What is a Geek?

If you think a geek is someone who wears a pocket protector or glasses with a piece of tape holding them together, and no social skills to be found, I'm glad you made it to this site. You are most likely thinking of a 'nerd'. The word geek has transformed since you obviously learned the definition. I am a geek and I am proud of it. Here is my definition (with ideas stolen from other places that seem to have explained geekdom better than I could.)

Before I get deep into the definition and explanation of a geek, it is important to note that to be a geek is to be original, so there can not be one single definition, because no two geeks are alike.

A geek is normally eccentric. One of the ultimate unforgivable things to a geek is conformity. To some, geeks seem to be 'strange'. That is because they are not satisfied with just living with the social norm. They want to experience life in their own unique way. If this mean enjoying things from different cultures, or finding joy in odd things, so be it.

A geek is normally technology oriented. The most common geek would be a computer geek. I would say this category is where I fall in. Another of the ultimate unforgivable things to a geek is stupidity. Geeks tend to be smart. Not to boast, but geeks do tend to be gifted in one area or another. And it's usually a technical area that they are gifted in.

As for appearance, a geek tends to not follow fashion. They wear what they like. Normally, this tends to be stuff that is comfortable like silk, or rayon, but rarely anything from a fashion magazine, or something like a suit and tie.

Socially, geeks tend to be introverts (they keep to themselves). They have no problem interacting with people socially. They just enjoy privacy and anonymity. Chatting on-line is a suitable way for them to communicate. That is, unless there is a meeting of geeks. Geeks tend to get along with other geeks. In fact, it is almost like we can smell our own. Geekdom, as many call it, seems as if it is its own sub-society.

As for the usage of the word 'geek', it's fairly similar to the use of the 'N bomb' when used between African-Americans, or whatever this week's politically correct term is. If you don't know what the 'N bomb' is congratulations. If you want to know what it is, look it up. Geeks also tend to be unprejudiced and don't pay much attention to stupid stuff such as race. Anyway, it's used in a derogatory way from some people, so using it geek to geek is an inside joke or something like that. The difference is, when someone tries to insult geeks by using the word, geeks can only take it like a compliment. It is only an acknowledgment that you are original and have not conformed to the social norms.

There are a few more things that are inherent to being a geek. The major one that I must mention is arrogance or 'hubris'. Geeks can tend to be very arrogant, as you may have sensed from reading this description. If you are one of those people that think anything outside of the norm is bad, you instantly fall on the low side of the importance scale to us. You have now become barely more important than sheep urine. It takes a lot to impress a geek. Shy of leading some movement that goes against the norm like, for instance, starting the open source revolution, or making great advancements in something near and dear to a geeks heart, you are not going to be anything but an equal at best.

So finally, I'm going to say that geeks are not social outcasts, but people that outcast society. When someone says they are a geek, maybe now you will have a tiny glimpse as to who this person might be, and who they are not.