The nature of geek-dom by reginaroadie

I don't know, i think its less a 'caste system' and more the general fear of the unknown. Football if more widespread and mainstream, therefore donning the warpaint and behaving like an ape is socially acceptable. Most sci-fi/computer/other fandom is, by comparison anyway, still niche, and your average guy dressed as a trekki is still exotic enough to elicite fear in the average close minded adult. So the usual impulses to cope with the fear by rejecting, ridiculing and belittling kick in.

Basically, most folks can't cope with what they don't understand, and more of them lost the ability to embrace the new long before they sold their childhood toys on ebay.

Writing this its occured to me that geeks are still guilty of that sort of thing to some extent - and the caste system is their doing (witness the trekki/trekker schism, and the fact that we all spent the whole weekend at dragon con carefully avoiding the gaming rooms) (ok, mainly for reasons of the smell, but we could have gone on the first day)

I just love 'geeks' for their honesty and joy - they are brave enough to openly admit their passions, and thankfully those passions don't freak me out (unlike the furries and the fetishists, but thats my issue) and the rest of the world can go play on a motorway in heavy traffic.

Was that bitter? That sounded bitter didn't it? Oooh, bitter, bitter, bitter.

Liverpudlian, nevermind me.

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Friday, September 8, 2006 8:25 AM

Everyone is a Geek about something. Ask an otherwise normal accountant to talk about accountancy (no don't really, it's an example, I will not be held responcible for murder) my brother is a bigger football geek than I am a FireFly geek, seriously. But his geekdom is socially acceptable, sports geeks are considered normal, thus extreme knowledge in that area is to be praised and envied, not ridiculed.

It's like a bunch of trekkies praising each other on their knowledge of which button data presses in episode 36 that is the same button Riker presses in episode 73 to do a completely different thing.

Though seriously, who doesn't find Trekkies scary? People dressing up as their favorite characters and making whoosh sounds as they walk through doors. It's the Geek equivelent of hitting yourself on the head and muttering about the voices.

They scare the hell outta me...

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Friday, September 8, 2006 8:26 AM

DAYVE

gee, i thought they just bit the heads off of chickens...

Geek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It is commonly believed that the word "geek" originates with side-show "circus geeks" — performers at carnivals who swallow various live animals, live insects, and so forth. Sometimes this would extend to biting the heads off of chickens or other small livestock.[

Many lexicographers source geek to an Americanism of Shakespeare's 16th century word, geck, originally of Middle Saxon (Germanic) origin; meaning "fool" or "an object of scorn; a dupe"

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Friday, September 8, 2006 8:42 AM

well, yes, the trekkis scare me to, but then so do accountants.

ah, the sideshow geek - wierd wierd things that people can be paid to do.

I have always said we need to reclaim the word 'geek' - the way black people have reclaimed nigger (sorry, 'niggaz') and homosexuals have reclaimed fag and gay.

I reckon we should have campains and and buttons and banners emblazoned with 'GEEK PRIDE' and one weekend in the year we should get women to dance in virtually nothing while parading up and down in bright costumes selling overpriced souvenirs and generally getting in the way of traffic.

Ah, we already do that don't we? its called a con.

well... carry on...

no, i think Geek Pride is still do able, we need patchs buttons and net banners, in a years time i don't want a single trekki whooshing through a dorway without a geek pride patch sewn to his butt.

Its time we rose up and stood our ground against our mainstream opressors! It time that we let the world know that we are proud to be who we are! Its time that i shut up and got on with my sewing.

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Friday, September 8, 2006 8:44 AM

ADAMWANKENOBI

Quote:
Is what I'm saying making any sense to you guys?

Does that seem right to you?

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Friday, September 8, 2006 8:46 AM

FUTUREMRSFILLION

I feel yet another tshirt coming on..............
Firefly Geek - We aim to Geek.....hmmmm I will have to work on it.

----
Bestower of Titles, Designer of Tshirts, Maker of Mottos, Keeper of the Pyre

I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

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Friday, September 8, 2006 9:02 AM

I'm a geek and I'm proud to be one.

Have been one since I sprouted up taller than the boys in first grade and donned my horn rimmed glasses in fourth. And got straight A's most of the time in school-OK, I had a few B's now and then if I slacked off.

I've always had my nose in a book and even read the encyclopedia when I had read everything else. Was the first in my family to touch a computer.

