I'm not sure about the people you refer to. I believe that ownership of our own sense of personal power carries a lot of weight. Maybe just show up, shrug off the naysayers and dig deeply into your hobbies. With this plan, I have seen a lot of negative people fold like a cheap suit. There is no better attestation to your power and sense of righteousness, and that is why the more shallow people back off. You'll need a thick skin though��