Geeks?

[Iarwain]

You people make me want to weep! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

It goes from calling Tolkien fans geeks to all book learned people geeks, to plotting to take over the world and setting up a Tolkienite regime. I feel like screaming!


Wailing for Goldberry,
Iarwain

P.S. I just realized that this barely shows any opinion at all, so here it is. Most people reguard being a "geek" a negative thing. At the same time, "geek" is an almost completely undefined term with the blind stereotype of clumsiness and oddity attached. Therefore, why and how should we label ourselves as geeks when the very word signifies the opposite of what we are, if only through this website, that is that we are not an anomaly because there are so many of us. I find the terms "geek" and "nerd" very annoying and disturbing, since their very use brings the idea of persecution to mind. Thus the frown on my face at this very moment. [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

[ March 01, 2003: Message edited by: Iarwain ]

[Lossenorodion]

i think they dont have the reason to call people geeks, i dont know if im one but if im one for other people i aint one for me i guess its just points of view and knowing the person

besides liking fantasy and things like that is not necessary that your a geek but well as i said before its point of view if people wannna call me gekk let them do it

[nPiLL]

Im not a geek. Actually, im an athlete who gets the girls. lol. Even though im the only athlete who likes LotR, i dont care and neither do my friends. Its just another "hobby" of mine when im not playing sports. lol. So i dont consider myself a geek.

[Eressië Ailin]

I'm with you all the way, the guy who be short!!!! Let's take over the world, make some more Tolkien fans!!!! I know a guy who'd make a great Gollum... [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

[Iarwain]

Society is so screwed up. Honestly, what is with the whole geek thing? It's just another blind stereotype like jocks, nerds, and pastor's kids. People are people, they cannot be classified. How much can you really say about a person by finding out that they read books by a certain author? Its like judging a person's views on socialism by the color of their socks.

Iarwain

[Lush]

Geekiness can be extremely attractive. Or rather, one can make it extremely attractive. Take it from me. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Iarwain]

Please tell Lush! What's the secret!?!

Iarwain

[Gorwingel]

Yes I do too find being "Geek" very attractive, I do not like someone who is too cool. They don't really want to go with the crowd, and are more inclined to do their own thing no matter what.

[Lush]

Yer missing the point. Geek is generally cool. Where I live, if you're not a geek, you get put on academic probation. The geeks graduate, get fancy jobs, and fly first class to exotic locales. What can be more attractive than that?

However, if you want to get into the details, the right accessories are a must. Smart glasses, messenger bag, and a haunted look about the face should do the trick. Of course, having a great face and body to go along with the geek exterior helps just a tad.

[Neferchoirwen]

First, I'll go with Iarwain's comment on top of this page...and I'll have to agree with what he said by adding that "geek" is an ambiguous word, which makes us choose how to define it..or use it for that matter.

I love being a geek...it defines me. It makes me stand out. And yeah, messenger bags are cool...but I miss my glasses...

And yes...admitting to being a LotR geek is more like pledging aleigance to Middle Earth---complete with the psychosis and all [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[the guy who be short]

i am a geek.
i go round either speaking english, old english, or quenya. i wear glasses, go 2 chess club, and get the feeling ive already written all this somewhere. but most of all, i am unique. insane, even, to you less understanding, more overstanding, half not standing (face it, you're drunk) people who hate dwarves just because we are short.
i am a geek, but a unique 1. i doubt many of you stab people with rulers if they annoy you. if a dumb jock annoys me, i hit him round the head with a bootbag (actually happened) or stab him with a metal ruler between the ribs (happened) or stab him anywhere (happened).

more normally now, i am writing a novel at the age of 13. how geeky is that?

in response to whoever agreed with me about taking over the world, you'll need a bow and a sword (a ruler will do)

[the guy who be short]

um... whats wrong with plotting to take over the world and setting up a tolkienite regime? perhaps even a fascist dictatorship?

[Gorwingel]

Oh, Lush, you are meaning that kind of Geek. Those kinds are the best [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Like the highly successful, very smart kind.

