Thanks to everyone who responded to my request to define “geek.” With one day left before the six weeks are up, I figured I’d address your thoughts before I summarize all I’ve learned tomorrow.
My cousin Zain said being a geek is when you’re “hella fat” and have pimples.
- I haven’t gained weight in 6 weeks, and my skin looks the same.
My old high school debate partner Brian said that geeks are those that are unusual – they tend to be accomplished and excel in a certain field. As he states, “Accomplished people just happen to be unusual, because they achieve/read/study/possess/learn what others won’t or, more probably, cannot.” (Doesn’t that sound like the words of a debater?)
- I like this definition. In fact, this and other definitions are key contributors to my final post tomorrow. But where do I fall?
My college bud Dave (Who also created and executive produced the game show I hosted,) says a geek has knowledge that no one else cares about. Usually with regards to tech and video games, but it can go beyond that.
- So what knowledge does no one else care about? I mean for it to be knowledge, someone must have cared about it in the first place, right? Like if I wanted to learn about leaves, someone must have taken an interest in leaves and written a book before me, right?
My Co-worker and cubicle mate Simon chose to define the actual word, using a dictionary. He studied English at a liberal arts school. Figures. My favorite of his three definitions were: “overly intellectual.” The definition that a geek was a carnival performer that bit off chicken heads just wasn’t what I was going for.
- Simon is a “geek” by definition 1 standards – being overly intellectual. But it’s fun to have around the office.
Kunal, my dearest college friend whose wedding I will soon be emceeing, says that in high school, it was a nerdy person who studied all the time. Now, it’s too subjective to define.
- Kunal. Geek is the guy in the science fair picture. KIDDING!
My Boston friend Azum says that a geek is an eccentric type that lacks social skills. But then turns to Wikipedia (in a geek move himself,) to define it as one who is “overly obsessed with the phenomena of something, be it electronics or exotic bugs.”
- I like this idea/definition. I get overly obsessed with things and go through phases. Again, another post that has aided in tomorrow’s post.
Shashin, another UMass friend, says that a geek is someone smart when it comes to computers, and suggests that because I can’t put IKEA furniture together, I must not be worthy of the title.
- I think we’ve all learned by now that I’m not exactly computer-savvy.
Raj, my friend who I saw yesterday, suggests a geek is unusual – in behavior, in terms of losing things, and in terms of learning things that are beyond necessary, and suggests that those qualities are found in some of my close friends.
- Raj just likes calling people out.
John Bishop, my most favorite sports director who was 2 grades older than me, gave me advice from Eminem. It’s no wonder he captured my heart. But he basically says a geek is someone that cares alot about stuff no one really cares about.
- I think John would be a great geek if he tried.
Naureen, my dearest family friend that forced me to tolerate sci-fi, suggests a geek is someone that just knows things for the sake of knowing things.
- Again, a recurring theme of many definitions listed…
Ahmed, another SC friend I havent seen in a while, says a geek is quirky…interested in stuff normal people would be bored by.
- You’re like the 10th person who has suggested such a definition. Did you just steal theirs?
My dearest friend and travel buddy Madeeha, who I will be seeing in an hour, says a geek is two-fold: can be knowledgeable, or can be the one that sits at home playing video games (not gonna lie…Rockband is quite addicting.)
- I think when we’re both together, we’re super geeky.
OK I can’t address all of these, I have to leave for SF soon.
My concluding thoughts: A geek is someone who is overly obsessed with an idea or thing that no one else cares about. They may excel, or they may lack social skills. I think one thing we can agree on, though, is that a geek just gets really excited over things no one else cares about.
Oh, like being a geek.
So am I geek because I’m obsessed with the idea of being a geek?
Posted by Samia Khan 