Now I perm my Cher straight hair curly, wear contact lenses and dress semi-fashionably, for a middle aged woman, but at heart I'm still a geek and now I proudly wear the name-FIREFLY/SERENITY GEEK!

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Friday, September 8, 2006 9:06 AM

We'll take the Galaticans and the Browncoats, but we don't want the Trekkies

.

Geek Pride sounds dangerous, someone might start a fight...

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Friday, September 8, 2006 11:56 AM

SHINYHAPPYKLIN

This is exactly what I'm doing my doctoral research on! There are all sorts of power structure and social stratification models going on between different types of fandoms (sports vs scifi vs soaps, for instance), as well as in scifi fandom itself.

I'm starting by doing several studies of Browncoats (since I know it well and we're a young, relatively well-connected group), focusing primarily on our innovative uses of technology and our "prosumer" (we create what we consume) underground economy (since its hard to get what we want from Fox/'Versal!).

I'm hoping to redo a famous study of fandom (Bainbridge's "Dimensions of Science Fiction") as my dissertation, taking into account the interrelationships between ALL fandoms, which I believe have only increased as our uses of technology have grown, and hoping to show just how much economic and yes, even social and political power this group as a whole has, especially fandom's influence on technology development and media distribution models.

What this all means is, Geek Pride? HELL YEAH! I was just thinking about making a logo on the way home from D*C, and I do have a site set up for my research projects (I'm just setting up the first one this week!) called thegeekchorus.com

Stay tuned for updates and ways to get your fan voice heard!

"We gotta go to that crappy town where I'M a hero..."
_______________________________
Shiny stuff for Browncoats at:
http://www.cafepress.com/outtotheblack
http://www.outtotheblack.com

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Friday, September 8, 2006 3:28 PM

Geek Pride! Hell yeah! I like that, unfortunetly it carries Team America overtones and now i have puppet sex images in my head.

get it out! get it out! get it out!

I really wanted to set up a cafe press shop selling really girly browncoat bits - t-shirts and bags and stuff with japanese prints and floral motifs with inara and Kaylee themes, 'cause basically, all of the stuff available at the moment could stand to be a bit prettier. You have the companion range (of which i intend to own a bit one day when i'm not poor) but thats the most feminine i've seen.

I like girly, i'm a girl, so sue me!

and a a sideline, sell FFF.Net, Serenitree, special branch, and hidy/nook patches t's badges and stuff as people wanted them, but i've no idea how it works, or of start up costs or what ever, and basically wouldn't have the capital. But i could get started on the designs, and if someone wanted to incorporate them into their site.

And it would be the perfect opportunity to do Geek Pride stuff, 'cause i really like that idea.

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Friday, September 8, 2006 4:02 PM

Geeks...
Geeks…
Geeks, FRACK YEAH!
Coming again, to save the mother fracking day yeah,
Geeks, FRACK YEAH!
Geekdom is the only way yeah,
TV executives your game is through cause now you have to answer too,
Geeks, FRACK YEAH!
So lick my Teal'c, and suck on my Gahg,
Geeks, FRACK YEAH!
What you going to do when we beam to you now,
It’s the shows that we all share; it’s the hope for tomorrow

FRACK YEAH!

Firefly, FRACK YEAH!
Babylon 5, FRACK YEAH!
Farscape, FRACK YEAH!
Star Trek, FRACK YEAH!
Star Wars, FRACK YEAH!
Stargate, FRACK YEAH!
Battlestar Galactica, FRACK YEAH!
Battlestar 1980, *cough*

FRACK YEAH!

Coffee, FRACK YEAH!
Sci Fi Channel, FRACK YEAH!
Pro Plus, FRACK YEAH!
Costumes, FRACK YEAH!
Snack Foods, FRACK YEAH!
Cola, FRACK YEAH!
Forehead ridges, FRACK YEAH!
Parents Basement, FRACK YEAH!
The Internet, FRACK YEAH!

FRACK YEAH!

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Friday, September 8, 2006 4:08 PM

YINYANG

You were busy trying to get yourself lit on fire. It happens.

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
Geeks...
Geeks…
Geeks, FRACK YEAH!
Coming again, to save the mother fracking day yeah,
Geeks, FRACK YEAH!
Geekdom is the only way yeah,
TV executives your game is through cause now you have to answer too,
Geeks, FRACK YEAH!
So lick my Teal'c, and suck on my Gahg,
Geeks, FRACK YEAH!
What you going to do when we beam to you now,
It’s the shows that we all share; it’s the hope for tomorrow

FRACK YEAH!