[Iarwain]

I see, everyone. I like your personalities. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

But, I never would have been able to tell that you weren't raw meat eaters if you hadn't explained yourselves. My problem is that I strongly dislike the use of the word geek. It is a complete variable, and is used cruelly in many situations. The great thing is that people like you and I, perhaps more inclined to a craving of knowledge than others, can turn something cruel like that into a wonderful pro. (I'm just realizing this now) Sadly, though, I cannot boast a perscription for glasses, a chess club membership, or an energetic personality. My life is completely and fundamentaly rational, straightforward, and generally boring.


[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] ,
Iarwain

P.S. I hope to be a geek like that someday too, Lush. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[ March 07, 2003: Message edited by: Iarwain ]

[HerenIstarion]

Hey, being a geek is a status worthy of an envy of fellows around, it is!

The following piece concerns not 'school geekness' very much discussed above, though touches on it here and there. Nevertheless it is of interest as it is free advice for women whose male companions fall under category 'geek' this way or another. Furthermore, I suppose, there are some husbands around who's obssession with JRRT is not, alas, shared by their esteemed spouses. Let them read it, my dear geeks

(I was not able to locate the spot where the following article was originally located, but fortunately I have had it saved to my hard drive)


****************************

By Matthew Sakey

Back when I was in high school, geeks were not highly regarded as potential boyfriend material. (Being one of them I am eminently qualified to attest to this.) Comic books, thick glasses, computers and chess club just don't match the selling potential of varsity jackets and cool cars. However, it's been noted that some geeks grow up to found software conglomerates, and even those who don't tend to be more agreeable later in life than they were back in their teens.

Like everyone after high school, we mellow out, ditch the young-wizard glasses, and develop the social skills that seemed so sorely lacking when we were pimply youths. However, that doesn't mean that we've lost our geekhood — we just conceal it better. More importantly, since you've grown up since high school as well, that geekhood which was so unpleasant back then is kind of charming now — try it and you may be surprised. There's no longer any shame in dating a geek, and it can be well worth the effort. The only issue is that sometimes you may find it difficult to understand our peculiarities. While it's not necessary to know the difference between Sauron, Saruman and the Sarlaac to successfully date one of us, mastering the art of tolerance and bemused understanding will assure a long and fruitful relationship with your geek.

Geek care and feeding is easier than many think, because we are generally healthiest when left to our own devices. This doesn't mean we can't do things together; but we do thrive when given a little time to do our own thing. (This conveniently frees you from having to be part of it.) For example, let me wander off to the computer section while you're browsing CDs at the store. And though I am betraying my people to share this, adhere to the strict "yes-no rule" of computer product purchases: If I come back clutching an object in a brightly colored box, let me buy it only if I didn't buy something last time we were shopping. We do tend to overextend our finances, especially on computer equipment — it changes so fast, and the stuff is just so neat — so it also might behoove you to check the price tag and confirm that I really need this item. (My interpretation of "need" at this point will be highly subjective, so ask the tough questions.) Remember that there's a good chance I only want it because it's new. Geeks are suckers for new stuff.

We geeks are comfortable in herds, so keeping yours content requires that he have the opportunity to associate with his own kind now and then. Conveniently, this also solves the movie problem: Our taste for multiple viewings of certain films may not appeal to you, so let us go with our friends as often as we like. Since geeks generally like movies of all kinds (we just gravitate towards those with dragons or starships over others), you can feel free to choose whatever films you'll see as a couple without fear of whining. Try that with a football star.

If you live together, it's also helpful to grant your geek a little space to call his own. Here we will build our model airplanes, operate our ham radio, play our games, whatever — all in gleeful privacy. After a school career of constant abuse, we are rather unsurprisingly embarrassed by our geekdom, so letting us practice it in solitude is a very considerate gesture. We'll appreciate it and you won't have to move all our miniatures off the kitchen table every time you want to eat.

Geeks are among the sweetest and most adoring of boyfriends, and the old prejudice of greasy-haired basement dwellers has long since fallen by the wayside. We can dress ourselves and perform routine grooming tasks, and as geeks move into the mainstream, we are becoming more sought after by savvy women. If you don't share some of your boyfriend's more esoteric hobbies, remember that they'll almost never interfere with all that you do share — so let him enjoy them.

