tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post7393865465101480949..comments2023-12-19T04:12:32.979+00:00Comments on Alphabetti Spaghetti: Geeks are coolJohnny Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post-45471923361972037512013-06-28T12:06:05.452+01:002013-06-28T12:06:05.452+01:00Maybe this is a middle-ground?
Be a geek and a ne...Maybe this is a middle-ground?<br /><br /><a href="http://youtu.be/72XAXiyXf-k" rel="nofollow">Be a geek and a nerd: Jim Kakalios at Convocation 2009</a><br /><br />:)Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post-25605720797112077642012-09-28T10:19:32.469+01:002012-09-28T10:19:32.469+01:00Villane said:
"...I think it is that word th...Villane said:<br /><br />"...I think it is that word that bothers me. If you look at Merriam-Webster, the first definition for "geek" (circus freak) has quite a negative connotation, and as far as I know, it's the original meaning of the word. The second definition (disliked intellectual) is closer to the meaning we are talking about, but is still quite negative. The last definition (enthusiast in a field) is what I would associate myself with without a problem, and even the previous one to a degree, but I think that often when the word is used, especially by non-geeks, the negative connotations of the other definitions are still in the air, although I guess less and less so as time goes on...."<br /><br />THIS.^<br /><br />Maybe it's because I'm American, maybe it's because I'm... well... older than you, but man, the word "geek" was ALWAYS a straight-up INSULT when I was growing up, and still was until really recently. "Geek" means someone who is physically unattractive and/or awkward, as well as some kind of freak. When I'm am called a geek, I clench my teeth and say "Excuse me, but I have NEVER bitten the head off a live chicken, no matter how hammered I was. *I* am a NERD, thank you VERY much." Because "nerd" has always meant a really smart, studious person who happens to also like "weird stuff" like Star Trek and Hammer vampire movies. "Nerd" was/is often tossed around as a kind of insult, but it was usually said by people who were secretly jealous of how smart you were; "geek" is just another way of saying "dork" or "lamewad" or "wanker". At least it is to me. I guess Young Nerdfolk have embraced the word and taken it back, the way Pagans did with "witch" and LGBT folk have with "queer", but it just brings back too many bad schoolday memories for me.<br /><br />So yeah, I got married on the bridge of the Enterprise D, while dressed as a Klingon-- ain't no shame in MY nerdy game. I'm open about it, usually dressed in some kind of theatrical crazy way that screams "NERD!" at you at first sight. I make no effort to hide it, and every effort to only hang out with others of my nerdy ilk; mundanes are boring, unimaginative, negative people. BLECH!<br /><br />Say it loud-- I'M A NERD AND I'M PROUD! But call me a "geek", and I'll 'ave you. ;)<br /><br /><br />Cheers, darling,<br /><br />Storm<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />Stormnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post-4546554627000657142008-06-10T21:27:00.000+01:002008-06-10T21:27:00.000+01:00I love it! They're definitely geeks, if you ask me...I love it! They're definitely geeks, if you ask me, and I think it's a bit sad that they won't admit it because of the negative connotations associated with the word.<BR/><BR/>How those women can say that they're not "geeks" is really only because Sex and the City is considered "cool" by them and the media they read... Much the same could be said for Star Wars fans and Trekkies, I think!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the link, Crumbs!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post-62112460629614457602008-06-04T16:46:00.000+01:002008-06-04T16:46:00.000+01:00You HAVE to read this: http://www.nationalpost.com...You HAVE to read this: http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/story.html?id=536049Karimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02566110996161916380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post-50965652349235558582008-02-03T14:01:00.000+00:002008-02-03T14:01:00.000+00:00Hi Norfolk, thanks for the comment! It's much appr...Hi Norfolk, thanks for the comment! It's much appreciated. I think you said something which I might have forgotten to make clear... but you summed it up perfectly in a sentence: People without interests in their life are surely more dull than those without... not the other way around! But you're right, to people outside their field, geeks are probably impenetrable at times. Saying that, I enjoy seeing enthusiasm in people, even if I don't necessarily 'get' their particular love.