go a little off topic there. Women may not be beating down the door to the sciences but they are lining up to get into business. That has to be a good thing.
I am wondering if we should start a thread on female role models in the fields of science and history.
Maria Skłodowska-Curie. To this day the only person that got Noble prize in two different fields of science (Physics and Chemistry).
And shared a third with her husband, IIRC.
I want to share something about the stigma of this game.
A lot of it still is just from the name 'Dungeons and Dragons.' Just like in the eighties it has nothing to do with any actual knowledge of the game, just the reputation of the name.
Here is how I have started handling it over the last few months.
If it comes up in coversation.
"Oh I spend a fair amount of time on fishing or Pathfinder hobbies."
Usually they don't ask any more, because most people really aren't interested in your hobbies. But if they do ask,
"It's alot like one of those online MORPGS combined with a standard board game. I'm not into TV sports, so this allows me an escape from thinking about the idiots at work for awhile." The funny thing about this is, it even works if you are talking to the idiot. No one ever thinks they are the idiot. Especially if they really are the idiot.
If they ask for more.
"It's usually played in person. That helps people like me with no hand-eye coordination. I have time to plan and think about what I want to do so it doesn't matter how fast I can hit the X-B-B-A-Y button combination."
They laugh and are ok with it.
A very small number of people have asked for more detail and then I have discussed PF with them in whatever detail they want to hear. I think a couple are likely to at least give it a go this year.
I'm really not concealing or misrepresenting anything. I tell the truth, but don't 'gush' more details than they are interested in hearing. (I think this is one of the mistakes many gamers make. Some one innocently shows the most minor polite interest and they go into fanatic-must-convert-the-unbeliever-mode and start vomiting up every deal they can recall about the game without pausing for breath. Until the victim is backing away in fright.)
It is how you present it. Never mention 'Dungeons and Dragons, Role Playing Game, or Gamers' and use hobby more than game. Then it usually is at least acceptable. The general attitude is "Ok, yeah he's a bit dorky. But he's an engineer, what else can you expect?"
And shared a third with her husband, IIRC.
The first one was shared with husband and collaborator. No one got three Noble prizes yet. Of four people with two Noble prizes only one got both on their own, the remaining three persons have one which is shared prize and one which is their own.
Ah ok. Been a while since I read about her. Oh, and it is Nobel prize, after Alfred Nobel.
Kydeem keeping my gaming hobby as a secret passion worked just fine. In high school I was treated as a perfectly normal "jock clique" girl and I was out there enjoying tennis, cycling, and cheerleading. At home in my suburban neighborhood I felt safe enjoying RPGs with my brother and some other boys from the neighborhood. Gaming was my guilty pleasure.
In college was the only time I was able to be completely open about gaming. Which could lead to awkward moments. But I was headstrong in college and did what I wanted to do.
As an adult I don't necessarily talk about the hobby... unless someone asks about it. And even then I use diplomatic language much like you do Kydeem.
Other people have opinions you can't change. Just pick a way of handling those opinions and don't worry about it more than that. When I had to fight my way from the most bullied girl in school (when I was first switched from religious school to public school) I learned everyone fears what is different from themselves. If you seem to be the same as them they embrace you rather than bully you. BUT there are many cliques in high school the cliques basically bully each other a little but mostly they all bully the outcasts who refuse or are unable to join any clique. The cliques favor people with certain skill sets or life stories. I started as an outcast but had smarts and athletic skill... I chose the "jock clique" because they were the least picked on and I fit there easily with my athletic talents. Adults don't really have cliques anymore. So I am not going to have to fear my coworkers if I get caught talking about something "different". And wonderful college was where cliques were non-exclusive. You could freely move from one clique to another and make friends in a vast array of different backgrounds.
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I had an interesting experience this past weekend while I was painting a miniature for my PFS rogue. I took up painting minis sometime last year, which like GMing, was something that I never thought I would do. I remember my brother painting some minis in my youth, and then he and Lamontius both started painting when we took up Pathfinder. Lamontius painted my first figure for me, and I seriously believed that I was pretty much incapable of painting a mini. Turns out I am actually kind of great at it. I'm slow, but I pay a lot of attention to detail. I am particularly good at painting female minis, and all of my female figures pretty much have blush and lipstick. haha
Anyway, back to stereotypes, or rather breaking them down...
