I'm proud to be a Geek

I just felt like drawing attention this article from CNN:

New study shatters Internet 'geek' image
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/intern...reut/index.html

Some interesting facts about Internet users. =)

Heh, not sure I'm typical, but I sure am a geek. My TV watching actually went up when I got wireless and was able to multi-task. I own a shirt and a glass (which I use every day at work) that proudly proclaim that I'm a geek. As the article notes as typical of many computer geek types (contrary to stereotypes), I read a lot and hang out with a large group of friends (what I call my heathen society) an average of three times monthly on top of maintaining one or two strong individual friendships.

One thing that bothered me... were geeks previously stereotyped as not being well-read? I would have assumed that geeks read the latest Star Trek digest, and keep up on the latest obscure technologies... I know geeks aren't supposed to have friends and socialize and such... I believe the whole tv thing is a downfall amongst all walks of life... 600 channels and nothing good to watch...

Originally, a geek was someone who bit the heads off chickens at carnivals and the circus, for anybody who didn't know it. The term had a pejorative connotation for those who weren't literally geeks and was applied to misfits. Those misfits have now embraced the term and become a bit more mainstream.

Yeah, I didn't get where they got off saying geeks weren't well-read. Your average airhead socialite hasn't read much Sartre or Derrida either, you know, so why are geeks different? As you point out, geeks tend to be more up on obscure technologies. Apparently, it's also a requirement for a geek to have read much of Douglas Adams's work, so I may not qualify. I finally got a copy of his six major works and will dig in in a couple of weeks. Then I'll really be in the club.

Good post MadCow.. Thanks for the good read

Hehehe... I'm glad somebody started this up. It's true that the long-lived "geek" persona no longer exists; at least in my eyes.

I don't carry numerous pens, pencils, a protractor, and a calculator in my shirt... although I do carry a PDA and a SmartPhone... not on my shirt, however... Hmmm.. has the PDA replaced the pocket protector?

Either way, I'm a self-proclaimed geek... I tease my girlfriend about it all the time... I tell her she has to finally admit that her boyfriend is a geek... she hates it, but she always laughs about it... In fact, she's somewhat proud of my "geekness"...

I was never much into reading when growing up... In fact, I hated it. It wasn't until about 2 or 3 years ago that I finally started reading (and enjoying it)... although most of, if not all, of my reading is tech-related...

Either way... I'm a geek, and I'm proud... But I sure as hell don't resemble the geek-of-yesteryear... We've created a new image... UNITED, WE ARE GEEK!

We are the geek rebellion.
We shall overcome the supressed prejudices of the non-computer-literate!
Everyone! Come forth your geek-y selves and unite against our evil unplugged villians...
We WILL double click our way to victory...
Now... are you with me?!

No, sorry.

You're just too wacked out CowDzz. I say we overthrow MadCowDzz as our leader. <just kidding>

Geek by definition is a person with an unusual or odd personality, as dhouston pointed out with the circus folk. But it's no longer unusual to spend hours on your computer and enjoy all things techie.

Perhaps anybody not with the computer revolution are the geeks now! They're the ones carrrying those small note pads and IKEA pencils, pretending they have a PDA.

Do you guys remember the character Nick Burns, The Computer Guy played by Jimmy Fallon on SNL? If he's a geek, then I will have to confess to being one as well. I act like that when I'm asked for computer help.

MOOOOOVE!

CountFLY, i like your comment of how people without computers are keeps... lol...
Perhaps we techie's should make fun of them...
and what's this trying to overthrow me? =P i'm not a leader, i'm an instigator!
Best slogan I've heard: "Can't somebody else do it?" [from a tv show which of which i can't remember the name]

And i think Rob Schneider's Photocopy Guy is close to me...
Never really doing any work, just making commentary on those who are doing work...
Love being a distraction... =)