Am I just a nerd? Lol! I can see the rocket launches from Vandenberg from my bedroom window and I'm geeked out every time. Everyone else is just like "hmm. Yeah."
Why aren't people more excited to witness rockets launching?
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A better question might be why the recent interest. Thru the 1990-2010, nobody cared about rocket launches. Perhaps a few people still showed up at KSC to watch Shuttle launches. The 3rd Moon trip (Apollo 13) wasn't even being broadcast until the oops occurred. Similar to the 3rd Mercury launch when Gus Grissom received no parade or media attention.
Much of the recent rocket interest seems due to SpaceX and Elon Musk. Much Elon-fandom seemed to continue from Macheads who considered themselves geniuses for recognizing Steve Jobs's genius and Apple products as superior (though pricey). Much earlier were audiophiles who claimed superior appreciation of stereo tech and ability to hear things mere-mortals couldn't. If you can't do-it, can at least claim ability as a fan. But not just SpaceX, there are many tiny rocket companies popping up every day, with stupid-money flooding to them. Hard to see a market to support them all.