Firefly, FRACK YEAH!
Babylon 5, FRACK YEAH!
Farscape, FRACK YEAH!
Star Trek, FRACK YEAH!
Star Wars, FRACK YEAH!
Stargate, FRACK YEAH!
Battlestar Galactica, FRACK YEAH!
Battlestar 1980, *cough*

FRACK YEAH!

Coffee, FRACK YEAH!
Sci Fi Channel, FRACK YEAH!
Pro Plus, FRACK YEAH!
Costumes, FRACK YEAH!
Snack Foods, FRACK YEAH!
Cola, FRACK YEAH!
Forehead ridges, FRACK YEAH!
Parents Basement, FRACK YEAH!
The Internet, FRACK YEAH!

FRACK YEAH!

::claps for citizen's cool poem-y song-like thing::

---
http://richlabonte.net/tvvote

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Friday, September 8, 2006 4:28 PM

FLORALBUNNY

Can't you just imagine citizen's words being
sung by a costumed chorus on the stage of the
Geek Theatre?

bun
9/19 Arrrrrrh!
9/20 Happy Birthday, Captain Mal!!
9/30 Happy AnniVersary, BDM!!!
==We aim to exponentiate==

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Friday, September 8, 2006 5:16 PM

PEULSAR5

We sniff the air, we don't kiss the dirt.

Citizen: PREACH ON, PREACH ON!!!

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Friday, September 8, 2006 7:19 PM

I guess you could have a geek festival. Not just a "con", but a festival for all sorts of geeks. I think some geeks want to be quite about their geekness. Is that a word? So you may a select group who show up. Does a guy who paints his body for a sporting event consider himself a geek? There are probably people who just don't realize they are a geek.

I have been a geek for a number of years but don't really parade it around much. Sometimes someone at work sees one of my gaming rule books and asks what it is. I tell them. They go "Oh", and walk away. I don't have anything to hide, I just don't make a big deal about it. I suppose you could presuade me to go to geek fest. But I actually don't like crowds so I would probably leave early.

But Citizen said something about accountants. This is a job. It needs someone to do it. A company would not last long without them. So geeks, if you consider accountants, engineers, various other jobs as geeks, play an important role in our society. It would be nice to have a festival in their honor.

But again, if you called an accountant a geek, they may look at you like your nuts.

So in my long winded way, I guess that is one sign of geekness, I'm asking how many people realize they are geeks?

Traveler

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Friday, September 8, 2006 11:22 PM

I have to say, the idea of closeted geeks never occured to me. I've known i was a nerd since my first crush on David Duchovney. Probably earlier than that, since i spent most of my childhood addicted to the sci-fi flavoured cartoons and Dr Who and stuff.

Citizen, should we ever get the geek pride thing off the ground. That is becoming the anthem.

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Friday, September 8, 2006 11:43 PM

Seryn, I think we are part of some odd UK cloning programme. David Duchovney...

Yeah, I was the 'weird girl' all through school, and pretty much college. I always wanted to run a branch of Forbidden Planet, or something, or as a friend put it, 'be brood mother to a geek farm', so I think i'd be a candidate for a badge.

There's a quote from Douglas Copeland, about nerds and geeks. Nerd implies social disfunction, geek implies social disfunction but with techno-skills and economic power.

sod it...I think I'm a nerd.

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Friday, September 8, 2006 11:47 PM

you can turn on the computer and work a credit card - i'd say that gives you techno skill and economic power.

but hell, nerds, geeks, dweebs... all are welcome.

I forgot to say, that no, a guy getting out the body paint doesn't consider himself a geek, infact, he'd probably hurt you just for implying it. I dislike football geeks, they don't get to join.

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 12:39 AM

I don't think of sports types as geeks. They are some sort of sub-species. homo numbskullus or something.

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 3:33 AM

hell yeah!

Now, This one had to be bought out and shown to the world.

Everybody - say thank you Arcadia.

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 3:56 AM

FELLOWTRAVELER

I think it's a numbers game. I find it difficult to think of any minority group that isn't somewhat abhorred by the mainstream. The smaller the niche, the more they are castigated.

And nobody is above it. Even among sports fans, the casual fan greatly outnumbers the body painter. So the body painter is looked upon with some apprehension. Even here. Sports fans are a minority among Firefly fans (at least in this thread) so they are viewed with a healthy dose of contempt. And, I might note, that contempt is encouraged.

