Are videogames the most unifying part of nerd/geek society?

[TheSegaSaturnGuy]

To me I think that gaming does not label one a nerd. I consider someone a geek or nerd based on how they present themselves. If I see someone with a Pokemon t-shirt on and a Pikachu plush hanging from their backpack and an NES belt buckle I would consider them a nerd.

[Forlorn Drifter]

To me I think that gaming does not label one a nerd. I consider someone a geek or nerd based on how they present themselves. If I see someone with a Pokemon t-shirt on and a Pikachu plush hanging from their backpack and an NES belt buckle I would consider them a nerd.

Yeah, but that's the thing, a person who presents themselves that way may in no way be a nerd. I know quite a few people who have those things, and guess what? They've never seen a NES and don't know any Pokemon besides Pikachu. Can you really call someone like that a nerd?

[oxymoron]

Can you really call someone like that a nerd?

Not at all. You call them a hipster.

[mjmjr25]

To me there are three important pillars of modern geekdom.

1) Gaming
2) Anime/Manga
3) Discussion forums

The third one is, perhaps, the most defining trait. No other subculture has such a heavy internet presence and you could argue that the internet is nerdy in and on itself.

Belonging to a discussion forum equates to "geekdom"? I don't personally know a single person over 18 who isn't on a forum of some sort.

More importantly I don't know why OP or anyone else for that matter feels the need to place a title on themselves or their hobbies.

[AppleQueso]

More importantly I don't know why OP or anyone else for that matter feels the need to place a title on themselves or their hobbies.

It's Forlorn Drifter...

[Erik_Twice]

More importantly I don't know why OP or anyone else for that matter feels the need to place a title on themselves or their hobbies.

There's no particular need but it would be dumb to deny there's no such thing as a geek, a punk or a modder. We belong to a subculture, like it or not.

And the internet was key in the development of this subculture because it allowed even the fringest of interests to be discussed. Before the advent of forums and other virtual avenues of communication geeks could only engage in big yet still not mainstream interests like Star Wars or roleplaying games and it was key in bringing stuff like fanfiction, anime and board games into the culture. No other subculture has as much of a presence online and no other subculture has shaped internet culture as heavily as geeks have.

[Luke]

I play and collect video games. I am not part of a subculture.

[Erik_Twice]

I play and collect video games. I am not part of a subculture.

No man is an island.

[Luke]

I play and collect video games. I am not part of a subculture.

No man is an island.

Well, I'm not part of Country Nerd nor the Geek Continent.

Gaming is so mainstream it's ridiculous to call it a nerd or geek activity. Every socioeconomic demo seems to be playing video games these days. Playing video games has little to do with defining your "status", and this conversation is silly.

[mjmjr25]

More importantly I don't know why OP or anyone else for that matter feels the need to place a title on themselves or their hobbies.

There's no particular need but it would be dumb to deny there's no such thing as a geek, a punk or a modder. We belong to a subculture, like it or not.

And the internet was key in the development of this subculture because it allowed even the fringest of interests to be discussed. Before the advent of forums and other virtual avenues of communication geeks could only engage in big yet still not mainstream interests like Star Wars or roleplaying games and it was key in bringing stuff like fanfiction, anime and board games into the culture. No other subculture has as much of a presence online and no other subculture has shaped internet culture as heavily as geeks have.

I don't agree with anything you said on any level. I have dozens of hobbies; I do not belong to dozens of "subcultures" - I think you are confusing the two.

Of those hobbies; sure the internet has expanded them and brought smaller groups together. However, I don't know what you base the statement that without the internet "geeks could only engage in big yet still mainstream interests..." ???? Just because they may have been smaller groups or more localized; hobbies were still enjoyed and participated in - I don't know what you're trying to say here.

As far as, "...no other subculture has shaped internet culture as heavily as geeks have." Again, I don't agree with the term "subculture" or "geek", but the only way this statement is true is if you consider everyone who uses the internet...as a geek.

Regarding hobbies benefiting from the internet; Video Gaming is only one of dozens, more likely hundreds, that have grown at the same or possibly larger levels. My wife belongs to Quilting, Music and Photography forums. There are extremely large and active forums for all of those. I belong to Woodworking and Religious forums. There are large and extremely active forums for those. However no "subculture" has shaped the internet more than Pornography.