Geeks, Freaks, And Nerds

Geek = knowledge + Passion { } 2 Joyce M Lanterman GA State University joyeuse13.livejournal.com

Who are they?
Geek :
A person regarded as foolish, inept, or clumsy.
A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept.
A carnival performer whose show consists of bizarre acts, such as biting the head off a live chicken.
Perhaps an alteration of geck , from Low German gek , meaning “fool.”
American Heritage Dictionary (4th Ed, 2006) Image: www.rubberchickenfling.com Joyce M Lanterman

Where do they come from?
Location, Location, Location
Overwhelming majority (92%) of respondents were from North America
Only 85 (8%) were from outside NA
2 in South America
4 in Africa
5 in Asia
14 in Australia or New Zealand
60 in Europe
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Image: http://michellebeckhamcorbin.blogspot.com/2009/05/notice-to-alien-nations-leave-me-alone.html Joyce M Lanterman

Where do they come from?
Ethnicity
Most responses (85%) were “White/ Caucasian”
160 other options (15%) were checked :
47 Asians
43 Native Americans
30 Latinos
13 Africans
11 Middle Easterners
2 Pacific Islanders
1 Pakeha (indigenous New Zealander)
1 Romani (Gypsy)
5 said they were “mixed”
7 wise guys said they were human
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Image: http://michellebeckhamcorbin.blogspot.com/2009/05/notice-to-alien-nations-leave-me-alone.html Joyce M Lanterman

What Do They Want? Top 10 activities indicated on survey Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Joyce M Lanterman

Language
965 (95%) respondents spoke English as an L1
45 (5%) respondents spoke other L1s:
9 German
6 Spanish
3 each French, Russian, Finnish
2 each Portuguese, Urdu, Turkish, Swedish, Cantonese, Dutch
1 each Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Punjabi, Croatian, Danish, Filipino
Respondents claimed expertise in 16 L2s:
Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Latin, Old English, Middle English, Renaissance English, HTML, Esperanto, and Klingon
All respondents with L1s other than English claimed expertise in English as an L2 (survey offered in English only).
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Joyce M Lanterman

Released stops: possible index of education, literacy & precision
Ashburn (2000) – Science Fiction Fans (panel comments)
Benor (2001) – Orthodox Jewish Men
Bucholtz (1996) – Girl Nerds
Podesva et al. (2002) – Gay Activist Lawyer
We “talk like books,” in complex clauses
Often mispronounce words that we’ve only seen in print
Fanspeak, Geekspeak--Specialized jargon from books, movies, gaming, internet, computers, etc.
Language Joyce M Lanterman

Phonology and lexis not based on any natural language
Verb tenses indicated by time words (like Esperanto, ASL)
No case or gender, OVS word order
No adjectives – description expressed by verbs or noun suffixes
Klingon Language Institute in Flourtown, PA translates other works into Klingon, organizes meetings and summer camps
Nevertheless, not widely spoken
Klingon Developed in 1983 by Dr. Marc Okrand of Berkeley University Linguistics Dept. for “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” Source: Judith Hermans – Klingon and its Users, Tilburg University 1999 Images: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/4854/whylang.htm, www.dragoncontv.com Joyce M Lanterman

Elvish
Actually a family of languages created by J.R.R. Tolkien, author and Oxford philologist
Most common is Sindarin:
Phonology similar to Welsh
Mainly analytic grammar
“ Derived” from an “older” Elvish
language, Qenya
Alphabet is called Tengwar
Source: Wikipedia Images: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tengwar_sample.svg, http://www.freewebs.com/random_isawien/elves.htm Joyce M Lanterman