So, don't pine for validation from the unwashed masses and take comfort in the knowledge that we are all detested by someone for something. Ahhh, SportsCenter is on...

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 4:57 AM

yes, you are right, but i have to stand up for my self on the footbal fan case and say that my contempt of the footie fans coms not from their being unknown, or minority, or fearing them, but rather follows the 'familiarity breeds contempt' rule - i live near far to many of them, and regularly have my ability to get on with my life in peace messed about with by the idiots and their stupidity.

i'll not start the ranting.

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 5:06 AM

I will. Being trapped on a bus because of the number of football fans blocking the street, who then start rocking it from side to side, because two stupid tarts are flashing their tits out of the window. Everyone, including the driver is screaming at them to stop it, because there are too many of the fans for anyone to control, and if they got on the bus...

As I've stated in another thread, I once intimidated a couple of would-be muggers on the Underground. Here, I was scared. It was one of those cases where the individuals have become a mindless mob. I am not in favour of anything that takes away free will or individuality.

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 5:13 AM

SAFEAT2ND

Here's the only problem I see with this. Currently we have been discussing "geeks" based on the stereo-type. And while there may be a fair amount that fit that stereo-type, there are some that don't.

In high school (cough..80's...cough) I was considered a bit of a geek. I was gawky. I dabbled in Dungeons and Dragons and longed to be part of the "in" crowd but was also on the swim team, track team and in the band. I was a big fan of Battlestar Galactica, Space 1999, Doctor Who and Star Wars, not enough to dress up though.

I finally realized I didn't need to fit in, and did my own thing. Got to university and finally grew out of gawky and into a semi-muscular man, thanks to the university weight room and having friends on the football (not soccer) team.

I'm a big time sports nut and can tell you the ins and outs of professional Hockey (must be my Canadian blood) and Baseball. I spend most nights on the diamond playing softball. I can also tear apart a car engine and rebuild it.

So... am I a geek? Or a jock? Or a gearhead?

__________________________________________________
"Stop doing that thing"
"What thing"
"That thing where your mouth moves and noise comes out"

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 5:18 AM

You're a Browncoat, gorramit!

I think when someone becomes so obsessed with one thing that they cannot function outside of it, AND THEN they start to wail on anyone who does not share their proclivities, that is when the issues arise.

You just sound like a well-rounded human being. (Apart from the Canadian thing, but meh...

)

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 5:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by safeat2nd:
Here's the only problem I see with this. Currently we have been discussing "geeks" based on the stereo-type. And while there may be a fair amount that fit that stereo-type, there are some that don't.

Not really, I thought we were saying a geek was someone who had an obsessive amount of knowledge in a particular subject, thus it's not really a stereotype but a discription.

Personally I'm a computer Geek (do it for work), a martial arts Geek and so on.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 6:36 AM

SAFEAT2ND

I hear that Citizen, problem is, there are too many people that don't see the distinction between stereo-type and description.

That's where I like the Browncoats. They come from all walks of life and for the most part are very open minded and accepting of others. They don't fit the stereo-type. At least not to my veiw of it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is no exclusivity like there is is some of the other fanbases.

__________________________________________________
"Stop doing that thing"
"What thing"
"That thing where your mouth moves and noise comes out"

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 7:26 AM

SHINYHAPPYKLIN

Quote:
Originally posted by safeat2nd:
I hear that Citizen, problem is, there are too many people that don't see the distinction between stereo-type and description.

That's where I like the Browncoats. They come from all walks of life and for the most part are very open minded and accepting of others. They don't fit the stereo-type. At least not to my veiw of it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is no exclusivity like there is is some of the other fanbases.

I would agree, Browncoats do appear to be a wide and varied lot. However, in the interest of fairness and trying not to be looking at the world through Brown-colored glasses, I'm curious as to your last statement that "there is no exclusivity like there is in some of the other fanbases."

Which fanbases are you thinking of here? What about the rest of you? Which fanbases do you see as being either intentionally exclusive or unintentionally exclusive (that is, you simply abhor them or find them disturbing and more geeky than you can tolerate)?

I'm just curious, because there is so much crossover in this fandom, and a lot of us came from other fandoms (and still participate in some ways in them). As much as we find the sports fan a bit odd and annoying, we also seem to feel that way about others who are more "in our circle", as it were, and I wonder why.

