How do you define the word geek? Here’s why I’m asking: Yesterday, I started reading the next book I’ll be reviewing for EW, Allyson Beatrice’s Will the Vampire People Please Leave the Lobby?. It’s a collection of essays on life as one of the leading cyber-supporters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (pictured), Angel, and Firefly — and how Beatrice’s "true adventures in cult fandom" completely changed hers. (In addition to finding a family in the online communities devoted to the shows and validation in an initially antagonistic friendship with producer/writing hero Tim Minear, she also cofounded a company that plans Internet fan community events and entertainment industry gatherings).The title of the book refers to the condescending way non-believers address Buffy fanatics when the latter are, say, greeting each other loudly at a convention. S—, I’ve been to one Buffy fan convention. Am I a geek? Why have I never considered myself a geek? Quick, someone define geek!
According to the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (that I didn’t even know I had in my cubicle — and that, I should probably note, is copyrighted 1998), a geek is: (1) A person often of an intellectual bent who is disapproved of, and (2) A carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake.Let’s just move past No. 2 (which made my day) and tackle No. 1: Does the word still always have a negative connotation? Maybe the five years I’ve spent in EW’s safe-harbor halls have made me totally delusional, but today, if I hear someone called a geek, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna like him or her — or, at the very least, be fascinated for a moment. It’s like Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore) says in Never Been Kissed: "The smart kids, who everyone else always knew as the brains, but who I just knew as my soulmates, my teachers, my friends." (I’m sure you’re tempted to define the word loser for me right now, but please resist.)
Assuming we agree that geek doesn’t have to be a diss (safe to say I’m preaching to the choir here on PopWatch, no?), let’s break it down further: Are you a geek if you appreciate certain things on any level (traditionally, sci-fi, comics, videogames), or does your geek status depend not on what you like but on how much you like it? So, for instance, do you only become a geek if you’re a Buffy fan who starts following the careers of the show’s writers and producers?Are you automatically entered into geekdom if you like anything that’s not "mainstream"? South Park still has cult ratings by virtue of being on cable — are you a geek if you like that show? Would you ever consider calling Sopranos or Deadwood fans geeks? Are you a geek if you watch DVD bonus features? Or, only if you sit through commentary tracks hoping to hear pearls like Deadwood’s Ian McShane calling his purposely uninformative audio with Timothy Olyphant over the Season 2 opener (where Olyphant’s Seth Bullock bones Alma Garret) a "boner feature"? Or is a geek simply anyone who’s passionate about something that you’re not into?
So back to the original question that spawned my identity crisis: How do you define the word geek? And are there still occasions when you feel persecuted for being one?
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Being a geek to some is still a negative statement, but to there are so many who do view it as a positive. To me? Totally a positive. (And a good barometer on whether a guy is for you – if you say “I’m a geek” and he says “Aw, don’t be hard on yourself” then you know it won’t work.) Geek = someone who has a love or passion that they actively seek others to discuss. (Bonus points if you actively seek to discuss that love online.) It’s not just sci-fi. There are tech geeks. There are fantasy geeks. The only people who could fall into the category of being a geek (by my definition) but don’t are sports fans, because they have their own heirarchy.
I do not believe geek to be a negative word anymore…at least not to most people. I myself proudly proclaim my geekdom. The strange thing is that what made me incredibly unpopular and picked on in high school in the 90s is now trendy and acceptable. Gaming has gone mainstream (though I still hold my serious geekdom here by being a Japanese RPG fangirl), anime is popular (no more buying bootleg fansubbed tapes in a tiny basement shop in Chinatown), reading is encouraged and not looked upon as odd and Star Wars is cool again. I got harassed so much in high school for my Star Wars love. I’m a proud otaku gaming, Star Wars loving geek who absorbs fantasy novels and manga like water.
I do think geek can go into other genres outside of the usual culprits. However, though say the Sopranos one could apply…saying your a Sopranos geek just sounds odd. At least to me anyways.
