A geek by any other name....
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Along the lines of the thread below.... What is geekness anyway. I mean is someone a geek because they are a programmer, or network guy?? Would I be a geek simply because I watch Star Trek sometimes? or have read Heinlein and Asimov?? I am a geek if work on my computer on a Friday, because I just don't feel like going out to another lame bar telling the same jokes as last week?? Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? What is a geek? BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
I think that "Geekdom" is evolving. When my Dad was 20 the results of an aptitude test showed he should become a programmer. However, assembler looked so boring that he took his maths brain & became a stock broker instead. Now that he sees the windows/web stuff I am doing, he wishes he was 30 years younger. Basically, the geek of 30 years ago, and the geek of today are not the same thing. Today someone into programming is not necessarily a one tracked minded binary speaking machine, but someone with diverse interests, all of which add to the quality of his products. Well, my opinion anyway... ;)
The following statement about your geekness is true. The previous statement about your geekness is false.
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Along the lines of the thread below.... What is geekness anyway. I mean is someone a geek because they are a programmer, or network guy?? Would I be a geek simply because I watch Star Trek sometimes? or have read Heinlein and Asimov?? I am a geek if work on my computer on a Friday, because I just don't feel like going out to another lame bar telling the same jokes as last week?? Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? What is a geek? BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
I reckon it's not any one thing, unless you're morbidly obsessed with it*, however, if you find yourself intensely interested in several areas of it* then there is a strong chance that you are one also :) Another definition might be someone who, not content with programming all day and going home to entertain themselves on a computer, also finds time to post on message boards asking for things like "what is a geek?", likewise, those who bother to answer as well :) * - an interest commonly associated with "geeks" "The folly of man is that he dreams of what he can never achieve rather than dream of what he can."
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I reckon it's not any one thing, unless you're morbidly obsessed with it*, however, if you find yourself intensely interested in several areas of it* then there is a strong chance that you are one also :) Another definition might be someone who, not content with programming all day and going home to entertain themselves on a computer, also finds time to post on message boards asking for things like "what is a geek?", likewise, those who bother to answer as well :) * - an interest commonly associated with "geeks" "The folly of man is that he dreams of what he can never achieve rather than dream of what he can."
phykell wrote: also finds time to post on message boards asking for things like "what is a geek?", likewise, those who bother to answer as well LOL :laugh:
The following statement about your geekness is true. The previous statement about your geekness is false.
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I think that "Geekdom" is evolving. When my Dad was 20 the results of an aptitude test showed he should become a programmer. However, assembler looked so boring that he took his maths brain & became a stock broker instead. Now that he sees the windows/web stuff I am doing, he wishes he was 30 years younger. Basically, the geek of 30 years ago, and the geek of today are not the same thing. Today someone into programming is not necessarily a one tracked minded binary speaking machine, but someone with diverse interests, all of which add to the quality of his products. Well, my opinion anyway... ;)
The following statement about your geekness is true. The previous statement about your geekness is false.
Megan Forbes wrote: Today someone into programming is not necessarily a one tracked minded binary speaking machine, but someone with diverse interests, all of which add to the quality of his products. Well put Megan! I myself have an Aerospace Engineering degree and a minor in Psychology, and yet here I sit, developing software and puttin' in some time on CP :cool: Nitron _________________________________________-- message sent on 100% recycled electrons.
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Along the lines of the thread below.... What is geekness anyway. I mean is someone a geek because they are a programmer, or network guy?? Would I be a geek simply because I watch Star Trek sometimes? or have read Heinlein and Asimov?? I am a geek if work on my computer on a Friday, because I just don't feel like going out to another lame bar telling the same jokes as last week?? Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? What is a geek? BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
brianwelsch wrote: Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? Every profession has geeks, just like IMHO every profession has hackers.
