I've been coming across a wide variety of geek sites, and it's been making me wonder - how far does the term geek go?
There are a huge amount of geek sites on the internet, which is more than understandable seeing as the main definition has to do with a lover of computers and gadgets and the such. But then there are sites such as Geek Sugar ( http://www.geeksugar.com/ ), which comes with the slogan 'Geek is chic' and turns everything into hip, cool trendy gossip directed toward chicks. I'm one myself, but I find that site somewhat disgusting. Obviously, though, people go there.
Then there are places like Slashdot ( http://www.slashdot.org/ ) that seem to give the more classic definition of geek. But then, as they themselves say - they have 'news for nerds, stuff that matters.' Where are the lines between nerd and geek? Are there any? Can politics and organic science or astronomy be geeky? What makes a song and/or band geeky?
I of course have my own ( very dynamic ) opinions on this, but what with the flexibility of the term it'd be awesome to hear what you all have to say about it.
Also, the best theory I've heard about the etymology of 'geek' is that the word changed as jobs within computers soared. At first it meant those weirdos that did things no one could understand ( similar to circus 'freaks' ), then turned around a bit as computers became an every day kind of thing. Dunno how accurate it is, but it would make sense.
Feel free to share your favorite geeky sites ( define as you will ) as well.
There are a huge amount of geek sites on the internet, which is more than understandable seeing as the main definition has to do with a lover of computers and gadgets and the such. But then there are sites such as Geek Sugar ( http://www.geeksugar.com/ ), which comes with the slogan 'Geek is chic' and turns everything into hip, cool trendy gossip directed toward chicks. I'm one myself, but I find that site somewhat disgusting. Obviously, though, people go there.
Then there are places like Slashdot ( http://www.slashdot.org/ ) that seem to give the more classic definition of geek. But then, as they themselves say - they have 'news for nerds, stuff that matters.' Where are the lines between nerd and geek? Are there any? Can politics and organic science or astronomy be geeky? What makes a song and/or band geeky?
I of course have my own ( very dynamic ) opinions on this, but what with the flexibility of the term it'd be awesome to hear what you all have to say about it.
Also, the best theory I've heard about the etymology of 'geek' is that the word changed as jobs within computers soared. At first it meant those weirdos that did things no one could understand ( similar to circus 'freaks' ), then turned around a bit as computers became an every day kind of thing. Dunno how accurate it is, but it would make sense.
Feel free to share your favorite geeky sites ( define as you will ) as well.
If you have further questions maybe you should ask the geekmeister himself: Gorgonheap. He's got a PhD in Geekology. And he's also a loser who has nothing better to do with his time anyway. In fact I'm sure he would enjoy the conversation. Because nobody likes him.
Thanks for sending a link to him.
Love you too honey.
Art and literature generally seem much more concerned about the aesthetics of something, while geekdom seems more concerned about concrete information, performance etc. Of course the lines blur, like all things, comic books, mac users, etc.
I think you're certainly right about its etymology changing. It used to be a lot more derogatory, now at times its almost complimentary or used more in terms of *fondness. We've taken back the word and made it ours
*see kronos/gorgon responses
EDIT: A mistype can quickly change Gorgonheap into a Goronheap.
Such as a "Bag of holding" or the Nights who say Ni t shirt.
Geek or nerd is just someone who's really dedicated at something, usually something that's not mainstream like mathematics, physics, chess, computers, xkcd, your mother, or consoles. Also, if he distinguishes between consoles and computers == geek material. Also if he uses "==" to mean equal to, that's programming talk == geek.
And whoo for not putting oneself in boxes
>> ^Farhad2000:
I would loath to ever be called or call myself as a geek, nerd, emo or any other lil' compartment box people dream up of.
"Geek" is kind of like "porn". I can't give you a definition, but I know one when I see him. And if you know what a "Bag of Holding" is, you are definitely a geek.