Interesting question that I suppose is way to complex to have a single answer. I’m a self-described geek as well. While my gut instinct was to reply that it constituted being into anything that is not mainstream, further thinking convinces me that this is not entirely the case. STAR WARS, for example, is extremely popular, and that world is filled with geeks. I guess when it all comes down to it being a geek means doing certain things on behalf of something you are truly passionate about and looking less than cool while doing it.
I don’t think that geek is a negative thing. I’m a total geek! Gamer, avid water of cult classic television and movies, am always with a book (or four) love the latest tech gadgets…
When someone calls me a geek, either in fun or to try to annoy me, I laugh and thank them.
… and then wait for them to ask me for tech support.
First off, I’m so happy and proud to see fellow female geeks/nerds/whatever here! I think the idea of a “geek” or “fanboy/girl” has changed a lot in the past decade or so. For one thing, it’s not a male dominated thing anymore as it used to be. It’s starting to become more apparent to people that some girls do enjoy gaming, anime, comics, and other geeky things. I think this is most evident in just how much shoujo manga (“shoujo” is Japanese word for “girl”, but it refers to a the genre of the manga) is available on the market today. In fact, manga these days seems to almost be female dominated.
I don’t think you have to like fantasy or sci-fi to be a geek. Sports fans can be geeks. There are plenty of sports fanboys out there, but they’re not called such because being a sports fan is more cultrually acceptable. Same thing for women who collect designer purses. How is that different from any other collector? We’re all geeks about something! Let’s all embrace our geekdom. It’s fun!
Huzzah for geek-girl solidarity! I agree with all of the pervious comments. Being a geek is seen as slightly odd, amusing, and bemusing to those who are more main-stream but I don’t think it’s as big of a social impedament as it used to be. Just look at DragonCon in Atlanta, 45,000 people showed up last year, and there are already more than that pre-registered for this year (Including me!) That alone shows that there are more geeks out there than ever, or perhaps just that we don’t feel the need to hide it as much as we used to.
I think that being a geek is defined by having more than the usual enthusiasim/knowledge for something that others wouldn’t consider that interesting. People who are still fans of shows that have been canceled for years, people who play role playing games, manga/anime otakus and comic book fanboys/girls… We all qualify, and I’m proud to say all of those and more apply to me!
Maybe a more current “Webster’s” definition of geek would read something like “geek (n) — A person of highly refined intellectual taste and discernment, one who is passionate about things truly awesome, revered as a role model in society and highly sought after as a prized mate.”
I’d like to think that, but maybe the Internet has just made it easier for geeks to find one another and affirm their geekdom, creating something of a geek echo-chamber.
“Or is a geek simply anyone who’s passionate about something that you’re not into?”
I know that’s how my friend probably describes a geek. There’s this one guy she knows and she says he’s real nice, a big sweetheart, blah blah. So I tell her to go out with him and she responds with: “No, he’s too Star Wars for me!”
I was like wow..she’s 23 years old and she can’t look past things like that. This coming from the girl who adored Backstreet Boys for most of her teen years. Sad.
P.S. I’m a geek and proud of it.
I’d take Fire’s comments a step further and say that the cultural definition of a geek is someone who is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about *anything* and, what’s more, isn’t afraid to show that enthusiasm. This contrasts with the “cool” people who aren’t demonstrably enthusiastic about anything, particularly something like Buffy or Star Wars that’s not real. However, the term “geek” seems to be applied more to TV/movie fans than, say, fine arts – you hear about Buffy/Star Trek/manga geeks all the time, but never “ballet geeks.” Hmm…
I’m going to kind of play Devil’s Advocate here. I think Mandi was partially right on asking is being geek linked to how much you like something, or how much you know about something. But I think it goes a step farther, to how much you talk about something. I love Buffy/Angel/Firefly, in fact, the entire sci-fi/fantasy genre. But I can sit down with someone who doesn’t and discuss sports, or literature, or politics. I do know some people that can’t, that unless you’re interested in hearing only about what their obsession is, you can’t hold a conversation with them. And that includes people that can’t talk anything but sports, religion, etc. It’s the line between a “like” and an “obsession”.
