Yes we're all geeks, but are you happy with that?

[Mozgus]

Spawned from this thread, I was actually thinking about this yesterday. While the geek lifestyle has become more or less accepted in this country and others, it's still slightly looked down upon, I feel. Are you secure about your choice of lifestyle?

Often, when meeting new people, they want to know what you do in your spare time. Then comes a choice. Do you respond with the generic, vague answer "Oh, I just do whatever.", and move along? Or do you reply honestly about your gaming and computer-ing habits? For most people, it probably depends on the appearance of the other person.

I'll admit, I'm in the middle. I'm vague until I've known the person for a few days. By that point, you can determine if they're going to give you any shit or simply avoid you because they find you boring. I dunno about you guys, but it seems that once a person has understood that I game, work on a site, repair comps, barely watch sports, never drink, smoke, or party, or act wild in any way, that person pretty much never willingly speaks to me again. On the one hand, I don't want to know someone so shallow. On the other, 90% of the people I meet follow this pattern.

You also have to factor in your location. For me, there just aren't many geeks in Kansas. In fact, I haven't found anyone even close to the degree of geekdom as myself, and I'm really not that extreme. All I ever find are people who casually dab into GTA and Halo, and can use Yahoo Instant Messager. That's about it. In fact, it's really pissing me off in recent years. I was obviously born in the wrong place.

So am I happy about the interests I have? More or less. My hobbies keep me entertained, and even genuinely raise my spirit at times, and also simply keep my brain active. But then, it's a lonely fuckin' area for someone like me. I'm not really depressed about it. Just indifferent about it.

I don't know what my aim of this thread is, but every few years, I analyze what I do, and ask myself if I should try to conform to the population. I never find a good enough reason to do so.

[Faffel]

I'm fine with it. I tell people what I do right off the bat, and if they don't like it that's fine because they're usually idiot teeny-boppers listening to Kanye West anyway. I game and I listen to metal and that's all I do.

[Mozgus]

Hah, metal is probably our only redeeming interest, in the eyes of the masses.

[racketboy]

I don't know of many people with my interests here in Michigan either. But to be honest, I never knew of many in California either, even though I'm sure there are plenty.
While I'm sure I fit into the "geek" crowd, I don't try to fit into any specific group. There are many geeky topics that I really don't enjoy (math, Star Trek, etc), so I'm far from pure geek.

But this is the exact reason why I love the Net and this site so much is because I can share information and discussions with other people that actually share my interests. From the outside, it might look pretty sad that my only friends with these interests are online, but I really don't think there is a problem with it.

Since I've moved around so much after High School, I really don't have that many dedicated friends in the "real world". My wife really is my best friend and we enjoy a lot of the same things, but we also have our own personally interests. She enjoys scrapbooking, beading, fashion, and some casual old-school gaming. I enjoy writing, reading, business, and gaming to a greater degree. We each use the Internet to build on our particular hobbies.

It works for me, so I'm happy with it.

[Faffel]

Hah, metal is probably our only redeeming interest, in the eyes of the masses.

I've only ever met three people I'd call metalheads in person.

[Mozgus]

While I'm sure I fit into the "geek" crowd, I don't try to fit into any specific group. There are many geeky topics that I really don't enjoy (math, Star Trek, etc), so I'm far from pure geek.

Those things are more nerdy than geeky, and I'm no nerd. I fit the description of only 5% of Weird Al's White and Nerdy, and that's probably the most current and authentic nerd measurement utility out there right now.

Do you think one problem is geeks stay indoors too much to really be found? I know I do. But we all have to come out sometimes for work or class, and I still wasn't able to find many in either of those places.

[racketboy]

While I'm sure I fit into the "geek" crowd, I don't try to fit into any specific group. There are many geeky topics that I really don't enjoy (math, Star Trek, etc), so I'm far from pure geek.

Those things are more nerdy than geeky, and I'm no nerd. I fit the description of only 5% of Weird Al's White and Nerdy, and that's probably the most current and authentic nerd measurement utility out there right now.

Do you think one problem is geeks stay indoors too much to really be found? I know I do. But we all have to come out sometimes for work or class, and I still wasn't able to find many in either of those places.

Yeah, that's true.
And yeah, we probably do stay indoors more, but that may be caused by the lack of public places that let us exercise our geekiness such as arcades or stores that sell things we are interested in.

[Mozgus]

Yeah, that's true.
And yeah, we probably do stay indoors more, but that may be caused by the lack of public places that let us exercise our geekiness such as arcades or stores that sell things we are interested in.

Yeah I expected to find geek places in the city once I moved back here, and guess what? We don't have shit anymore. There's a small, barren vintage PC part shop, and theres a gamestop that is mostly just a daycare for children while parents go to the liquor store next door.

[grittykitty]

i hate not fitting in with most of my nerd friends. i'm unaware of most of the internet memes that talk about, the modern gaming they talk about (ds is all the modern gaming i care about, and not very much at that!), and all my friends generally hate my music. i'm indifferent sometimes, but i really wish i could find more eclectic nerds such as myself to hang out with. and craigslist isn't working well at all for the dating front either

[Gamerforlife]

I've had trouble finding people who are seriously into games my whole life, and still do now. It's rather annoying quite frankly.

Here's the thing, gaming is mainstream now. Yes, that's true, but all that means is that it's okay now to say you like games without people thinking you're a freak. However, there are still very few people who seem to take it seriously as a hobby outside of the internet crowd and "geeks".

I can walk up to ANYONE at work or on the street and talk about movies, tv or music and get a conversation going. Can't do that with video games. Most people like movies, music and tv and have some kind of opinion on them, but it's not like that with video games. It still seems to be a very specialized hobby for only some people. I can't just walk up to anyone and start talking about gaming. It's not as easy as asking the average person what they think of the new fall season on tv, or what their favorite movies or songs are right now.

Video games are not ingrained into our culture and society here in the states the way other forms of entertainment are. It's kind of like comic books and novels in general. Not a lot of people who can name many great novels besides Stephen King books or the latest Harry Potter novel or name some comic book characters other than Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Spiderman(not surprisingly, these characters have all had tv shows or movies). TV, movies and music have just a greater presence in our culture it seems than books, comics, and video games. Try to walk up to some random person at work and ask them about who their favorite comic book writer is. You might just get a weird look. Now try and change the topic to something on the radio or what's on tv. There's good odds you'll now how something to talk about

Maybe it's just indicative of the places I've lived in throughout the years, but this is reality as I see it. These things are STILL geek hobbies. Now, if you go to other parts of the world things are very different. Video games are huge in Japan, and you can find some kind of japanese comic in practically every magazine.

Don't even get me started on things like anime or D&D, which may never become mainstream in any way shape or form. Yes, anime is still niche. All people think of when you mention anime are Pokeman, card games and that's pretty much it. There's still a pretty fine line between geeks and non geeks in this country I think.

Even when you get into things like tv, movies, etc. How many people do you think watch stuff like Buffy, Battlestar Galactica, etc. compared to how many people watch stuff like American Idol, Monday Night football, or the latest derivative crime or cop show. Buffy, Battlestar and their ilk are "geek" shows. Now maybe something like Heroes will change that. Too bad that show is so mediocre

I'm a geek and I know it. Most "geek" hobbies, tv shows, movies, etc, etc, etc. are still very niche.