The recent poll on observing experience indicates that many of us were interested as youngens and then picked it up again in later life. As said above, young adults in general tend to look to less subtle forms of stimulation such as partying, drinking, sports and chasing women
My two favourite pastimes are astronomy and fly fishing for trout. Both of which relate to communing with nature and escaping the microcosm of daily life with its petty issues and appreciating the bigger picture.
I wonder how many people outside our hobby when away from the city even bother to look upwards at night and appreciate the beauty of the night sky?
Whatever way you cut it, I think most people outside our hobby would consider it a bit
nerdy.