A Geek By Any Other Name Source: LiveJournal learn_languages community Joyce M Lanterman n ørd Swedish friki Spanish mokh (brain), katib, adeeb (writer) North Africa Langweiler (boring person), Sonderling (“special” person), Streber (one who strives, climber), Aussenseiter (outsider) freak, nerd German taupe (mole) jiik French anorak, trainspotter nerd, geek UK English otaku (used to be insulting, now “cute”) Japanese arvutifriik (computer freak), nohik (teacher’s pet) Estonian gik Costa Rican Spanish teto (dummy) ñoño (buffoon) Mexican Spanish zadrot, botan Russian Pejorative Polite

Cons – Some Geeks are Fen
What is a con?
“ Gathering of the community of fans (called science fiction fandom) of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy.” (Wikipedia)
Do all geeks go to cons?
382 (38%) only go to one con a year
274 (27%) respondents said they have never been to a con
Of those, 118 (43%) have no interest in going to cons

What Happens at a Con?
Readings
Art Show
Gaming
Film Room
Filking
Concerts
Charity Events
Dealers’ Room
Guests
Panels
Con Suite
Hall Costumes
Masquerade
Dances
Room Parties
Image: http://www.myspace.com/veritasnoctis Joyce M Lanterman

Costumes/Cosplay
Of the 737 respondents who go to cons:
370 (50%) said they make costumes
487 (66%) wear costumes (though they may not actually make them)

Filk Music - "Folk Songs for Folk Who Ain't Even Been Yet"
Origin – typo of “folk?”
Style – originally folk music, later branched into other styles
Instrumentation – Mainly acoustic instruments, lots of strings so you can sing and play
Image: http://www.oldswinford.dudley.gov.uk/Music.htm (4:10) Joyce M Lanterman

Stereotypes
Intellect
Computers
Math/Science
No fashion sense
Unathletic, fat
All male
Immature
Socially inept
(2:51) Images: www.highsnobiety.com, http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Pocket-Protector/ Joyce M Lanterman

Images in Popular Culture Beauty and the Geek Joyce M Lanterman

Images in Popular Culture Big Bang Theory Joyce M Lanterman

Images in Popular Culture Revenge of the Nerds IEEE Simpsons Joyce M Lanterman

Sci-Fi is changing its name to Syfy. Why?
“ The name Sci-Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements with video games…as opposed to the general public and the female audience in particular.”
BET changing its name. Why? “ The name BET has been associated with blacks and drug-dealing criminals in inner city ghettos…as opposed to the general public and the educated professional audience in particular.” What if another specialty TV station made a similar decision? Disclaimer: no one ever actually said this! It’s a hypothetical situation. Quote source: Tim Brooks, quoted at tvweek.com: http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_fi_channel_aims_to_shed_ge.php Images: http://www.scifi.com/, http://www.bet.com/ Joyce M Lanterman

1) Intellect/Education
1002 respondents indicated level of education
47 of those (.05%) had a high school diploma or GED. Of those , 38% (18) were under age 19, i.e., still in high school
251 (25%) had “some college”
483 (48%) had an undergraduate degree
198 (20%) had a higher degree (MS, PhD, medical/law school)
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Images: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/consuminginterests/blog/loans/, www.greenfieldslandscaping.net Joyce M Lanterman

2) & 3) Math, Science, Computers
Employment:
71 (7%) work in science or engineering
162 (16%) work in a computer related field: hardware, software (most common response), web design, etc.
Most common responses after software were full-time student (14%) and education (8%)
Interests:
551 (53%) checked computer hardware or software design
819 (80%) checked real world tech and space travel
229 (29%) checked web design
214 (21%) checked robotics
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Images: school.discoveryeducation.com, http://blog.lib.umn.edu/isler010/asianamericanstudies/2009/04/, http://www.clipartguide.com Joyce M Lanterman

4) No Fashion Sense
T-shirts with intellectual sayings, sarcastic phrases, or in-jokes
Joyce M Lanterman

4) No Fashion Sense
Shiny things: beads, glitter, rhinestones
Joyce M Lanterman

4) No Fashion Sense
Long hair (men and women)
Body art: henna, tattoos, piercings
French braid: http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com Joyce M Lanterman

