One thing that I have noticed in the last couple of years is that progressively being a geek has become much more socially acceptable. At first I wondered whether or not it was because I had begun my adventure into university life, where there is a considerably smaller popularity contest but then I began to notice it when I returned home too. And then I thought, well, I'm older now, people don't care about how they are perceived quite as much when they are older. I then noticed that it was inherent in my younger sister and the circle of friends we share. But hey, maybe I'm being overly optimistic.
Yes, I am a geek. A self confessed geek. But you know what, I am proud. I am a creative mind and being a geek allows me to express that to the full whilst using what ever talent flows through my blood. That is of course not to say that those who are not geeks cannot possibly be creative. Quite the contrary, it is just that geekiness compliments my style. Anyways I am rambling.
Now, I have been a geek since as long as I can remember, and yes, I was bullied at school. Not so much in primary school, because quite frankly everyone was a geek at that age, but as soon as you enter senior school you are expected to be "cool". It's quite dog eat dog. If you are not cool you will be bullied for your nonconformist ways. Eventually I began to suppress my inner geek and tried being what I was not, and never will be...cool. Oh, how hellish those days were. But before this blog gets depressing...there is a silver lining. I woke up one morning and realised my destiny! I will forever be a geek. Ultimately if people were not willing to accept me for it then that was up to them! And I have been a fully confessed geek ever since. So anyways that was my story just so you had some perspective.
These days though, everyone wants to be a geek and these days being a geek is almost cool. This is even reflected in the media these days. In the last five years there has been the arrival of successful sit-coms such as "The Big Bang Theory" and "Beauty and the Geek" (which is depicted in the picture above). And this is just one example of many that suggests that the geek movement is on the rise.
There have been many theories as to why geek is the new cool. My friend believes it is linked to the success of the various film franchises, the example he gave was Lord of the Rings. Which yes, I can see his point but I'm not sure that it's the main reason. I have my own theory (which I'll get onto later).
I've since done a bit of digging around to see if I could find an answer and have found a few interesting, if not slightly quirky articles.
This first article explains why being a geek has become an attractive quality:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Being-a-Geek-Makes-You-Attractive&id=4071002
and this next article, though focuses on a similar vein to the one above makes some very interesting points about the rise in geeky popularity.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/22219377
But I am wondering why this has happened. Perhaps as suggested by the above articles it is because of the degree that technology has now become a part of the every day life, geeks have become the new handy men of our electronic revolution. Unfortunately my theory is a little bit more cynical (sorry guys).
You see, I have noted over the years that the majority of people strive to be different to everyone else. Everyone wants a quality that makes them stand out from the crowd, particularly young people whilst they adapt to find their place in the world. I am also guilty of this and many people who know me, know my distaste for people who like things only because every body else does. I can't quite tell you why. Most likely because of the point above. Being a fan of something with a small cult following gives you a quirky quality in some respects and gives you that feeling of individual identity. This of course is how fads begin, with people attempting to go against the social norms.
Ironically however, this has the opposite desired effect, because once those quirks are considered different enough to everyone else, some people will try to emulate it to stand out from the crowd too without fear of being rejected. (Human behaviour is an odd thing). Before long, what was considered different and quirky is considered fashionable and dare I say, "cool".
With this in mind, I present you with the process which has gotten us to the geek fad (or at least acceptance).
1) Late 90s and early 00s saw the era of the Chav though I can't really explain to you how it came about but it was a brutal and very tribalistic way of looking at things. If you were not physically tough or "hard" then you were an outcast and bullied. The only other way to redeem yourself was to be a rebel.
2) After a short while, the chav movement began to get negative attention and so people sort to distance themselves from it. During the chav era, the mortal enemies of the chavs were the rockers, and so naturally what better way to distance yourself from the chav culture than to join the ranks of the other side. Slowly the rocker trend warped into the emo trend. This also included aspects of the chav culture, with a focus being on being cool, and rebellious.
3) As well as this there has been the society of the jocks which to some degree was the polar opposite of the emos. The focus was on being masculine (for the guys) and constantly looking good and being into Indy Rock and old school punk, now that rock had become the mainstream. However once again the hierarchy was based upon how "cool" you were.
Now I believe that the geek culture has come from people attempting to find a new way of being different. If everyone is cool, then surely the most fashionable and quirky thing to do now is to be deliberately uncool. The irony of course being that that would indeed make you cool. Confusing right...but I'm sure if you've followed me this far you can handle it. Before long everyone has started accepting geeks and in some ways embracing their inner geek a lot more just to stand out and find that sense of individuality.
In all honesty though, I am not sure how positive I find it. I was always a geek and will remain a geek. I had my arena and everyone who is not a geek has theirs. But hey, I guess that backs up my point. I like the fact that I was a geek first! It means is did not jump on the bandwagon. But then if everyone is on the wagon then...how do you tell who was here first, because of course everyone else will want to claim the wagon for themselves. But it was mine and my fellow pure geek's wagon. Oh well. I guess I can wait for it to pass by.
I am aware that not everyone has turned geek...and that also I have made very sweeping statements about stereotypes. And I would like to state now...everything I have said in this blog is not aimed at every individual in society. Some people may have become emo's or geeks etc for very different reasons. Just consider this me thinking out loud.
Wow, this was a long post. Some will agree with me some will not. I just felt it was an interesting observation I wanted to share with people. I could be completely out but hey, that opinions for you!
Until next time
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