Interesting discussion. I think you may be right about a generational thing. In our generation fandom is/was geeky almost by definition. The people who admitted to being into, say, Star Trek didn't expect to be "cool." But I think the internet may have changed that somewhat. Today, it's so easy for so many people to connect with so many others about so many things that it's not just "geeks" doing it anymore, so there may be more of a mainstream popularity vibe. (In a way, it might be analogous to newspaper personals vs. contemporary internet dating.)