What Does it Mean to Be a Geek?
Isn't it Time that We Grew Out of This Bigoted Term
I couldn't help but feel somewhat offended. After all, I thought we lived in a politically correct world where you will be considered racist if you do not use proper terms like Asian or African-American. Apparently, any one who uses certain N-words to describe a certain race will be fired for his bigotry, but no one seems to have any problem with using the word "geek".
Personally, I can't think of any word that conveys any more stereotypes and negative labeling than the word "geek". In high school, that was the ultimate insult, it showed that you preferred your computer more than social relations, and sucked at athletics. It meant you were into comic books, science fiction, role-playing games and you could only dream of women.
However, it also implied that you were smart. In fact, I think the reason why geeks were picked on in high school was because the students knew that eventually the geeks were going to be their bosses. Perhaps that's why Best Buy calls their tech support team the Geek Squad. I suppose it gives the customer more confidence that someone smart, a geek, is going to help them. Best Buy doesn't call them "Jock Force".
Perhaps it is good that some have accepted their identity as geeks. I have never been comfortable with that label, even though I must admit that I have some habits that one would consider geekish. I'm sure that I probably have some issues, but there's just something about me that refuses to take on a label, especially a pejorative one. Being a geek may imply that you are smart, but it also implies a high degree of social ineptitude.
However, it really is a social conditioning that has decided that those who are smart are labeled as geeks, and those who have athletic prowess are not. I wonder what it would have been like if those that were good at sports ended up being labeled the pariah label of geeks, and those who played video and role-playing gamer ended up as the popular jocks. Now there is a little alternative society that would be cool.
Published by Mark Rollins
I have always wanted to be a writer. In the last few years, I quit my day job and became a full-time freelance writer. I like writing about the latest in Science and Technology, and I also like writing sci... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentThat was so funny about the Jock Force! Your article got me to thinking about geek/nerd terminlogy. The idealization of the jock seems to have peeked somewhere between the late 1980's and possibly the early 1990's. Depending on the context, 'I think of the word 'geek' can be really quite positive. The image that first came to mind when I thought of the word 'jock' was of guys sitting around watching football and smashing beer cans on their heads (instead of playing sports).' 'Geeks that Drink' trivia night is becoming a very popular regular weekly affair at bars nationwide
Great topic! Got me thinking of the differences, if any, between being called a geek or a nerd.
I understood Geek the way you did growing up but I think kids today use it without so much of the pejorative social connotations.
I am a geek, through and through, only no one believes it! I wish just once someone would call me a geek.
I have to agree- a "Geek Fest"? Come on, that's not right. Creative and enjoyable read!
Excellent article. Geeks are kind of cool and some men and women who are smart have embraced the title in a way and used it in a positive light. Still, it is ridiculous that our society labels certain types of people. Everyone should be smart or want to be smart anyway. However, certain people are placed in their own specific group. The Penny Arcade Expo should have been called exactly what it is.......The Penny Arcade Expo! or something similar to that, not a geek fest. In our society, if it is cool to be stupid, I would opt for the "Geek" label any day, however. Rather be smart than pay someone else to write essays or papers for me....much like the cooler "jocks" do.
I loved this - especially the part about the jock force. That had me laughing to myself here. The dog thinks I've lost my mind now. Great article! LOL I'm still laughing. Anyway, I don't like the word "geek" either, and find it offensive. Loved the ending too! Great article!