Yes, I'm as guilty of it as anyone...I'm just trying to step back and take an objective look at it as a researcher, and it is hard sometimes!

"We gotta go to that crappy town where I'M a hero..."
_______________________________
Shiny stuff for Browncoats at:
http://www.cafepress.com/outtotheblack
http://www.outtotheblack.com

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 7:35 AM

I tend to talk a lot in terms of steroetypes, mainly cause I can, I find them amusing, I love the contradictions inherant in stereotypes, and take a perverse joy in annoying people, especially the PC brigade.

I mean i'll refer to myself as a geek and oten play on the stereotype, but I'm obviously not steretypical - I have boobs for starters. I can also wax lyrical about shoes and handbags, I've excellent social skills (even with dyslexia making sentences problematic) and i'm a very girly girl.

I'm a sci-fi geek, but i couldn't tell you what happened in whatever episode of whatever show, or what so and so name was, I don't wear show t-shirts or whatever, I don't know anything about computers beyond 'it pushes the buttons and the lights go on'and i date.

ok, used to date.

my standards are too high for Liverpool.

I'm also a costume geek. In fact i'm more likely to talk your hind leg off about the progression of fashionable silhouettes from the georgians throught the romantic era to the mid 19th c. and the influence of social and political happenings on it. or the randomness of metric flat drafting instructions in such and such a book, or the body fascism that can be seen today and whether its more or less healthy than the cult of the corset. Or the total lack of availability in materials in this area...

are you getting the picture?

but i still count myself as a geek. Wheather thats because i'm being contrary, or taking delight in provoking reactions, or still needing to separate myself from peers or championing the underdog (all of which i do a lot) or what i don't know.

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 7:54 AM

Well as I said before I've been a geek for a long time. Even before high school. Graduated in 1970. So now you know your hearing from a pretty old geek. The term geek and nerd did not exist back then. So the term geek is rather new to me.

I think geeks have good values. We understand our own differences and become more tolerant of other's differences. Well, that has been my case.

I can't prove it, but I imagine people like the Wright Brothers were probably the geeks of their time. Spending countless hours developing an airplane. Actually having to invent the instruments to test their theories because these instruments did not exist. That's quit a passion.

This is my second fansite. The other one I belonged to closed down. To much spam. I have been into science fiction from a very early age. I think it is because their are no boundries. You just have your imagination. I find people who are apart of this very intellegent. I may be biased about that. But some of the conversations I've had on this site have been very mind opening. I have learned a lot since becoming a member. This thread is a excellent example. I hope you don't think I'm laying it on to thick, because it is true.

So after another long winded post I'm saying geeks contribute a lot. Some are motorheads, some have plastic model cars all over their house, Some watch a favorite TV program like Firefly. We all don't invent airplanes, but football fans are not all trouble makers.

I had to put that last one in there because I'm a Green Bay Packer fan. But I do understand why some dislike sports fans. I have been pretty angry at some of their behavior myself. Someone killed the dog of one of our Packer coaches because of a loosing season. That is not geekness. That is insane.

So I don't parade it, but I feel some self-esteem belonging to this description. I am not the brightess bulb in the pack, but I like to think I contribute.

Traveler

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 8:38 AM

REGINAROADIE

One fanbase that I find oddly exclusive and at times vindictive are the hardcore STAR WARS fans. As much as I love the STAR WARS movies, it's really the fanbase that has kinda turned me off of the franchise. Or at least has me waiting for the 30th anniversary DVD's to come out rather than the limited editions coming out on Tuesday that have the original versions on there.

See, I just turned 21. I was 11 when the original movies were rereleased in theatres. I had only seen the true originals only a handful of times. So when I saw the newer versions, I wasn't crying over the fact that Greedo shot first and not Han (which to this day seems like a minor detail to create such a big stink over), or that they cleaned up some of the fx or had moving dewbacks in the background. It was still STAR WARS to me. Same with the prequels. My only complaint about any of the prequels was that the kid that played young Anakin in EP 1 was a terrible actor. That's it.

But the majority of STAR WARS fans basically turned bashing the prequels into a blood sport. Even with EP 3 when Anakin slaughtered the padawans, that wasn't enough. And if you actually speak up and say that you actually LIKED the prequels, they look at you as if you wen't over to the Dark Side.