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Hope you enjoyed it

[Beren87]

Reminds me of this discussion Rimbaud started a while back. The article at the top from the guardian is excellent, and a good read.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Attentive readers will have noticed that the author of the above article speaks only of male geeks. We are left to conjecture on the existence of females of the species. However, if there were no females, how would geeks (some sources also refer to nerds, but I am not sure whether those are a different species or just another name for the same) multiply? Does Saurgates breed or spawn them unnaturally? To even imagine the act of geek procreation is gross, but can even one so mighty as he bring his creatures to life, or does he merely twist those already created to serve him?

If there are females, what do you suppose they’re like? Are they smaller than the males and kept at home to rear the young, as they are not useful for the warfare against their foes? Or, like dwarf females, are they so similar to the males that those of other races cannot differentiate between them?

So many questions, so few answers! I have great hopes that the new volume XIV of HoME, The Peoples of Modern Middle-earth, will shed some light on this topic. Christopher Tolkien has held this information back long enough – eager fans want to know!

[tar-ancalime]

The Matthew Sakey article seems to be directed at non-geeks who may want to date or live with geeks. This implies that geeks can and do procreate with non-geeks, thus creating a whole population of half-geeks. Could it be that these half-geeks may then choose freely which half of their heritage to embrace?

But to answer Estelyn's question directly, there are certainly female geeks. It is unfortunate that here as in so many other instances, their contributions to geekdom throughout history have been overshadowed or simply ignored in favor of the male of the species. It is high time their voices were heard.

As far back as the Middle Ages, female geeks such as Beatrix the Codex-laden were at the forefront of advancement of geek culture. Beatrix herself is well known to have created the first fantasy-related action figure, a small wooden model of a dragon with working arms and legs, which she carved and painted herself.

Female geeks of today, it is time to speak out. We have been hidden too long.

[Hama Of The Riddermark]

To really understand what 'GEEK' means you have to have watched an extract from a while back on the Conan O'Brian show...It was a few days after Attack of the Clones came out...

That short ten minutes of film had me laughing for about a week...

[Sirithheruwen]

I am not a geek.
Nor am I a nerd.
Nor am I a jock.
Nor am I a goth.

I am an original...me and me alone. I detest stereotypes as no one person is exactly the same as any other person. Unless they try to act like another person so they can be accepted. Those people are stupid twits. No offence.

[Saraphim]

One day, everyone will stop using small words to describe a large amount of people. Everyone will be accepted for thier differences, and happiness will ensue.

But until that day, I remain, an Uber-Geek!

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

In the spirit of Prof Tolkien, I have gone to the Oxford English Dictionary to find out what, precisely, a "geek" is (I would humbly suggest that we all strive for definition number 3 (and do our best to avoid number 2)):


I. Simple uses.

1. slang (chiefly U.S.). a. orig. Eng. regional (north.). A person, a fellow, esp. one who is regarded as foolish, offensive, worthless, etc.

b. Freq. depreciative. An overly diligent, unsociable student; any unsociable person obsessively devoted to a particular pursuit (usually specified in a preceding attrib. noun). Cf. NERD n.

c. spec. A person who is extremely devoted to and knowledgeable about computers or related technology. In this sense, esp. when as a self-designation, not necessarily depreciative.

2. U.S. slang. A performer at a carnival or circus whose show consists of bizarre or grotesque acts, such as biting the head off a live animal.

II. Compounds.

3. geek chic, a glamorization of the culture and appearance of geeks; the style associated with geeks.

[Mad Baggins]

I like being a geek. It enables me to make the other students in my class feel inferior.

[Alda]

Hmmmm.....

Let me see if im following this correctly.

I dont need to keep hiding my inhaler under my pocket protector? Socks and sandals worn together are acceptable? (comfort and ventilation)
What about different colored socks?

While standing in line at the supermarket checkout, would it be considered "nerdish" to be quoting movie lines from the Rankin Bass Hobbit?