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Along the lines of the thread below.... What is geekness anyway. I mean is someone a geek because they are a programmer, or network guy?? Would I be a geek simply because I watch Star Trek sometimes? or have read Heinlein and Asimov?? I am a geek if work on my computer on a Friday, because I just don't feel like going out to another lame bar telling the same jokes as last week?? Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? What is a geek? BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
I consider myself to be a non-geek coder, cause I don't wear glasses (geeks are supposed to be myopic), I do appreciate beauty in women (geeks are supposed to be blind to female beauty), I drink beer (geeks take only coffee), I smoke cigs (geeks hate tobacco) and I am the author of a romantic comedy (geeks can't write half a sentence right or spell three words in a row correctly). Nish non-geek coder
Author of the romantic comedy Summer Love and Some more Cricket [New Win] Review by Shog9 Click here for review[NW]
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Along the lines of the thread below.... What is geekness anyway. I mean is someone a geek because they are a programmer, or network guy?? Would I be a geek simply because I watch Star Trek sometimes? or have read Heinlein and Asimov?? I am a geek if work on my computer on a Friday, because I just don't feel like going out to another lame bar telling the same jokes as last week?? Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? What is a geek? BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
A geek, besides being occasionally identifiable by appearance (zits, big glasses, poor fitting clothes, bad color schemes, unkempt hair), is someone who uses multisyllabic words at a greater frequency than the average population (cite this sentence), doesn't necessarily mingle well with the "average" crowd (thus may have a stunted social/sex life) but mingles very well with other "geeks/nerds", and, most importantly, gives the other person the impression that the geek in question is somehow "smarter", especially when identified as the person the boss goes to when a technology-involved problem needs resolving. Think "Dilbert". Marc
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I consider myself to be a non-geek coder, cause I don't wear glasses (geeks are supposed to be myopic), I do appreciate beauty in women (geeks are supposed to be blind to female beauty), I drink beer (geeks take only coffee), I smoke cigs (geeks hate tobacco) and I am the author of a romantic comedy (geeks can't write half a sentence right or spell three words in a row correctly). Nish non-geek coder
Author of the romantic comedy Summer Love and Some more Cricket [New Win] Review by Shog9 Click here for review[NW]
sounds like denial to me, Nish. ;P BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
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A geek, besides being occasionally identifiable by appearance (zits, big glasses, poor fitting clothes, bad color schemes, unkempt hair), is someone who uses multisyllabic words at a greater frequency than the average population (cite this sentence), doesn't necessarily mingle well with the "average" crowd (thus may have a stunted social/sex life) but mingles very well with other "geeks/nerds", and, most importantly, gives the other person the impression that the geek in question is somehow "smarter", especially when identified as the person the boss goes to when a technology-involved problem needs resolving. Think "Dilbert". Marc
what a weenie..... :laugh: I know people with some characteristics, but the full-fledged geek by your definition, is become a rare species indeed. They kind of remind me of penguins. Some admiriable qualities, and the ability to manage in environments nobody else would even think of living in, but overall, you can't help feeling bad that their wings just won't let them fly. BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
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Along the lines of the thread below.... What is geekness anyway. I mean is someone a geek because they are a programmer, or network guy?? Would I be a geek simply because I watch Star Trek sometimes? or have read Heinlein and Asimov?? I am a geek if work on my computer on a Friday, because I just don't feel like going out to another lame bar telling the same jokes as last week?? Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? What is a geek? BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
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Along the lines of the thread below.... What is geekness anyway. I mean is someone a geek because they are a programmer, or network guy?? Would I be a geek simply because I watch Star Trek sometimes? or have read Heinlein and Asimov?? I am a geek if work on my computer on a Friday, because I just don't feel like going out to another lame bar telling the same jokes as last week?? Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? What is a geek? BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
brianwelsch wrote: What is a geek? I have to go with this definition from dictionary.com: A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept That is what I think of as a geek. Someone who gets so "lost" in their work that they have problems in a "normal" social environment. You or I may be able to talk to another person about non-work related stuff quite fine, but a geek would have problems.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa -
brianwelsch wrote: What is a geek? I have to go with this definition from dictionary.com: A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept That is what I think of as a geek. Someone who gets so "lost" in their work that they have problems in a "normal" social environment. You or I may be able to talk to another person about non-work related stuff quite fine, but a geek would have problems.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaI think of it the same way, only not really limited to technical pursuits. I remember a buddy of mine who was really into music. It was his whole life, and didn't have much to say outside of that. He'd talk to me about funky timings used in such and such a song, and everybody else would just take off. I usually listened anyway, because I find it fascinating how some people get so into something, and I'm always into learning more about just about anything. If you tune in right, you can get the excitement they feel about it, and run with it for a while yourself. BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
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I think of it the same way, only not really limited to technical pursuits. I remember a buddy of mine who was really into music. It was his whole life, and didn't have much to say outside of that. He'd talk to me about funky timings used in such and such a song, and everybody else would just take off. I usually listened anyway, because I find it fascinating how some people get so into something, and I'm always into learning more about just about anything. If you tune in right, you can get the excitement they feel about it, and run with it for a while yourself. BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