I dunno, maybe it's a generational thing. I was at the comic store I frequent this week talking to the owner about STAR WARS, and he talked about how the little kids come in and actually get excited about the Jar Jar figures they have there and the figures of the newer flicks and all that. So I'm happy that there are people out there who don't consider the prequels blasphemous.

The point is, if you're looking for a fanbase that's intentionally exclusive, that's one right there.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There's only one "Return" ok, and it ain't "of the King", it's "of the Jedi."

"Maybe we should start calling your friend 'Padme' because he loves 'Mannequin Skywalker' so much, Right? (imitating robot) Danger...danger...my name is Anakin...my shitty acting is ruining saga."

Excerpt of internet teaser for CLERKS 2.

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 9:59 AM

ADAMWANKENOBI

Quote:
But the majority of STAR WARS fans basically turned bashing the prequels into a blood sport. Even with EP 3 when Anakin slaughtered the padawans, that wasn't enough. And if you actually speak up and say that you actually LIKED the prequels, they look at you as if you wen't over to the Dark Side.

The primary problem with those types of fans is that they've grown up, while the films have not. As they grew, they expected the prequel films to suit their newfound tastes and expectations.

Quote:
We understand our own differences and become more tolerant of other's differences.

But Star Wars fans on the other hand...

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Saturday, September 9, 2006 12:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by traveler:

I can't prove it, but I imagine people like the Wright Brothers were probably the geeks of their time. Spending countless hours developing an airplane. Actually having to invent the instruments to test their theories because these instruments did not exist. That's quit a passion.

All inventors and entreprenurs are geeks to some extent-Edison staying in his lab all hours, working on or directing work on all sorts of neat technology for it's time, from the light bulb to the phonograph or Bill Gates (not going to say a word) making the computer acessible to millions or Steve Jobs over at Apple.

Geeks seem to have a dogged persistance approaching obsessiveness and curiosity about things. That what seems to set us apart from other people.

I once saw a sign that said, (paraphrasing) "Be nice to a geek, you'll eventually end up working for him/or her".

Traveler

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Sunday, September 10, 2006 9:07 AM

TWITCH

This whole thread is fascinating. I especially laughed at the whole tie-in to obsessiveness. Luke Jackson, a young writer from the UK with Asperger's Syndrome, posed a good question: When is an obsession not an obsession? When it has to do with football. Of course he was talking about this in regard to AS, but its equally applicable to this discussion as well.

It's already been pointed out, but everyone really does geek out on something, be it sports, sci fi, anime, cars, or what have you. As one of my co-workers is fond of pointing out, it takes all kinds.

To be honest, its the ones who DON'T geek out on something that really really scare me.

And regarding the Wright Brothers: They were beyond geeks and on into outcast heretics. Keep in mind the director of the Smithsonian Institute was their only other real competition. He was director of the Smithsonian and an established scientist. They owned a bicycle shop. Langley was allowed to dream big. Socially, Orville and Wilbur Wright were not.

-- Twitch

A computer geek, a metalworking geek, a robotics geek, a photography geek, a book geek, and one who dreams of shipping out on Serenity. To Luke: Sorry, no football. But somehow I bet you're OK with that.

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Sunday, September 10, 2006 1:12 PM

ODDSBODSKINS

so, from this then, you guys are looking to geek as being defined by certain specialist knowledge, rather then a societal group?

which is interesting ^^

don't know, wouldn't really describe myself as a geek, but then, wouldn't describe myself as anything much else either. i'm not anything specific, i just have tendancy's

oooh, also, while i think of it, the sports thing, in scotland, football is big, but it isn't so much the sports as it is the bigotry that keeps the turnstyle's ticking, it's a life-style, and frequently religious, choice, that comes with it's own ready-made enemies.
_______
jailbait.

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Sunday, September 10, 2006 1:47 PM

so the questions not really 'are you a geek' but more 'whats your geekism?'

I heard the funniest wrd the other day, can't remember where already, but it was 'Nerdgasm' for those moments of indescribable pleasure when you find a mint copy of a rare comic, or a whole collection of boxed starwars collectables, or wake up to discover that the sci-fi channel is doing a Firefly marathon on your day off.

I thought is was hilarious.

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Sunday, September 10, 2006 2:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by twitch:
This whole thread is fascinating. I especially laughed at the whole tie-in to obsessiveness. Luke Jackson, a young writer from the UK with Asperger's Syndrome, posed a good question: When is an obsession not an obsession? When it has to do with football. Of course he was talking about this in regard to AS, but its equally applicable to this discussion as well.