Just wondering

Kudos to who-ever said they were an uber-geek. Yes, the word does seem to be a negative sterotype, but the "geeks" define the meaning of the word. If you want to be a geek that has tape on the bridge of your glasses, so be it. I don't think anyone here is a geek that eats live animals, but we each have our own little things.. Like Star Trek, X-Files (Mulder was kinda a geek! And there was that one episode with the real geek, that ate cockroaches and stuff) Dilbert, all those shows.. We are the new-age geeks! Not a bunch of losers, but people with personalities, we aren't recluses or anti-social! I find geeks, in a sense, to be the smartest people in our school. A "geek" that also happens to like LotR and other fantasy stuff like that got a perfect 36 outta 36 on the ACT, and almost got a perfect on the SAT, or something like that. If you use your "geekiness" or "nerdiness" correctly, you could eventually be very successful. I prefer to enjoy my geekyness, and scare the uber-stoopid people away. Or at least intimidate them with my superior intelligence and humor, that hardly anyone gets... Does anyone else have a problem with a sense of humor that nobody around you understands?? It's really annoying, you quote movies and such, and people are just like... what???. Although that is funny, I wish more people my age would get the stuff I say.. A teacher of mine said he really liked my sense of humor... That is kinda scary, considering he is about the only person who gets a majority of my jokes!!! WEll, thanks for your time, and 1 more thing, I am not THAT computer savvy, or tech-savvy. I also do not have glasses or braces... And I don't normally wear shirts with pockets, and I don't have pocket-protectors in the pockets even when I do wear pocketed shirts...

[Lalaith]

One of the great pleasures of the Barrowdowns: coming across new knowledge. To think I have lived this long without knowing that there was a special word for a person who bites the head off live chickens at carnivals. *claps hands with joy*

But coming back to the more common use of the word 'geek': For me, it's ok as an adjective but not as a noun. Being geeky about a specific area of interest is quite cute and is a sign of an enthusiastic, intelligent nature - quite different to actually being labelled a general, all-round geek.
And I also applaud wholeheartedly those of you who are constraining against pigeon-holing and stereotyping. Some high schools and colleges seem to operate like the Hindu caste system, you are stuck into rigid roles and have no choice but to play them out. Good for anyone who kicks against that.

Tar-ancalime, I *love* your geek-peredhil concept....

Well, i dont think im a geek i honestly dont think any of us here are geeks i jus think everyone is different and have different perspectives on things and things they like and if jocks like sports then hell they like sports and if cheerleaders like cheerleading then they like cheerleading And if people like readin books and watchin movies there is certainly nothing wrong with that. so more power to so called "geeks" cuz they are bein themselves and doin what they like as well. I dont place myself anywhere tho if someone says im a geek then thats wha they think, and to them thats wha i am.
Well this is my first post and i must say it feels good

[Vanwatholiel]

I am a geek and I'm very proud of it!! All geeks unite! Geek power!! Go geeks, go geeks!!!I am proud and perfectly happy being a geek. yay!!! Three cheers for resident geeks!!!!

[Saraphim]

My friends are all the complete manifestation of Nerd. There isn't time to talk about how much they're geeks.

And yet, the only person who they call a nerd/geek is me. Thus, I am, like I said before, the Uber-Geek.

Upon hearing this title my friend proclaimed that anyone who would use a german prefix on an english word is an unsalvagable nerd.

I bowed.

[Lhunardawen]

I don't know if someone will agree with me, but it seems to me that geeks are not as un-accepted as they used to be. Or maybe they have learned to be geeky but still fit in...somehow. But why does anybody care if someones a geek? There are probably more of them in this world than those who consider themselves normal... no sense stereotyping.

I, for one, am a true-blue geek and nobody cares about my geekiness. To Angband with those who think geeks are (insert something insulting here).

Lhunardawen, a geek and loving it.

[PaleStar]

yes, it does seem like nerd/geek is less of an offensive term anymore, and more like a badge of honour now.

i'm so glad you brought this up! I'm not too fond of labels, but for someone to call me a geek is completely true! i mean, come on! i've memorized every line in lotr and the interviews and commentaries! my favorite movies are lotr, star wars, and pirates, and i listen to beatles and led zepplin (i don't know how geeky that is, nor do i care!). i just bought a new pair of chuckies, and my friends asked: " are they white, pink, green,..." no, they're plad. well, before i get to ahead of meself and begin to forget what i'm doing, allow me to end like tis:GEEKS IS GOOD PEOPLE!

ye know, i might just type on this topic forever, forever, forever...

anywho, one time in walmart, my geeky friend and i sat on the floor in the middle of every one and did a few scenes(rather loudly) from rotk. They said we were disturbers of the peace ( i said thank ou) and then they kicked us out. i also went to a furniture store with four of my friends, and we started jumping on their couches and singing (rather loudly again) a hobbit drinking song. we were kicked out of that store and assumed to be raging drunks! no, just lotr band geeks!