brianwelsch wrote: because I find it fascinating how some people get so into something, and I'm always into learning more about just about anything. If you tune in right, you can get the excitement they feel about it, and run with it for a while yourself. Absolutely agree. I had a friend who was really quite brilliant at science and he would come over to me, his eyes all glazed over and just start spouting what he had learnt or figured out, all in this incredibly energetic fashion. I understood about every 10th word but I was just amazed and fascinated by, as you say it, what they are feeling. You don't have to understand what they are talking about, you just have to stop being an image concious person and be drawn in for awhile. I was reading a Jack Kerouac book the other day and I loved that part of the beat generation. How people were so willing to just experience the energy and excitement of another person or situation. No pretentions or deep analysis of every single thing, just a "go with it, grab on, grab that energy and go with it man." I think that kind of thinking is key to really experiencing a new experience. I used to think I hated Jazz, thought it was a load of crap. Then one day a friend just dragged me into some joint and told me to shutup, to stop thinking and just go with it. I came out really excited, not because I had actually enjoyed the "music" but because the musician was just so incredibly energised and everyone around him was just pumped. :-O Well I just think people need to experience things for what they are instead of trying to pre-analyze things so much.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa -
sounds like denial to me, Nish. ;P BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
brianwelsch wrote: sounds like denial to me, Nish :laugh::laugh: Well said Brian, well said indeed.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa -
brianwelsch wrote: because I find it fascinating how some people get so into something, and I'm always into learning more about just about anything. If you tune in right, you can get the excitement they feel about it, and run with it for a while yourself. Absolutely agree. I had a friend who was really quite brilliant at science and he would come over to me, his eyes all glazed over and just start spouting what he had learnt or figured out, all in this incredibly energetic fashion. I understood about every 10th word but I was just amazed and fascinated by, as you say it, what they are feeling. You don't have to understand what they are talking about, you just have to stop being an image concious person and be drawn in for awhile. I was reading a Jack Kerouac book the other day and I loved that part of the beat generation. How people were so willing to just experience the energy and excitement of another person or situation. No pretentions or deep analysis of every single thing, just a "go with it, grab on, grab that energy and go with it man." I think that kind of thinking is key to really experiencing a new experience. I used to think I hated Jazz, thought it was a load of crap. Then one day a friend just dragged me into some joint and told me to shutup, to stop thinking and just go with it. I came out really excited, not because I had actually enjoyed the "music" but because the musician was just so incredibly energised and everyone around him was just pumped. :-O Well I just think people need to experience things for what they are instead of trying to pre-analyze things so much.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaPaul Watson wrote: I was reading a Jack Kerouac book I read On the Road, and Dharma Bums. He's great for describing that level of humanity. It helped me to break down my own prejudices. I used to wonder how people can be so stupid, now I admire them for getting in there and trying things. It's no fun benching yourself for the whole game. BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
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I consider myself to be a non-geek coder, cause I don't wear glasses (geeks are supposed to be myopic), I do appreciate beauty in women (geeks are supposed to be blind to female beauty), I drink beer (geeks take only coffee), I smoke cigs (geeks hate tobacco) and I am the author of a romantic comedy (geeks can't write half a sentence right or spell three words in a row correctly). Nish non-geek coder
Author of the romantic comedy Summer Love and Some more Cricket [New Win] Review by Shog9 Click here for review[NW]
Nishant S wrote: geeks are supposed to be blind to female beauty Says who!?!? Geeks can be so focused and intense they can literally burn what is beautiful about a women into the very air they speak into. They understand beauty and cherish it, though admitedly they see more the inner beauty than the outer beauty. Nishant S wrote: I am the author of a romantic comedy (geeks can't write half a sentence right or spell three words in a row correctly). Shaekspeare was a geek, so were a lot of great poets. Well at least I think so :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa -
I consider myself to be a non-geek coder, cause I don't wear glasses (geeks are supposed to be myopic), I do appreciate beauty in women (geeks are supposed to be blind to female beauty), I drink beer (geeks take only coffee), I smoke cigs (geeks hate tobacco) and I am the author of a romantic comedy (geeks can't write half a sentence right or spell three words in a row correctly). Nish non-geek coder
Author of the romantic comedy Summer Love and Some more Cricket [New Win] Review by Shog9 Click here for review[NW]
I drink beer (geeks take only coffee), Maybe geeks on your side of the world take only coffee, but I know a lot of geeks that drink soft drinks -- Mountain Dew being a favorite (but they aren't limited to just that one). ------------------------------------------ "Isn't it funny how people say they'll never grow up to be their parents, then one day they look in the mirror and they're moving aircraft carriers into the Gulf region?" - The Onion
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Along the lines of the thread below.... What is geekness anyway. I mean is someone a geek because they are a programmer, or network guy?? Would I be a geek simply because I watch Star Trek sometimes? or have read Heinlein and Asimov?? I am a geek if work on my computer on a Friday, because I just don't feel like going out to another lame bar telling the same jokes as last week?? Is geekdom reserved for technical folks, or can you be a musical geek, philosophical geek, archeaological geek, etc...? What is a geek? BW {insert witty/thought-provoking saying here}
According to the Onion, you can be a democracy geek[^]. (The Onion, of course, is the authority on everything.) ------------------------------------------ "Isn't it funny how people say they'll never grow up to be their parents, then one day they look in the mirror and they're moving aircraft carriers into the Gulf region?" - The Onion