I've heard FAR more hand-wringing about this issue than I have actual issues. You hate it, a few other people hate it -- but I'm unconvinced its a big deal.
Actually, DragonCon, the canonical example of a huge, popular, new fandom event, completely embraces the idea of fans being 'freaks' and 'freaking the mundanes', going out of its way to parade through the streets of the town in costume etc. Given the prevalence of cosplay in younger fandom, I can see the attitude getting a resurgence.
Seriously, I find this particular attitude annoying myself when its in a self-conscious, defensive, way -- but I don't actually think that attitude is the problem with attracting younger fans to fandom, or even with bringing people into fandom at all. The people that are likely to be serious recruits to fandom are the people who are attracted to it being weird looking, even self-consciously.
The Mundanes issue
Actually, DragonCon, the canonical example of a huge, popular, new fandom event, completely embraces the idea of fans being 'freaks' and 'freaking the mundanes', going out of its way to parade through the streets of the town in costume etc. Given the prevalence of cosplay in younger fandom, I can see the attitude getting a resurgence.
Seriously, I find this particular attitude annoying myself when its in a self-conscious, defensive, way -- but I don't actually think that attitude is the problem with attracting younger fans to fandom, or even with bringing people into fandom at all. The people that are likely to be serious recruits to fandom are the people who are attracted to it being weird looking, even self-consciously.