As I’ve said many times before, I consider myself a real geek. It’s not something I’ve grown into the last couple of years or have taken on because it’s nowadays “hip”. I can seriously say that at all stages in my life I’ve been a geek in one form or another.
A while ago (10 months to be exact) I wrote a post about the definition of geekiness, where I tried to explain what I think a geek is. At the time I came up with the following:
a person with a passionate devotion to and an extensive knowledge of a particular interest
The main difference from the original “definition” that I wanted to bring across, was the fact that geeks aren’t just fans liking a specific topic, but that they truly are obsessed/passionate/devoted to it. Plus the fact that they aren’t necessarily socially inept. Yes, there are non-social geeks… but that doesn’t mean we all are.
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Now I’ve noticed most people tend to agree with my definition (in as far as I can claim it as “my” definition). Except for one point. They always assume the particular interest is tech-related. Geeks mean gadget-loving, computer-wielding tech-lovers. Is this true? I don’t think so. In my eyes, you could be a geek in any topic: from math to snowboarding to mobiles.
And that brings me to the title of this post: six degrees of geekiness. I am six types of geeks all rolled into one*:
1. The TV Show Geek
2. The Sci-Fi Geek
3. The Movie Geek
4. The Book Geek
5. The Game Geek
6. The Computer Geek
I was going to write about how I got into each of these geekhoods, only to discover there’s way more backstory to each of them (hey, I’m a blogger, I like to talk about myself, get used to it). For instance, my descent into Sci-Fi started with my attempt to enter a harmless drawing competition at our local mall. And how could I not tell the tale of how I became a computer geek without mentioning my beloved graphic calculator?
So instead I thought I’d do a collection of blog posts: each one about another of my geek sides. You can expect the first some time later this week. In the mean time, why don’t you share a bit of your geek background stories. How many degrees of geekiness do you possess?
* I am now omitting my minor prior geekhoods of Math Geek, Egypt Geek, Conspiracy Theory Geek, Paranormal/Ancient Weird Stuff Geek. I’m not as obsessed about those topics now as I once used to be. But, seriously, you’d be surprised at how many weird random facts are just floating through my brain.
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August 28th, 2008 at 1:24
By that definition, what is the difference between a Fanatic and a Geek? What is the difference between a Snowboarding Fan(atic) and a Snowboarding Geek? Maybe the difference between doing and knowing? Is a gamer fanatic a very active gamer, and a gamer geek someone who knows way too much about games?
August 28th, 2008 at 2:20
I think a fanatic is generally considered someone who peruses something to the point that it becomes detrimental to other aspects of life (I admit to getting a bit fanatical at times about about web cruising and old movies on TV). Being a geek, on the other hand (and in the sense Melinda uses) seems more like a functional enthusiasm- pursuit of knowledge and pleasure without too much life interference. Unless, of course, you juggle six pursuits at once!
August 28th, 2008 at 11:51
The groups you’re seem pretty broad, plus there’s lots of crossover. For example, I have many aspects of the sci-fi geek – books, tv, movies, games, etc. But other sci-fi geeks may not have all of those. Also, on books, I’d call myself a major book person, but I’ve probably only read ~1% (at most) of any list of the “top 100 books”, unless they’re sci-fi, then I’ve probably read a lot of them.
Also, computer geeks? Programmers, game players, hardware folk, embedded systems, crypto? I’m not even in all those camps, and I can probably find a few others that I am. It’s too broad a term.
I think the better grouping is “topics you can happily waffle on about for half an hour if no-one stops you”, and then I can add my minor amateur interest in theoretical linguistics. I am a geek of many interests, but I wouldn’t call myself a specific geek.
August 28th, 2008 at 19:35
Came in via problogger. Very much enjoyed this post.
Thing is – if you say you’re 6 degrees of geek, but then define geekiness as a passionate devotion with extensive knowledge of a particular interest, can you really be geeky about multiple things?
“Geek” implies the opposite of someone more well-rounded. You need to argue that not everyone can be well-rounded, that specialized is “good” in a way, that “balanced” is a mark of making everyone the same, blah blah.
I mean, I think the comments you’re getting in this thread are nitpicky because your use of the word is spiraling out of control, not because we’re terribly concerned with geekiness vs. nerdiness or something. And what’s fascinating is why it is spiraling out of control – by putting forth the most appreciative definition of geekiness, you made it something it isn’t. Plenty of people have extensive knowledge of a subject and are devoted to it. You want to say they’re geeks, but alas, no one else is going to say that. For those people might be “scholars” or “experts” or “professionals,” each devoted to their field passionately and maybe even obsessively, but somehow can’t tell you about the difference between Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition and 3rd Edition at length.
In other words: we’re getting on your case because you’re doing something more formal when you should be looking at other people and asking why they get the reputation they do. Why did geek become synonymous with stereotypes you reject? There’s no truth to those at all?
August 28th, 2008 at 23:42
@Cristiano and @Wade: I think the difference between a fanatic and a geek would be something like this: a movie fanatic attempts to go to every movie, while the movie geek would know weird obscure facts about the movie. I think the geek relishes the amount of obscure knowledge he knows about a certain topic, while the fanatic relishes the activity itself. Does that make sense?
@Tom: You’re right: the groups are very broad, and there is a lot of crossover. But I don’t think that should withhold you from calling yourself a “something”-geek. I haven’t read the top 1% of the top 100 books (wait that would be 1 book…), but still I call myself a book geek. Why? Cause once I start reading a book I can get obsessed with it. I can go 6 hours straight sitting on the same spot, trying to finish a book. I’ll stay up to daylight to finish a book. I can recall almost every single book I’ve read and most probably most of the plot and characters. Same goes for movies and video games.
@ashok: Great that you enjoyed my post! Let me see if I can answer all your questions, cause you’ve raised more than one point (hoping I don’t skip anything). Yes, I think you can be geeky about several things. Why wouldn’t you be able to be passionate about multiple topics? Maybe it is a memory issue and that it does depend on how many facts your brain can hold. Then you mention:
Okay, 2 things: 1. I don’t think every geek knows what the difference between D&D 2nd edition and 3rd edition is. Then you’re assuming that every geek plays D&D, which I think they don’t. 2. I think the difference between a scholar/expert and a geek comes into play with the term geeking out. A geek will geek out over some weird new fact they’ve found out, getting a kick/rush from it. That’s not to say there aren’t scholars/experts that aren’t geeks. But there are scholars/experts that aren’t geeks; those that know a lot about a subject, but don’t necessarily get excited about every obscure little thing. You are right though, that not everyone will say they are a geek.
Then to answer your last questions: the word “geek” has evolved over the years. I mean it used to mean a circus performer! I’m not rejecting stereotypes. “Geek” already has lost it’s socially inept/non-social reputation; most people tend to agree on that. The part I was rejecting was that the default is tech-geek. I mean, other types of geeks have been around for ages; I’m not coining the term movie-geek or math-geek for the first time, right?
August 29th, 2008 at 0:51
Well I loved the title and the post was interesting. Great comment discussion going on. My take is to e a good geek you probably have to be less rounded, so one or two major geek interests so to speak. Thanks!
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:14
Very good response, Melinda. I completely agree. Geekiness is more about knowledge, while fanaticism is more about sort of out-of-control actions.
You have one of the more entertaining personal blogs I’ve visited. You’re good at this stuff.
September 4th, 2008 at 23:40
@Laurie and Wade: Thanks! I’m glad people like what I write