Firstly, I'm extremely sorry to hear that, Saj. It's an ugly social thing, basically: if you don't do what others do then you're bound to be bullied; they think you're "weird" and will poke fun at you (yeah, I've been there). However, if someone
famous and influential (such as Pablo Picasso) makes the same difference, it's suddenly a new trend. It only goes to show that humanity will only listen to you when you've proven yourself.
Which is where my past rant comes in, and which is why I got into visual media as career option in the first place. Books are wonderful things, but human beings are naturally adaptable to visual and audial retelling instead of reading, thus the "majority first appeal". Visual and audial stories artificially synthesize "experience" which even appeals to most unimaginative folks who steer clear of books and literature. The latter, however, requires some amount of dedication. Then there's also the subliminal psychology of "fearing someone knows things they don't comprehend".
Secondly, from the same post, my quote: "At the hands of a skilled writer even a man's mundane battle against his shoelace would make a masterpiece of a novella." It takes a skilled artist to paint even the most obnoxious thing as
awesome, and creative directors do that well, bringing the most obscure of literature back to the people and show them just how awesome they really are. It's no wonder a lot of people are with ya today, and all thanks to Steven Moffat and Guy Ritchie!
Thirdly,
Hipsters you say?
Lass, you aren't alone. I'm a Sherlock-hipster too (and Arsene Lupin, of course), and I also like to brag that "I liked the books first". But being a hipster is awesome in it's own way. Why? Because most people are afraid to be different, while we are brave and adventurous enough to try, and also recommend the good things than the bad things. But it pays to be a good story-teller, because that's when you get recognized. I remember being harassed by school-mates for liking odd things, but instantly gained respect when I mastered the ability to relay
why I liked stuff. Think like Captain Nemo, who has sailed the seven storms and battled vicious monsters in endless oceans; think how he'd express his adventures poetically, and you become a master at changing people's views on reality. There's an indescribable bliss in standing on the table and telling a heart-wrenching tale while every friend flock together to listen to you.
Yes, when others try something they're bullied; but when
Tushantin tries something it becomes a fad! Har hurr hurr!
And I've head quite a lot of success too! When I won the Best Dressed award in a Kurta, people started to wear it too. I was the first to try Kaspersky Internet Security, so my boss ordered packs in bulk (and abandoned the other products). I read Sherlock Holmes and Arsene Lupin, and now my friends want to follow up (even if it's a book, and they hate books). Thought made me watch Doctor Who, even if Indians haven't heard of it -- I watched it, so my friends do it too. My friends never cared about history, but through me they are now fascinated with people like Tesla, Vidocq, Worth, Pinkerton, Boudicca, etc. I used Ubuntu first, so a lot of people do it too. I was always the first to try something new and encourage people to do the same. I have somehow become a flame shedding light and influencing people around me, and it all comes down to how well you can create a spark of enthusiasm via story-telling. Body language is essential here.
And you can do it too.
Show them that your tastes are simply the best!
P.S.: Since you were considerate enough to tell us something intimate about you, I'm also obliged to share, I suppose. My embarrassment of belief, when at the age of 12, was that the star Sirius was actually a sentient being, watching my back. And I used to converse with the fella!
