Thursday, September 22, 2011

You're Not a Geek or a Nerd

Remember that "insulting" thing you used to call me when we were children? You know, the term which was synonymous with loser. Yeah, that never had any fucking thing to do with playing Nintendo. I don't know if it's true, but I remember Kevin Smith talking about the origin of the word geek: The guy at the freak show who bit the heads off chickens. So, I understand that the times have changed. But since when are mindless video game addicts, "geeks or nerds?"

A lot of people on the Internet have "taken it back," however, most of them didn't grow up in that era when you actually had a Johnny (Karate Kid) in your school. Don't get me wrong, that's a very good thing. But I hail from a time when being on the Internet meant you didn't have a "life." And really, I don't even know what a geek is anymore. Let's search on google and see the first image that comes up.

According to the results, sans Thinkgeek, nothing has changed in the past 20 years ... well, maybe the cartoon with a guy reading manga. But still, that can't be right. This doesn't look anything like you do. According to your definition: It's a guy who dresses like every other person and fits right in. The kind of bro who can't be bothered to type full words that could be phonetically replaced with a single letter. Oh, that's right: you play video games, a lot. You have all the Call of Duties and Maddens. You better watch it, buddy; you're one small step away from a pocket protector.

This is the same gripe I have with the term gamer. Honestly, who doesn't play video games, ever? I'll tell you what, roll a crit and we'll let you in. That last statement was rhetorical. 

3 comments:

  1. I have actually been going through a "what does it all mean?" jag about geekyness. We do a geek night with some friends of ours and their kids. It started out as sharing different SciFi shows we were into and has included video games, board games/Magic The Gathering and Harry Potter parties. I like the term Geek Night and that we have it every Friday, but sometimes we just drink and play guitar and sing.

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  2. If you haven't, you need to play the Battle Star Galactica board game. I think that will get everyone back on track. It's so filled with paranoia and mayhem. And there are some great play-through videos on Youtube for it. Or you do something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ao5aLf48YE

    Another great game I like: Heroscape. :)

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  3. I saw Wil Wheaton was playing that the other day. Haha. I'm also looking at getting the Castle Ravenloft board game. And definitely need to try drunk Trivial Pursuit.

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