Nerdy Norsemen

[ace_of_something]

Why are nerds so fascinated with Norse myth?

More lately than normal I feel like people a constantly talking about Norse myth. But what is it about Norse that fascinates people so? There?s Greek, Egyptian, Chinese, and Slavic to name a few. But what?s so awesome about Norse?

My name is Thor and lately I get compliments on my name left and right. This has not happened especially in the last year. Did a movie or something come out that I missed that made people get interested in Viking lore or what?

And what the hell while we're here name a favorite legend, character, or otherwise from norse mythology? Or another pantheon that you find interesting.

 

[AmrasCalmacil]

You're named Thor?
Awesome!

That aside - Norse gods probably appeal due to the fact they're disfunctional and far more whacky than other pantheons, you'd never find the christian God dressing up as a woman in order to get his hammer back by marrying the Giant King, would you?

 

[Pandalisk]

The Norse have an interesting Mythology and can pride themselves on being a thorn in the side of everyone like the bastards they were.

Im not sure why people near you seem to discuss Norse all the time, but I'm sure its not because they find other mythology paling in comparison, all races on this planet have very interesting backgrounds.

And being named Thor is so cool, i wish i was called Odin.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Well the Norse were just so awesome. Sure the Greeks had Hercules and the Egyptians had Anubus but the Norse had THOR! GOD OF LIGHTNING! In Norse mythology it was Thor did most of the asskicking. Not to mention theres a marvel superhero called Thor, who is the real God of Lightning. Thor is a great name anyway.

My favourite? Hmmm Tyr. God of Justice. He lost his hand to the great wolf Fenris and in the end of the world he got the bastard back

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

I never noticed they loved norse mythology (wait, I said They)
well, there was Too Human, and I'm told Max Payne (Movie) had links to norse myth

 

[Beltom]

Disfunctional gods are always more interesting than nice benevolent ones.
As for favourite legend, i'll go with the one where Thor goes fishing for Jormundgar(sp?) the world serpent. Who else goes fishing with a bull's head as bait?

 

[Vulkan]

Because it's just cool. It's most likely a passing fad/meme with everyone that will fade out or some one will decide to create the church of Thor.. One of the two

 

[ace_of_something]

Actually, I've noticed a lot of it on this website. Any thread that goes into mythology or 'things that aren't real' brings up Odin or Thor multiple times.

 

[Pariah87]

Well as a Heathen/Asartru whatever you want to call it, I've always found Norse mythology interesting, aswell as the mythology and folklore from most North Western Europe.

In reply to your question though, look at the films that have come out over the past few years, Beowulf, Pathfinder, 13th Warrior, Valhalla Rising/Calling can't remember off the top of my head. Vikings are the in thing right now. Think back to when the Mummy first came out, there was a wave of Egyptian mythology lovers.

Also, look at it from another angle. Most Nerds are, by our own admission, socially inept, generally not very strong etc etc (of course there are exceptions I may be socially inept but I'm damn strong lol) and Vikings are generally seen as F'ing badass, so they gravitate towards what they wish they could be. It's kinda like why do people love apocalypse style games so much, because in that world the social order is destroyed and they are the one holding an auto shotgun whilst the people who used to mock them slur the word "Braaaiiinnnns"

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Because it's just cool. It's most likely a passing fad/meme with everyone that will fade out or some one will decide to create the church of Thor.. One of the two

you obviously never read Marvel 2099

 

[OniSuika]

I like mythology in general, I just like Norse mythology doubly so because any religion cool enough for Vikings is cool enough for me.

 

[blipblop]

I never noticed they loved norse mythology (wait, I said They)
well, there was Too Human, and I'm told Max Payne (Movie) had links to norse myth

yeah max payne was in finland and it´s the name of the drug valkyria that came from the norse mythology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyria and that was in the game too

OP: beucase our history is realy cool

 

[iron codpiece]

I always thought it was odd that Loki was a 'trickster' tricksters don't usually cause the apocolypse or fuck animals.

I never noticed they loved norse mythology (wait, I said They)
well, there was Too Human, and I'm told Max Payne (Movie) had links to norse myth

yeah max payne was in finland and it´s the name of the drug valkyria that came from the norse mythology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyria

OP: beucase our history is realy cool

Well obviously. Nice name. My friend's late brother was also named Magnus. I've always liked that name

 

[pffh]

Well the Norse were just so awesome. Sure the Greeks had Hercules and the Egyptians had Anubus but the Norse had THOR! GOD OF LIGHTNING! In Norse mythology it was Thor did most of the asskicking. Not to mention theres a marvel superhero called Thor, who is the real God of Lightning. Thor is a great name anyway.

My favourite? Hmmm Tyr. God of Justice. He lost his hand to the great wolf Fenris and in the end of the world he got the bastard back

You're confusing wolves, true Tyr lost his hand to Fenrir but he fights and loses to the wolf Garmur in Ragnarok (although he does stab the bastards in the heart after being swallowed).

Because it's just cool. It's most likely a passing fad/meme with everyone that will fade out or some one will decide to create the church of Thor.. One of the two

Actually in Iceland you can worship the Aesir there are even gatherings called Blot, I should know I'm a member of that religion.

Also bah the escapist won't accept my Icelandic letters so I can't write any names properly

 

[blipblop]

I always thought it was odd that Loki was a 'trickster' tricksters don't usually cause the apocolypse or fuck animals.

I never noticed they loved norse mythology (wait, I said They)
well, there was Too Human, and I'm told Max Payne (Movie) had links to norse myth

yeah max payne was in finland and it´s the name of the drug valkyria that came from the norse mythology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyria

OP: beucase our history is realy cool

Well obviously. Nice name. My friend's late brother was also named Magnus. I've always liked that name

oh thanks, well now I´m of to do what all norsemen do on a saturday drink some mead and pillage england

 

[Takoto]

I've started looking into Norse Mythology It's pretty cool.

 

[Tossth Esalad]

Being a Dane, I propably hear more about the Norse mythology than the average person, though I can't say it's gotten more attention lately.

Personally I prefer the Greek pantheon and general mythos, but on the other hand, pretty much every pre-christian beleif system, had a pantheon rife with incest, drinking and murder (Zeus transforming into a white bull, and there after having sex with Europa; Isis reassembling her husband/brother, Osiris, after Set had torn him to peices, and much, much more).

I do undrestand the admiration af the viking age, hell I've even been known to drink mead from a drinking horn, but unless you actually researched it (or attended history lessons at a skandinavian school, like me), odds are you're misinformed.

Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered that most of the world is interested in the cultural heritage of 20-odd million people (the population of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden combined), and I don't think it'll go away any time soon.

 

[BuckminsterF]

If I'm not mistaken (I probably am) the norse god of love rides in the flying ship Skidbladneer that fits in her pocket and is pulled by cats.

 

[Zimbum]

Uh, they have vikings? Vikings are awesome. Thor is the coolest god ever.

 

[Toaster Hunter]

RAGNOROK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most awesome apocalypse ever!

Amen to that, brother. All-Father Odin needs brave warriors by his side for the end times.