[Aredhel]

I don't feel so bad now.
Honestly, I knew lots of geeks in high school. They were the greasy-haired fellahs with zits in their parent's basements building computers that exploded chips and played D&D every Saturday and Sunday in a marathon around their parent's dining table.
But I wasn't that kind of geek, no. I was the Star Trek obsessed gal with the long greasy hair who went to conventions just because she might meet someone famous... I was the gal who was one notch from being beautiful, and totally desirable. If only I had seen it then, and washed my freaking hair more often.

Anyway, I made it to true geekdom when I realized that I'm the only person in the office that knows the term "Bounce the server!" or that I opened my Dell to blow it out and fix the fan. ("Oh my GOD, the admin is going to get you for that?! You're gonna break it!") Yeah, yeah. When I did my windows updates on it the rest of the office freaked out. Hey, it's not my fault I live with a network engineer!

Tolkienites are not true geeks. You must have some scientific interest, computer interest, gaming AND fantasy interest. I'm afraid that movie fans just don't count, either, unless they have those qualities.
So there.

[Araréiel]

c. spec. A person who is extremely devoted to and knowledgeable about computers or related technology. In this sense, esp. when as a self-designation, not necessarily depreciative.

My boyfriend to a T! Heck, www.bondedsender.com is him. Anti-spam. He and his friends are the types who grew up with those old punch-card computers. He was the tall, 6'6" gangy, pimpled, awkward, glasses guy in high school who never got the girl, not that he cared to-he was too into computers. My God, he's filled out now and is hot! And he proudly wears the label of Geek and Nerd. Geeks and Nerds tend to be very smart, so be proud. Those pocket-protector-kids are the Bill Gateses of tomorrow. In other words, the future billionaires. And with a billion bucks, who's gonna tease ya? Unless you have a bad Trump hairdo or Gates' ugly jackets.......

[yavanna II]

Isn't Bill Gates the biggest geek? But, hey!! He's the richest geek alive

[Araréiel]

Warren Buffett is catching up, and he isn't so geeky. Trump and Gates are the worst, although Trump's big crime is that hair! WHich works well since it causes people to talk. Ta-da! Publicity. If I were a billionaire geek, I would just buy style. And there's that 23-year-old last recently whose billionaire father threw her a $60 MILLION wedding! Hey, you can't buy that kind of wealth! Well, yeah you can buy already having it!

But how many self-made millionaires do you know who aren't geeks? My boyfriend knows a bunch of internet-start-up millionaires, including the founder of Hotmail, and they're all geeks!!

But for the money, I'd gladly be more one! And keep in mind geeks can be attractive! I'm a semi-geek and get hit on a lot! Look ay my av.

But where's the money? SHOW ME THE MONEY!!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Posts on this thread need to be Tolkien-related! All who participate here, please check your contributions - if you can't edit them to make them relevant, please delete them before the administrators/moderators have to do so. Thanks!

[Sapphire_Flame]

<==GEEK!!! ^ ^

It is interesting, though, how liking Tolkien almost automatically classifies one as a geek. Not that I mind; I'd rather be a geek than one of the "cool" people. Why is it that Tolkien fanhood deposits one into the realm of geekishness?

On another point, here's a fun test to find out just how much of a geek you are! (Don't worry, Estelyn, it does mention Tolkien in there! ^ ~) THE GEEK TEST

Abedithon le,

~*~Aranel~*~

[Legolas]

Because of the involvement more or less required to get really into his world and understand it. Others see this sort of committment to one book, world, author, et. al as 'nerdy' simply because of the amount of committment.

Note these definitions of 'nerd':

'a student who studies excessively' (confirms my statement above - Tolkien's world being wide open for in-depth study)

'1. [mainstream slang] Pejorative applied to anyone
with an above-average IQ and few gifts at small talk and ordinary
social rituals. 2. [jargon] Term of praise applied (in conscious
ironic reference to sense 1) to someone who knows what's really
important and interesting and doesn't care to be distracted by
trivial chatter and silly status games'

If we're considered 'nerds,' I'd have to say that last definition is the reality of it.

Well, some of us...