http://www.osnews.com/story/9095/Definition_of_Today_s_Geek_ Exploring the Future of Computing en-us Copyright 2001-2009, David Adams adam+nospam@osnews.com Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:02:19 GMT http://www.osnews.com/images/osnews.gif http://www.osnews.com http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? I am geek for boardgames (boardgamegeek.com) Tue, 07 Dec 2004 21:50:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Does anyone actually like being stuffed into a confy little box of `geekdom'? This has got to be the dumbest stories ever.

I hate people who like to pin you down to one particular thing. Tue, 07 Dec 2004 21:54:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Since when do we care if somebody is narrow minded and things about putting us in little boxes?

Just let them life their way. Don't look what others think about you. Take care about what you think about yourself Tue, 07 Dec 2004 21:59:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Just call me.....


ElectraGeek!!


Me and my trusty supercomputer CrimeScope are off to do battle with Glitter Rock!!!



ok, who hide my valium?? Tue, 07 Dec 2004 22:14:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Is being long-haired now out of fashion in the US? Tue, 07 Dec 2004 22:16:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? While I agree that being a geek is just great, there is still the unfortunate fact that if somebody introduces me to other people like this, "Have you met Marvin? He's a geek!," people's minds instantly fill up with preconceived notions. Even geek's minds do! We've (at least we who view/listen to American popular media) been programmed by numerous magazine articles, television shows, and popular comedians about what a geek is.

I'm sorry, I like having some Geek characteristics but I'm not going to be a poster boy for Geekdom, even in small social situations. Tue, 07 Dec 2004 22:19:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Yes, it used to be that you could spot military by their haircut. That is not longer the case as now most males keep their hair short enough that it is military regulation. Tue, 07 Dec 2004 22:21:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? "Does anyone actually like being stuffed into a confy little box of `geekdom'?"

why not?

"Just let them life their way. Don't look what others think about you. Take care about what you think about yourself"

right on! "you can't please all of the people all of the time," honest abe.

notice lack of caps? left hand covered in "essence of snack" (cheetos)... just like a damned geek Tue, 07 Dec 2004 22:46:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? ooh, preconceived notions!

I love it (not) when people ask me if I play chess, out of the blue. Especially when they admit that they don't, but "you look like the type".

And this "definition" manifesto may be cooked up by some marketing drone, trying to catch as many of us as he can in his web, to funnel the results of our high-pay tech jobs in the correct direction. It just feels like an attempt to create our sub-culture for us. That's just so nineties... Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:02:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? RE: Jack Does anyone actually like being stuffed into a confy little box of `geekdom'? This has got to be the dumbest stories ever.

I hate people who like to pin you down to one particular thing.

Jack this article is in response to exactly what you are talking about. "This document has been created for those who do not have a clear definition of "today's geek"." Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:04:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? "We proliferate the world…"

This odd use of "proliferate" implies that extra planets are being created instead of extra geeks. Now this might be some philosophical notion about alternative realms of consciousness, or alternative planes of being, but somehow I don't think that was in intention.

None of the science students that attended my history classes could write either... Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:05:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Ouch, how bout making a suggestion instead of geek bashing... Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:12:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? This Document was from Geekofthemonth.com Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:32:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? To be a Geek, must one be a citizen of Geece? Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:38:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? What on Earth are you talking about. Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:42:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Chicken maybe. Tue, 07 Dec 2004 23:44:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? "We relate better through devices such as keyboards and gamepads, but this doesn't make us socially inept."

Apparently geeks can hallucinate too. While I agree with the notion of there being a geek subculture, I somehow doubt that relating through gamepads is a sign of social grace. Wed, 08 Dec 2004 00:41:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Raves? No.
GameCons? No.

These are symptoms of idiocy, emotional retardation, and godawfully oversized pants. There are plenty of literate, intelligent, thoughtful (read: everything that most GameConners and Raver Kiddies are not) "geeks" out there that would take offense to this article.

You need not be an uberleet, hardware clocking, case modding, blubbering doofus who has to dope up on caffeine in order to form semi-coherent sentences around members of the opposite sex. I apologize for the tone, but this article is absolute trash.

