What kind of geek are you?
The other day I was wondering to myself, if the term "geek" still inferred a higher level of intelligence in someone. Not satisfied with just mulling it over in my head I went ahead and Googled and Wiki'ed the term. The consensus seems to be that while the term does relate to a higher level of intelligence, it does not have to be focused on academia. This wasn't really all that surprising to me since I have referred to myself as a Star Wars geek, coaster geek, theme park geek, and holiday geek just to name a few. To a certain degree the term "fan" (as in aficionado or supporter) seems to have been supplanted by the term geek. Scott Johnson, a web artist, came up with 56 geek stereotypes. You probably noticed that a few of the ones I listed for myself where missing from his list (don't worry I already submitted them to him). Are there other geeks you think he missed, and more importantly what kind of geek are you? Let me know in the comments below.
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Many faces of geekdom
At least a half dozen of the 56 could describe me to one extent or another, yet none of them really "define" me. And I think that is what it is to be a geek. Geeks are those whose interests lay outside of what society calls normal. We don't buy into the same rules as others, we don't let the expectations of the majority dictate what we value and enjoy. To follow a fleeting fancy where it takes us, to gain joy from immersing ourselves in experiences for the simple pleasure of doing so, and to proudly set ourselves apart from those that never look beyond the restrictive confines of normalcy is the core of geekdom. It defies simple categorization.
I'm not sure what type of geek I am. No simple label can really sum it up. I only know that I am one, and proud to be so.
The Answer
Of course, after reading my entry above, the simple answer comes to me...
I'm a Pretentious Geek.