Got my Geek Chip today

[Hoagie_one]

I bought  a Druins interface from SaiNRuB.  got it today.  When I opened the package in front of a female co-worker, she asked what it was and before i could answer, she seen it was a circuit board and said, "Oh, its a geek chip"

I laughed.....but she's right.  I'm a geek

[ChadTower]

Am I the only person who doesn't like to be called a geek?  People are always surprised when I am insulted by that.

[JoyMonkey]

Over the last few years the term 'geek' has become much more fashionable.
Like it or not, we are all geeks. Just be thankfull that we're not nerds.




















Nerd!

[ChadTower]

Over the last few years the term 'geek' has become much more fashionable.

Fashion does not change meaning and connotation.  It's still a term of derision in my eyes.

[Hoagie_one]

i dont mind it.  It has clout.  Because everyone else in my family is a computer virgin compared to me

[JoyMonkey]

The way I see it, the general public which was probably 10% geek in 1985, is now about 90% geek.
Technology has intertwined with peoples everyday lives more and more- I see tens of people every morning listening to iPods and playing PSPs on the subway. Everyone has some interest in tech products like this and the desire to have them. People still think of hi-tech gadgets as being geek, but are more open to having them as a part of their lives.

[GGKoul]

Over the last few years the term 'geek' has become much more fashionable.
Like it or not, we are all geeks. Just be thankfull that we're not nerds.

I agree with that... Nerds is much worse then Geek.

[SirPeale]

Am I the only person who doesn't like to be called a geek?  People are always surprised when I am insulted by that.

When I was in high school, it was an extremely derogatory term.  Hearing those words made me feel...bad.

These days the term has changed.  Heck, it used to mean a guy that bites the head off chickens.  So these days I'm proud to be a geek.

[ChadTower]

When I was in high school, it was an extremely derogatory term.  Hearing those words made me feel...bad.

That's pretty much the source of my sore spot.  I was one of the head jocks, on the football team, hockey team, baseball team, hell captain of the tennis team... yet somehow I was constantly being called that because I was also in the top 5 of my class.  It was like damn what does a guy have to do to be treated like a normal human being while still having half a brain...

...so to this day, such terms of derision that are now 'terms of endearment' make me want to slap a person.

[Shape D.]

It was like damn what does a guy have to do to be treated like a normal human being while still having half a brain...

I think you have to be dumb, or the type of person who would punch someone in the face for calling you a geek.

try hearing the response you get when people find out you play dungeons and dragons though.

[ChadTower]

try hearing the response you get when people find out you play dungeons and dragons though.

I did that briefly, but not sure anyone ever found out.  It was only a couple of weeks.  I swear.

[Stingray]

Neither name bothers me now, nor did they then. Where's my ten sided die?

-S

[Harry Potter]

Watch them change their tune when they're pounding away on Raiden and ten minutes later comes this question:

How can I build one of these?

[ChadTower]

Generally, when I go back to where I used to live, I get asked the same question:

How did you end up in the career/job you have? 

They never seem to think it's because I worked ---my bottom--- off for years.  The expected answer is always "oh, I knew a guy who knew a guy" or something like that.  Never that I worked ---my bottom--- off in college or slept on porches and in my car so that I could do the best of internships to get where I am.

It saddens me a bit, actually, to see how few of my friends from back in the day have even moved out of their parents' houses as they run up on 30.

[GGKoul]

It saddens me a bit, actually, to see how few of my friends from back in the day have even moved out of their parents' houses as they run up on 30.

I have a friend that works at RIM as a senior software programmer.  He's easily making 6 figures and he still lives at home.  It's a Greek parent thing... They can never let go...

[ChadTower]

I have a friend that works at RIM as a senior software programmer.  He's easily making 6 figures and he still lives at home.  It's a Greek parent thing... They can never let go...

None of my friends are Greek.

[Zero_Hour]

Over the last few years the term 'geek' has become much more fashionable.

Fashion does not change meaning and connotation.  It's still a term of derision in my eyes.

Actually "Fashion" does exactly this. It might not change it in your eyes, but it's probably why people are surprised that you take offense.

I too had all those fun terms slogged at me for years - nerd, geek, whatever. I just remember thinking to myself, "I may be a geek, but you'll be lucky if you ever make more than $25k a year." But then I was a spiteful youth.  .

[tommy]

When I was in high school, it was an extremely derogatory term.

[ChadTower]

Geek has to do with looks not if you know what a pcb is.

Hrm... don't think it did then, at least.  I was a muscular 5-10 and very much looked the part of your slightly above average teenage jock.

[tommy]

Geek its the guy with a pencil pouch walking around talking to himself, nobody calls a jock a geek, atleast where i went to school.

Im 27 , maybe we have a big generation gap here.