Lamontius was out of town this past weekend and I was painting a miniature when our neighbor, a big, burly, motorcycle riding guy,his girlfriend, and several of their friends came to the door. They're cool people and we've hung out with hem before, so they frequently just stop in to say hi. Anyway, they were fascinated by what I was doing! I pulled out a bunch of our figures, that both Lamontius and I had painted, and they were just in awe! I got into a conversation with one guy about minis, and Pathfinder, it was quite funny! One guy just kept telling me how lucky Lamontius was!
I think that sometimes, we think that people are going to judge us a lot more harshly than they actually do. This group has probably never played an RPG, but if anything, I think it sort of endeared me to them. I paint really tiny, really intricate little figures, and they seamed to think it was pretty cool! :)
Kydeem keeping my gaming hobby as a secret passion worked just fine. In high school I was treated as a perfectly normal "jock clique" girl and I was out there enjoying tennis, cycling, and cheerleading. At home in my suburban neighborhood I felt safe enjoying RPGs with my brother and some other boys from the neighborhood. Gaming was my guilty pleasure.
In college was the only time I was able to be completely open about gaming. Which could lead to awkward moments. But I was headstrong in college and did what I wanted to do.
As an adult I don't necessarily talk about the hobby... unless someone asks about it. And even then I use diplomatic language much like you do Kydeem....
My high school years were not a restrictive as yours. Probably because I just didn't give a rats @$$ what anyone thought. There were quite a few of us. Some would probably have said we formed our own clique. But we didn't think of it in those terms. Just that we did what we wanted and to heck with anyone that didn't like it.
My college years wearn't as free. Between classes, work, and kids I basically had to give up gaming for the most part. I don't know if anyone would have hassled me about it or not. It just really didn't come up.
As an adult is actually where it has given me the most problems. Even though it shouldn't be, in many places your odds of getting a raise or even just keeping your job depend almost entirely on what people think of you. If people think there is something wrong with you or you are emotionally disturbed (which is what many still think of DnD), you are on your way out.
I don't really keep it a secret. (I can't lie worth crap.) I've just learned to not use the 3 key freakout words. Then everything seems to be fine.
I certainly am cognizant of the sitgma attached to "Dungeons and Dragons," having played that and other tabletop RPGs for 30+ years. I am quite open about my gaming hobby in my personal life (friends, at church, and among a few gamer peers at work). While I live in a pretty liberal town, my management chain is a bit on the stodgy and conservative side, so I don't really mention my passion for gaming at work.
I'm also not fully "out" about gaming on the Internet. I don't mention much about gaming on my "real name" Facebook account or on my professional blog. I use the pseudonym "Hal Haladir" for my gaming-related Internet presence.
I suppose that it wouldn't be all that hard for someone to trace my "Hal Haladir" personna back to my real name, but for now, I prefer to keep my professional and gaming-related activities on the Internet separate.
If I ever do publish anything gaming-related for real, I will of course use my real name. I will probably merge the two personnas at that time. It sure would make things easier! (Like, not having to maintain separate Facebook accounts!)
Ah ok. Been a while since I read about her. Oh, and it is Nobel prize, after Alfred Nobel.
Duh. I blame muscle memory... Too much reading/writing about nobles and not enough looking on what I actually write.
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High school is always awkward! You know what is more awkward? Thinking that high school was the BEST time of your life. I had so much more confidence and better times in my twenties...and frankly, my thirties are even better! I'm really glad I'm not one of those people the "Peaked" in high school.
High school was awkward, but I spent it with awkward people. I did typical teenage things, and made typical teenage mistakes. I kept playing the game though, and made some friends doing so.
Lamontia, thanks for the kind words. :-)
If there's one thing I wish I could tell high school students, it's that they may need to stow their passion, for whatever reason, but they should be careful not to lose it. Teenage years are a period of such vulnerability, and teenagers strike out at others because they're uncomfortable with their own vulnerability, so it's a period of time where it's all about protecting yourself. And since the things you care about are an easy vector for others to hurt you, you try to appear not to care about anything so that you won't appear vulnerable. (Some kids accept it, even if it makes them geeky or awkward, and some kids are confident enough in high school to make a strength out of it, but the latter definitely seem to be the minority.)