Disclaimer: I am a geographer/remote senser. I am also an avid Linux user. I have several other hobbies and idiosynchrasies that I feel qualify me as a geek. The activities described in this article are the sort of thing that I would associate with a younger (I'm only 23, for perspective) group that has usurped geek/nerd culture to mask their own vapid extistences. Wed, 08 Dec 2004 01:39:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? This document is part sarcasm. It goes to extremes when talking about "relating better through devices such as keyboards and gamepads." It's ment to make you laugh. The serious part: "what is a geek? Perhaps a little strange, perhaps unique, and yes, very intense. Today's geek is a person who is passionate and/or accomplished in his or her pursuits." ...."Listen to those who are passionate and accomplished in their pursuits no matter what they may be. Share your passions with them. There is a little geek in all of us. What are you geek for?"" Wed, 08 Dec 2004 01:44:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? For a long time now, at least a few year, I've stud by this or my terminology and definition..

http://www.darkwater.com/omni/geek.html

I also asked google, our god, what a geek is..

http://www.googlism.com/what_is/a/a_geek/ .. not quite google.com but you get the idea Wed, 08 Dec 2004 02:24:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? "Do not fear us, but instead, embrace us."

That should read embrace and extend.

On topic, in my opinion, "geek" has reached the point where those who are the slightest bit geeky know that is simply a descriptor, like "likes chinese food," or "jazz music aficionado." However, I think that the "cool mainstream" (tongue in cheek) thinks that (geek = dork). If only the knew. This says nothing about the nerds, (those who study too much, and are especially into math or physics.) Many geeks are well-kempt, socially adroit, and live perfectly balanced lives. Technology is their hobby. It's what makes them tick, and what they live and breathe outside of their daily routine. Being a geek is something to be proud of, being a nerd, well, you could call yourself "driven," but being a dork is something people generally shy from classifying themselves as. Though how one can be so immature as to judge based on outward appearances rather than character is an issue in its own right. Wed, 08 Dec 2004 02:26:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? There we go, now there is somebody that has put some thought into this.... Thank you for your thoughts, Charles. Let's keep the ball rolling, keeping in mind that the original document was meant to entertain, make us laugh, and inspire thought. Along with letting people know that there is a little "geek" in all of us. It's just a matter of figuring out what you are "Geek for" (passionate about). Wed, 08 Dec 2004 03:23:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? How the hell does an article like this get published on osnews.com ?

It's such total conjecture and so opionated, it's to all intents and purposes, meaningless.

Oh well Wed, 08 Dec 2004 09:02:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? http://www.bawls.com/

ahhh.. sweet goodness...


I think being a geek implies a love for gadgets. 20 years ago that was a pocket protector. Today it is remote control cars, binary led clocks, and just about anything with circuitry. We're a weird bunch.

Don't talk about Geek, Be Geek. Thinkgeek.com Wed, 08 Dec 2004 13:22:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? 'We are ravers, gamers, trekkies, programmers and techies'
Call me what you want, just don't call me a raver. Thats just insulting, I have better taste than that

"Fok die mense, ons IS die mense" Wed, 08 Dec 2004 13:24:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Ja Willie, laat ons rave eksê. Wed, 08 Dec 2004 17:21:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? Well it looks as though we've been posted on OSNews.com. (One of my personal favorites). The traffic we have received is phenomenal! Though, there is one small issue... It seems as though some people were offended by our "What is a Geek" document. I've slightly updated the document because they did have some valid points. I would like to mention a couple things to keep in mind. The document is supposed to be funny to spark interest and to be entertaining! It uses stereotypes to be sarcastic! Its main purpose though, is to show the world that there is a little "Geek" in all of us, and it's just a matter of figuring out what you are "Geek for." On some weird level, it may also be an awakening for those who have bullied, made fun of, or spoken maliciously about others viewed as "strange" or "different." So to those who were offended: This was never meant to offend, pigeonhole, or stereotype. It was in fact to show just how silly those things are. Because: "There is a little "Geek" in all of us." Thu, 09 Dec 2004 02:58:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? I am a student of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I am carrying out a study on the effect of "Geek culture" on the Chinese Freeware Movement. I wish you could kindly spend some time to answer our questions. We ensure that all your personal information and opinions will be used for analytical purposes only, and will be kept confidential. Thank you for your cooperation.

http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?id=77525 Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:26:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments http://osnews.com/thread? http://osnews.com/thread? A geek is merely someone whose technical skills are better developed than their social skills. This doesn't mean that a geek is completely lacking in social skills, just that their technical skills have gotten more time and attention.

I'm not a complete embarrassment to the human race, but my tech skills are very well developed. Consequently, I don't mind being described as a geek. Thu, 09 Dec 2004 23:40:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Anonymous) Comments