[ChadTower]

Geek its the guy with a pencil pouch walking around talking to himself, nobody calls a jock a geek, atleast where i went to school.

Im 27 , maybe we have a big generation gap here.

Not really, I just turned 30 and I was called that quite a bit... definitely had to do with intelligence and the fact that I didn't do stupid things like slamming my head into lockers, or that I spoke a nonEnglish language that isn't Spanish.  It certainly wasn't appearance since I didn't look any different than any other of the better athletes.

[shmokes]

I think fashion certainly changes the connotation of the term.  Connatation is simply what a term commonly brings to mind when people hear it.  If the word "geek" ceases to bring derogatory images to mind when someone hears it, it ceases to be pejorative.  But I don't mean fashion as in six months from now the term will become pejorative again.  I mean that the world, led by the U.S. and a couple others, is going through a paradigm shift into the "computer age" or whatever, and that "geek" losing its disparaging connotation is probably a permanent and expected symptom of this fundamental change.

A computer geek has always and still is someone who is skilled with, and perhaps derives pleasure from working with computers.  But 10 or 20 years ago people like that were far from the mainstream.  Since it is, of course, the mainstream that decides what is and what isn't cool, and anything that differs from the mainstream is pretty much by default uncool, computer geeks were uncool. 

But now computers and so ubiquitous that if you don't have basic computer skills you are actually outside of the mainstream and therefore uncool.  Hell we have file extensions (e.g., .mp3) that have made it into the common vernacular.  But these tables have only recently turned, so luddites don't get it too bad yet, but the gap is only going to widen with each successive generation and pretty soon if you don't have some basic IP skills and know your way around photoshop and bittorrent you're going to be a bit of a social retard. 

And all the people who used to be computer geeks 10 and 20 years ago will be the equivelant of todays sports stars

 

[shmokes]

It's worth pointing out, also, that geek and nerd used to be pretty interchangeable, so you may still be a nerd.  I'm pretty sure that nerds are as nerdy as they ever were. 

Geek can be cool now, though a lot of geeks are still nerds.  I would say that my Maximum PC subscription is still nerdy, but my Wired subscription is totally hip.

By the way, what other language do you speak?  I hope not French.  That's unamerican.

[ChadTower]

By the way, what other language do you speak?  I hope not French.  That's unamerican.

It actually is Quebecois, and it's because I'm Canadian.  Dumbass.

[Dartful Dodger]

You're all just a bundle of sticks tied together.



I haven't said that since high school, the last time someone called me a geek.

[shmokes]

Je plaisantais seulement. J'aime beaucoup la langue fran

[DrewKaree]

I heard it put very well on the radio today.

We're not the stereotypical computer nerds anymore.  The pocket protectors, slide rules, and polyester pants are gone.  We've replaced 'em with AC/DC shirts, jeans, toolboxes, and an awe surrounding us like the car mechanic.

If someone pissed me off and they called me a geek, I'd tell 'em "Shut yer cake-crunchers before I infect you with a virus that shows you to be the feeble-minded simp you truly are.....make yourself useful and hold my Bawls"

[JoyMonkey]

If someone pissed me off and they called me a geek, I'd tell 'em "Shut yer cake-crunchers before I infect you with a virus that shows you to be the feeble-minded simp you truly are.....make yourself useful and hold my Bawls"

Wow. Have you ever been in prison Drew?

[shmokes]

How do you think he finds the time to post so much.  They're replacing weight-rooms with computer labs in prisons all over the country.

Better to have a smart and weak felon than a strong and stupid one.

[Zero_Hour]

I think the Bumper Stcker on my Buddy's car says it best (He's a Network Tech):

"I read your e-mail"

phear teh g33|<z

[DrewKaree]

Wow. Have you ever been in prison Drew?

Why, you need to be someone's girlfriend

Yeah, shmokes has it right....I get out for work release in summer.  I have a hard time saving the pasty white shade, but I found some SPF 75

[mccoy178]

I have been observing Chad Towers posts lately, he seems like one uptight mf'er.  I think the guy is smart as hell, and not a geek, but he sure is stuck on some internal issues that at some point should be let go.  I think we referred to the athletes in school who were arrogant and didn't think the world was as good as them as jerks.  So Chad, I wouldn't worry about the geek thing so much.  Maybe a vacation or counseling.  You seem a little too hung up on stuff that really, I mean really, shouldn't bother a thirty year old so much.  Go play some golf man and relax. 

P.S.  Not trying to piss the man off, but this is the best intervention I could do on my budget!  It's always hard to do the confrontation.  Now we're only nine steps away.......

[shmokes]

I think he hates me 

[RoboG2]

NERD isn't just a 4-letter word, it's a 7-figure income!   I'm only 15 though, so hopefully...