Look at the fandoms people are called geeks for being into, it’s the projects that are pretty much better than anything you can find in mainstream. Us “geeks” recognize the amazing talents in the industry, and that’s far from a bad thing. Isn’t the person doing the “name-calling” usually someone who thinks the best movie ever is whatever risque comedy last released?
One of my older sisters really likes those kinds of movies; mainstream horror, romance, suspense. She’ll ask me to recommend her something but says “None of that sci-fi stuff or boring movies.” By boring movies she meant indie films. *rolls eyes* One day I was at her house and had Dead Like Me on, she sat down – watched it, and absolutely loved it. I told her what show it was and explained that all the shows I watch are pretty similar. And she didn’t say another word. So, maybe next time she’ll give a recommendation of mine an actual chance.
I don’t know if it’s negative or positive, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned here, it’s that “geek” is one of those words that loses its meaning and becomes just kind of a weird noise if you read it too many times:
geek geek geek geek geek
See?
In my experience, a geek has been pegged as a fan of sci-fi.
I feel persecuted anytime I talk about BSG. If you know what BSG stands for (hey Dalton Ross!), then you must be a geek, right?
It’s a term that can be used very loosely, no matter what level of fan you are. I couldn’t care less if anyone thinks I’m one.
The way I define “geek” is closer to when Mandi said about how it describes HOW MUCH you’re into something.
Most people enjoy going to the movies, but people that are REALLY into it and seek out inside information on actors, writers, directors, etc. are “movie geeks”.
Still, for some reason sci-fi still has that stigma attached to it that if you tell someone that you simply watch a sci-fi show, they automatically think you’re a geek (they wouldn’t do that if you told them you watched “Rescue Me”)
I also agree that the word “geek” has taken a turn toward a more positive connotation, since it’s kind of implied that you have to be smart to be a geek. I’ll say it…I’m proud to be a geek!
I have always been a proud Buffy/Angel/Firefly/Serenity nerd or geek or fangirl-whatever you want to label it. Many people feel that sci-fi is cheesy and unrealistic, but in actuality Joss Whedon’s work(if I may use the master as an example)is the most beautifully written, unconventionly realistic television/film ever created. If being a “geek” means being intelligent enough to enjoy artistic greatness, sign me up!
G-groovy
E-excellent
E-exceptional
K-keen
Being a geek is cool. Unless, of course, you go so far as to actually write a book about it. (totally kidding- Allyson’s a friend
As a teacher, I’ve heard ‘my kids’ will say “I’m a Math Geek” or “I’m a Science Nerd” and mean it as something wholly positive. But those same kids might derisively refer to someone as “A computer nerd” or “an art geek.” I think geekness and nerdydom are in the eye of the beholder, yo.
RE: “geek” is one of those words that loses its meaning and becomes just kind of a weird noise if you read it too many times.
I know. It’s exactly like “banjo”.
banjo banjo banjo banjo banjo
I bet if you told someone you play guitar they’d think you’re cool, but if you told them you play banjo they’d think you’re a geek. Unless you’re Steve Martin.
We are all geeks about something. Some of us are traditional geeks in that we like Star Wars or Buffy, but the jock guys who know hockey stats off the tops of their heads, are they not geeks too?
Hooray for all the geeks around! I, too, am a geek – I think it has to do with what you like AND how much you like it. I’d think of a geek as someone who likes sci-fi, fantasy, and/or gaming alot. There are people who like other things like sports a lot – to me, they wouldn’t be geeks. Likewise, someone who casually likes sci-fi or fantasy or gaming wouldn’t really be a geek either, I think.
