Not as Geek as You Think You Are

I have been thinking about what it means to be a "geek". I refer to myself as a geek, and I think if I'm going to do so I ought to know what it means. I do undoubtedly geeky things such as: play role playing games, read science books, and obsess over video games. I also have a sizable stash of collectible trading cards (LotR, Magic, and Star Wars). I'm pretty sure I qualify.

A large part of why I like geeks, and like being a geek is because geeks are smart. I have always thought being smart was a good quality, even in elementary school when it wasn't cool to be smart because everyone was stupid.

This is the definition of the word according to http://www.merriam-webster.com.

geek

noun \ˈgēk\

Definition of GEEK

1

: a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake

2

: a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked

3

: an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity <computer geek>

— geek·dom gēk-dəm -noun

— geek·i·ness -noun

— geeky gē-kē-adjective

Now, just to clear things up, I am not a carny. I have never bitten the head off of anything, except perhaps figuratively. My point here is that I find the definition to be rather vague. I was hoping for some sort of clarity because I find myself getting extremely irritable over people claiming geek status over things like sparkly vampires.

It is for just this reason that I'm not fond of the term "geeking out". Kids seem to be "geeking out" over everything. You could be "geeking out" over your iphone, but that does not make you a geek. 

I am going to add a short, and in no way comprehensive list of things that I vote do not qualify. Please note that you do not need to to agree with my list. Feel free to leave a comment about your feelings either way. I know I frequently write about plenty of non-geek things. That's not the point of this post. I'm not saying that you should only like geeky things and some of the things on the list can be geeky when done in certain ways. I'm simply saying that these things by them selves are not inherently geeky.

The Not Geeky List

Twilight

baking or being a "foodie"

Music

Crafting

Twilight

Owning an electronic device such as a computer or a smart phone

Art

Netflix, redbox or movies in general

New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn or Stephenie Meyer

Comments

[Steve]

I do some pretty geeky stuff with my computers

[SinisterForces]

I respectfully disagree. A person who passionately pursues knowledge in any field is a geek for that field. You can be a "Twilight geek" if you exhibit extreme passion for that subject. That is what the third definition that you offered is all about.

But just for the record - vampires kill you for food, do not sparkle, and burn like the rash a sailor gets from a $2 hooker when exposed to sunlight.

:)

[TheGirlyGeekBlog]

Steve, It's what you are doing with the computers that makes the geeky, not just the owning.

Sinister Forces, I would actually have to agree. But the important phrase you used was "a person who passionately pursues knowledge". In my book, if you are not actively and passionately pursuing, it doesn't count. Hence, owning a computer doesn't make you a geek, but what you do with that computer very well might.