And I'm not interested in trying to change that -- people have been trying for time immemorial, and it won't change. But what I wish I could communicate to them is to make sure that hiding your passions doesn't make you lose them.
Because when you get through your teen years (and they are not the best time of your life, by a long shot), your passion will cease being a vulnerability and start being a strength.
Passion from a teen may be awkward or geeky and make them get fun of.
Passion from a confident adult is compelling. It's charismatic. It will draw people to you. It will help you sell your ideas to others. It will make others want to work with you, fund your projects, hire you, date you, be your friend. And it will make your life so much richer than if you lack things you care about intensely.
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Interesting topic/s, while many of what I call hardcore gamers fit the stereotype mold to one degree or another, I find most gamers in general don't.
To be clear I consider hardcore gamers as ones that have several bookshelves of games often game 2 or more times a week.
As for casual gamers they tend to run the gambit. In my current group, there is a nerdy IT guy, a blue collar factor worker, a cop, a x-PJ(para-rescue) who seems to change jobs after the airforce about once every 6 months, a paralegal, and until recently we had a med student working on become a doctor, but he had to drop out cause he is to the point in his education where he has almost no time to sleep let alone do anything else. Then myself who is a punk/goth/emo or what ever you want to call the look, part time bartender and temp worker who is trying to get into the computer tech field.
Really by looks the only one in our group that remotely fits the stereotype is the IT nerd.
As for how I got started I got started young by my half brother when we was visiting when I was very young. I played in high school, I think mostly cause I was a tomboy and liked hanging out with guys more than girls. Mostly cause I kinda grew up in the boonies and there was no girls with in 3 years of my age above or below me with in a couple of miles walk. Lot of boys though so i learned early to play with the boys as much as they would let me or play along. When some of them got into gaming and stuff due to my half brother introducing them to it during one of his visits I got to be part of the group.
Our group consists of:
A software test analyst, a software developer, a systems manager, logistics manager, Soldier, High school teacher, Architect (building not software), and a Hydrogapher.
6 of the 8 of us have known each other for almost 20 years, the other 2 we met through the Paizo boards and those two fit in so well its like they have been our friends for the last 20 years.
We all fit bits and pieces of stereotypes but nothing specific.
In Australia sport is a religion... If you are not outside in the sun there is something wrong with you.
I used to sail, body-board and do martial arts. When I was in highschool it was Soccer or Australian Rules Football for the school and Rugby League on Saturdays.
I was ok at soccer (I found it boring), and crap at Aussie Rules (lots of fun) and Rugby.
I loved ancient history, so much so I have double major in Classics and Ancient History and a Minor in Paleoanthropology and Archaeology.
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I wish more teachers embraced RPGs, I think they could be an excellent learning tool. I got my niece and nephews involved and they are already showing an improvement in reading, math and general problem solving. If you give kids a reason to learn something it motivates them.
It is unfortunate that the nerd status is ascribed to those that play RPGs, but I think that the social climate is changing for that. I think shows like Table Top are helping that along showing that movie stars ect like to play games, and of course Vin Disel's introduction to Dungeons and Dragons changed many people's perception of the "gamer". Vin Disel talks about DnD
I guess at first glance I fit the prototypical sterotype of the gamer.
I was socialy akward in school. I was(and still can be be) terribly shy around new people. I was picked on constantly. I wear glasses. I like things like reading, sc-fi, fantasy, etc.
But as with most sterotypes...it is usualy only good for a first glance. I enjoy sports both watching and playing. I have through out my life physical labor type jobs. And once I get to know somebody or have a common interest I can be very sociable. I am also not as 'into' computers as people assume gamers are.
Personaly I don't announce I am a gamer as a introduction. Though I find a common response to it is, "Really I used to play". And a conversation about gaming in general. The negative response I get tend to be more alone the lines of "It is a waste of time" than "D&D is the Devil". Though I did have a long, interesting, and polite conversation with a priest about this subject once.
As for the groups I play with...I guess one group could be considered sterotype gamers...the other two is definitly not.