I do think it’s gotten cooler to be a geek. When I was a kid in the early ’90s, practically no one I knew liked Star Wars, so I was a geek. Now, Star Wars is relatively cool because of the rereleases and new movies. Same thing with stuff like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter making fantasy more mainstream. A lot of traditionally “geeky” things are hip right now.
I agree with Allyson Beatrice’s mom. I’ve been to Comic-Con for the part three years, and at a few Buffy and Firefly cons. It’s a great place for fans to get together face to face
Like ones political affiliation, religious bent, or sexual orientation being a geek is not the whole of anyone’s identity. My wife is very acquainted with my geek tendencies, as well on occasion my co-workers and friends are reminded of my less main-stream interests. My point is that a geek is never only a geek.
“Geek” is the primary word I use to define myself. I certainly don’t consider it an insult — quite the contrary!
I don’t think the word “geek” requires any specific definition, it’s just if you’re into geeky stuff, you’re a geek. You decide for yourself, I guess. There are no initiation rites or anything. =P
I’d say geeks *tend* to be kind of voracious about their fandoms — most probably want to know more beyond just what they see on the screen, etc. so they probably do know about the writers, directors, other behind-the-scenes stuff, etc. just on the basis of being hungry for it. Wanting to dissect it and all that.
I think I still primarily use geek for academia; I refer to myself as a biology geek because I get far more excited about ecology than a normal person would, and I remind my best friend that she is a med-school geek any time she e-mails snippets she finds fascinating from her pathology textbooks. But, obviously, there’s a certain amount of pride in with the ribbing and self-deprecating.
I also use it in the pop-culture sense, where it tends to be anyone who is a fan of non-mainstream entertainment (like my love of graphic novels, or my friends’ love of any band that isn’t on a major record label). I think it crosses into negativity when someone has memorized the klingon dictionary or elvish, but even though I don’t understand such levels of geek-dom, I usually (try to) figure that those people are happy and have found their niches better than lots of other people.
I think in some ways “geek” is the new “cool.” I always get annoyed when someone labels themselves a geek. Usually then I know they’re going to go on and on about the travesty that is Firefly being canceled. Same thing with people that declare themselves “weird.” You can’t label it yourself, you just are.
I love “Buffy” with my entire soul. I love it with every fiber of my being, but I’ve never been to any conventions, and limit my fandom to enthusiastic conversations. I do own all the DVDS, but I have no comics, no action figures, no posters, and as much as I love her, I will not support Sarah Michelle Gellar every time she makes a crappy movie. The thing is, I feel like as much of a geek as anyone else because my appreciation for the show is just as strong as anyone who runs a Buffy website, or organizes a Buffy sing-a-long.
I love you, Mandi. You know, but in a completely platonic, buddy kind of way. (Isn’t that a geek thing to say?) What a great blog. I thought I knew what geek meant, but after reading these postings, I think it’s still in its formitive stage. (I know, it’s been around forever, but it’s taking on an entirely new meaning.) Banjo!
Sometimes I’m called a geek and it’s meant to be negative. Sometimes I’m called a lesbian and it’s meant to be negative. I’m both and I don’t think they’re negative terms because I own them. I wear the geek, it does not wear me.
Seth Green defines geek as someone with a vast knowledge of pop culture. On the other hand I was called a band geek in high school and band has nothing to do with pop culture.
I love theatre and I passionately despise the term “theatre geek.” I do think there is a negative connotation to the terms geek, nerd, and dork. Even when someone calls him/herself a geek, they mean it to be self-deprecating. It bothers me because I don’t think being passionate or knowledgeable about a subject should make one a social pariah. So it’s “cool” not to care about anything remotely cultural? If that’s true, I guess I’d prefer to be a geek. (Although I’ll never cop to it.)
To me “Geek” means having an obsession (or strong hobby), that is not mainstream acceptable. Being overly obsessed with an idea or subject that most people are not interested in. I’m a computer geek and a pop-culture geek, and I don’t care what others thing of it. (hey I’m actually cool), but Buffy? Never seen it. Ask my about Ugly Betty or Lost though…