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels this way about these things!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post-24570095935420064702008-02-03T13:24:00.000+00:002008-02-03T13:24:00.000+00:00I agree completely, and was thinking about this a ...I agree completely, and was thinking about this a few years ago. You can effectively call someone a geek if they're really into something. Thus you get skateboarder geeks, computer geeks, sailing geeks, car geeks, DJ (music) geeks etc. Geek is essentially a derogatory word used for someone who is interested in something. As far as I'm concerned, if you're not a geek, then you aren't interested in anything in particular - which has got to be dull. Ok, so real geeks perhaps aren't very interesting to others outside their chosen field (I know some bad ass mechanics and scratch DJ's that I would call geeks, and who would describe themslves as being so if they were being honest), it's just that some people's interests are viewed as 'cooler' than others. Declaration of interest: I'm a car, music and computer geek by the way. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post-39148472890590886102007-12-16T15:09:00.000+00:002007-12-16T15:09:00.000+00:00Thanks so much for your kind words, I'm really gla...Thanks so much for your kind words, I'm really glad you've changed how you feel about the word 'geek'!<BR/><BR/>Just to make things clear; I'm talking about the third definition of the word: "enthusiast in a field", but should add that its meaning usually has "uncool" added to the middle of it. Especially when it's used derogatively.<BR/><BR/>In other words: "Enthusiast for something generally considered uncool".<BR/><BR/>Of course, that's NOT what the word means, it just means someone that's enthusiastic about something. People are geeks who often don't realise it (and will probably argue with you if you tell them). Fans of music or sports don't tend to consider themselves geeky, but they are.<BR/><BR/>I think enthusiasm is a Good Thing, however. I'd take an enthusiastic person over a cynical one, any day, but for some reason people associate cynicism with coolness.<BR/><BR/>It's easy to be cynical, and in my books, it's far from cool.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad you feel better about being a geek! Life without any passion is a life wasted.Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1570525113758995236.post-12707354570644858352007-12-10T02:10:00.000+00:002007-12-10T02:10:00.000+00:00Great post! It was great to happen to read this ri...Great post! It was great to happen to read this right now as I've been thinking about this topic recently.<BR/><BR/>I've never really liked associating myself with the word geek, although I guess I am exactly what is meant by it, especially when used by geeks themselves. I don't feel like I need to hide anything that makes me look like a geek, I just don't like being called one (it's actually even more of an issue in my native tongue as there is no direct translation for "geek" and the translation commonly used is actually closer to the meaning of "nerd").<BR/><BR/>But even in English, I think it is <B>that word</B> that bothers me. If you look at Merriam-Webster ( http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/geek ), the first definition for "geek" (circus freak) has quite a negative connotation, and as far as I know, it's the original meaning of the word. The second definition (disliked intellectual) is closer to the meaning we are talking about, but is still quite negative. The last definition (enthusiast in a field) is what I would associate myself with without a problem, and even the previous one to a degree, but I think that often when the word is used, especially by non-geeks, the negative connotations of the other definitions are still in the air, although I guess less and less so as time goes on.<BR/><BR/>In my opinion -- be what you are, whether it's geek or not, whether it's cool or not. In the end it doesn't really matter what you are called, either, but I think that everyone prefers being accepted by default, and it's also quite all right for someone to not take pride in the fact that the dictionary definition of part of their essence is "uncool" -- that's not an excuse for being ashamed of what they are, though. Sure, even the meanings of words change over time, but helping to change them does not have to be the personal battle of everyone that could be associated with them. Or maybe I just think so because I'm lazy :)<BR/><BR/>Actually, now that I got this off my chest, I feel a lot less bothered by the word geek. Thanks!Villanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10112463712062206087noreply@blogger.com