I see nothing wrong in aircraft spotting as a hobby.
My own interest in aviation started as a progression from bus spotting and then train spotting. In the 1950's spotting of all varieties was common amongst youths particularly as there were a limited number of other interest available, television being for the privileged few and computer games still unheard of.
A group of us used to cycle all over the home counties from South Essex and regularly visited Stapleford, Southend, Stansted, Heathrow and I remember one epic journey that took in Stansted, Hatfield, Panshanger, Radlett and Luton all in one day by bike. The Roof Gardens at Heathrow were packed every weekend and there was always a rush to be amongst the first in to get the best viewing positions.
I still have my 1956 Ian Allen Civil Aircraft Registrations book, well thumbed and underlined and still buy each edition as it is published.
My interest in collection registrations ended when I discovered another hobby - girls! Even in the early Sixties it was not cool to be known as a spotter.
These days, however, I collect photographs and books and harbour a secret ambition to write a detailed history of Southend Airport, although I doubt that will actually happen.
Back to spotters, generally they accumulate a tremendous knowledge of their subject, which tends to be aired only amongst like types and if there was a way to channel this for the public perhaps the ridicule might cease. After all anyone with a thorough knowledge of, say Shakespeare, would'nt be considered an "anorak", but would probably appear on Mastermind as a genius.
The sad thing is that all the knowledge I have accumulated will be lost when I pass on as my children have their own lives and will consign all my "junk", as they call it, to the bin.
Still, there is hope as my two year old grandson can already recognise a contrail at 30,000 feet!
Cheers in nostalgia
Southender