Interesting perspective, with which I have some sympathy. I see this issue from both sides, to be honest. There is unquestionably much truth in what you claim here, but I don't think it wholly true or applicable in every case.

On the other hand, I only have to look at what the BBC have done to Doctor Who to see how disregarding the majority of a fan base can be a major way of shooting oneself in the foot.

For the record, I don't consider myself a "geek" or "nerd" and never have. I consider myself a cineaste, which is somewhat different, I think. My loyalty is to cinema itself, rather than any particular "nerdy" franchise (much as I enjoy several of them). So if someone does tear up the rule book to the chagrin of fans, I will support it for one reason only: If in doing so they create something equally good or better, in terms of great cinema.