It's already been pointed out, but everyone really does geek out on something, be it sports, sci fi, anime, cars, or what have you. As one of my co-workers is fond of pointing out, it takes all kinds.

To be honest, its the ones who DON'T geek out on something that really really scare me.

My daughter "has" AS and I've seen some obsessive tendancies in myself so I know exactly what you are taking about. To use the classic mental health defination, it's an obsession if it interfers with your life. But then where is that point?

IMHO, like you say, everyone geeks out over something but few people are quite as obsessive about their love as are true geeks.

This is the first time I've really geeked out about something if you don't count horses when I was little so this subject is very fascinating to me.

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Monday, September 11, 2006 1:31 PM

TWITCH

I could argue the point that hard core sports fanatics DO let their... ahem... "interest" interfere with their lives. Except that their definition of life includes obsessing about sports, so it becomes circular in a hurry. As you say, where is that point?

If you geeked out on horses when you were little, Firefly must be a double-whammy for you. Space ships AND horses. Can't beat it.

-- Twitch

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Monday, September 11, 2006 4:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by twitch:

If you geeked out on horses when you were little, Firefly must be a double-whammy for you. Space ships AND horses. Can't beat it.

-- Twitch

Yep, I was a horse nut and I still am to a certain extent. Knew everything about most breeds (devoured every book I could get my hands on) and the best time of year was the Triple Crown races, drew horrible looking horses (I have NO artistic talent) and planned elaborate horse farms. Even talked my parents into a couple of riding lessons.

Actually it's a triple whammy with Firefly, horses, space ships and a cast that obviously enjoyed every second of what they created and a show that didn't assume that I was dumb. I'm still finding things in the BDS and BDM that I haven't seen before even after seeing them all more than 10-20 times.

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Monday, September 11, 2006 4:46 PM

What finally sealed my fate as a true geek is what happened at my book club. We read anything and everything. I suggested Shakespeare. You could hear a pin drop.

Oh to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Traveler

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Monday, September 11, 2006 4:59 PM

My jaw dropped a few weeks ago when I saw my daugher watching a show on BBC America. It was a production of "Midsummers Night Dream" in contemporary dress. I had no idea she liked Shakespeare too.

One thing happened to me to make me realize I really was a geek.

When I was first introduced to Firefly by my daughter, after first watching all the DVD's and seeing how much I enjoyed it she told me to "embrace your inner geek." She may have Aspargers and love the computer more than actual people but she does have some good insights sometimes.

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Monday, September 11, 2006 5:06 PM

Hello Ncbrowncoat:

Now I am a jealous geek. What a wonderful daughter you have.

Traveler

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Monday, September 11, 2006 5:25 PM

Thanks, traveler

If I can get her through her senior year of high school and actually get the diploma in hand, get her through some sort of college where you don't have to take pesky classes like Composition and she can type on a computer all day and make a decent amount of money I'll be a happy camper.LOL

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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 10:02 AM

FELLOWTRAVELER

Quote:
Originally posted by shinyhappyklin:
...As much as we find the sports fan a bit odd and annoying...

Wow, you've really got my number... And drunk, you forgot drunk!

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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 11:31 AM

i recently encountered a whole new set of geeks -Chess geeks - they're holding the european championship or something in the museum, so loots of very dowdily dress furtive middle aged men keep wandering in and out of the building.

Is it wrong that old geeks surprise me?

http://www.myspace.com/seryndippyt

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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 1:02 PM

What's even funnier is that Shakespeare was entertainment for the masses. It wasn't for the Kings and Queens, Shakespeare wrote for the great unwashed masses covered in sh*t and humming in the pit.

The whole intellectual slant seems to be added by people with a copy of Shakespeare's collected works inserted where only customs men dare to probe and an overwhelming desire to prove they really are clever because they understand 16th century English.

Hamlet:
16th Century Die Hard. (Yipee-Ki-yay Laertes)

Midsummer Nights Dream:
American Pie. (If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, we all got laid, cool!)

I wonder if they'll be teaching American Pie to bored school children in 500 years time?

"And what is Stiffners motivation in this scene?"
"To get laid sir?"
"Very good Jenkins, at least SOMEONE's been paying attention, start up Boybot!"

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Tuesday, September 12, 2006 1:05 PM