[DarkKobold]

How about Jock? I'd rather be a geek than a "jock." Note, Jock is not synonymous with athlete. Jock denotes an arrogant teenager who thinks that playing sports automatically makes him better than others.
Chad, if you played sports just to be popular, I feel bad for you. Be who you want to be. People can label me however they please, I

[Hoagie_one]

strange how these thread change into odd directions

[mccoy178]

Hoagie, your only 28 replies behind Mr. Tower.  Thought I would note it.

[missioncontrol]

geek was a bad term back in the day, but now has become a good term.....


We even call our LAN Parties..... Geek parties...........



Never had a pocket protector, but now I have a PDA

[ChadTower]

Good call on the vacation and totally accurate.

[mccoy178]

Glad you took that the right way.  You seem to have good posts, but lately I was gettin' kinda worried.

P.S.  I'm not an intervention specialist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[DrewKaree]

It did make it mighty easy to get the band chicks, though.  I could speak without grunting and wasn't a pasty white clarinet player.   

I caught crap from the other 'jocks' for dating band chicks, one guy in particular... indeed, he was really dumb, though, as my response to "you're the one who has to settle for band chicks" was always "one of those was your sister".

.....and this one time, at band camp....

[psik0tik]

I like being a geek...we know more. While a person making fun of geeks is straining to figure out a toaster shaped like an egg from target. We build our own arcade machines.

[DarkKobold]

Hey, I was a band chick!



errrrr, except for the chick part.   

[DrewKaree]

Hey, I was a band chick!



errrrr, except for the chick part.   

Someone stick a tuba on his head, I'll run him off to the  station.

[DarkKobold]

Damn you Drew Karee, I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling arcade control builders!

[shmokes]

Hey, I was a band chick!

So did you and ChadTower ever....you know.....love one another?  He was into the band chicks, you know.

[tommy]

Hey, I was a band chick!

So did you and ChadTower ever....you know.....love one another?

[DrewKaree]

Well, if shmokes is right and they DID.....you know......then really the point is moot.  They already HAVE!

[ChadTower]

You guys arent going to just take that i hope.    lmao 

He's not my type.  I didn't say I was doing the fugly band chicks.

[Dartful Dodger]

NERD isn't just a 4-letter word, it's a 7-figure income!

[shmokes]

Even now, nerd doesn't mean anything like a 7 figure income.  Computer programmers, for the most part, make about $40-$50,000 per year which isn't very much considering how specialized they are --how much information they have to know and continue learning forever.  Every time a new platform comes out it's back to the books else you'll become obsolete with the equipment you're working on. 

Add to that the crappy working conditions -- sitting in a $50 rolling office chair in a cubicle farm, stairing at a screen for 8 hours a day coding while shoving doritos and mountain dew in your pasty tummy, all the while worrying that when the project is finished and the cycle of layoffs starts up again you will be the next to go, and you've got yourself a recipe for going postal.  Based on the difficulty of learning to program and the crappy work environment, programmers deserve to be compensated like doctors.  Problem is, there's no Programmer's equivelent to the American Medical Association or American Bar Association, such as what Docs and Lawyers have to keep the politicians in their pocket so they can maintain an artificially low supply.  The people making 7 figure incomes are not computer geeks, they are entrepreneurs who also know how to program.  It's business, not computer science that is making them rich.

[jbox]

Not to mention having to remember the coversheet for the TPS reports, having eight bosses breathing down your neck each day, and then they come along and replace all of the staplers with another brand that keeps jamming up. 

[HaRuMaN]

Not to mention having to remember the coversheet for the TPS reports, having eight bosses breathing down your neck each day, and then they come along and replace all of the staplers with another brand that keeps jamming up. 

Hehe... nice Office Space reference, lol.

[ChadTower]

Even now, nerd doesn't mean anything like a 7 figure income.

[DrewKaree]

Not to mention having to remember the coversheet for the TPS reports, having eight bosses breathing down your neck each day, and then they come along and replace all of the staplers with another brand that keeps jamming up. 

What coversheet?  Why don't you just go ahead and forward that memo to me again, mmkay?


So 7 figure and 5 figure incomes....add 'em up....carry the naught....cinch up my rope belt....average the denominator.....square root...6 figure incomes it is!

And I refuse to believe ChadTower is shoving Doritos and Dew in his cake-cruncher OR that he has a pasty tummy.  He seems like the spray-on tan kinda guy

[JoyMonkey]

Have a look at this story, it seems that nerds are becoming more socially accepted. Perhaps a nerd v geek war is brewing...

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2005/04/18/at_some_local_nightspots_nerds_rule

[ChadTower]

And I refuse to believe ChadTower is shoving Doritos and Dew in his cake-cruncher OR that he has a pasty tummy.