4) No Fashion Sense
Historically influenced clothing, esp Victorian or Renaissance: long skirts, poets’ blouses, corsets
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/02/12/star-trek-inspired-c.html

4) No Fashion Sense
Other cultures: Kilts (Utilikilts), harem pants, kimonos, Celtic motifs, cholis
Joyce M Lanterman

4) No Fashion Sense
“ Goth” style – cross between Victorian and punk: black, fishnets, rivets, studs, lace, velvet, leather, vinyl, big boots, high heels, piercings, “extreme” makeup
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/09/30/2378294.htm Joyce M Lanterman

Do geeks lack fashion sense? Image: holyclothing.com Joyce M Lanterman

5) Athletic? Or Fat and Sedentary?
Dancing got 300 checks (29%) – belly dancing, folk dancing, historical dance, swing, etc.
Martial arts got 272 (26%) checks – sword play, tai chi, aikido, etc.
(1:55 – 3:47) Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Images: seandiggory.suddenlaunch.com, filmgordon.files.wordpress.com, www.nipissingu.ca Joyce M Lanterman

Body Image
Geek culture is more accepting of larger body types
Rejection of media standards - more realistic (though our media is just as unrealistic as mainstream—esp comic book heroines)
Sedentary hobbies: computer work, reading—but no more sedentary than TV!
Renaissance fashions, belly dancewear can accommodate larger figures–but body consciousness is not required
Monster Tango: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqd6wEM5_ug (:20 – 1:11) Images:myextralife.com/56geeks/ Joyce M Lanterman

Are Geeks Fat and Unathletic? Images:myextralife.com/56geeks/, filmgordon.files.wordpress.com, http://www.clipartguide.com Joyce M Lanterman

6) Geeks are All Teenaged Boys
Gender – 997 respondents gave a gender
35% (352) Male
63% (645) Female
1% (14) Other: transgender, androgynous, genderqueer
Age
Range: 11-71
Average Age: 32
Mode (age occurring most frequently): 25
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Images:myextralife.com/56geeks/ Joyce M Lanterman

7) Geeks are Immature
Mainstream society decrees that certain kinds of fun are just for children – and sometimes for senior citizens
Make-believe (SF/F lit and film got 1673 checks)
Comics/Animation (Anime/Manga, and Comics got 1082 checks)
Dress-up (Creating and wearing costumes got 857 checks)
Toys/Games (Various kinds of games got 1667 checks)
Creativity for its own sake (not to earn money)
Learning things for fun (not just “useful” things)
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Images:myextralife.com/56geeks/, http://crazyabouttv.com/renandstimpy.html Joyce M Lanterman

So what does “maturity” really mean?
Gainful employment?
802 (79%) respondents reported being currently employed
222 (21%) were unemployed
10 disabled
8 retired
143 full-time students
Leaving 61 (6%) actually unemployed
As of March 2009, US unemployment rate was 8.5%

So what does “maturity” really mean?
377 (37%) respondents reported being married or in some kind of domestic partnership; 9 more report being engaged
Of those, 151 (39%) have children
Percentage of married people in the US in 2004: 46.5% (US Census Bureau)
“ Settling down” and having a family? Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Joyce M Lanterman

Are Geeks Immature? Images:http://crazyabouttv.com/renandstimpy.html, http://www.clipartguide.com Joyce M Lanterman

8) Geeks are Antisocial/Socially Inept
It goes all the way back to grade school
Didn’t “fit in” - “I always knew I was different.”
Interests outside the norm for age peers
“ Too” smart, bookish
Often leads to bullying
Psychological abuse, ostracism
Drives us away from wanting to socialize
Leaves us with automatic assumption that we won’t be liked, so why bother?
Often, it takes conscious observation and effort to learn about social interaction
Given the impression that “normal” people “just know”
In effect, we are excluded from the common culture
Image: http://www.werkkrew.com/2008/07/07/anti-social-society/ Joyce M Lanterman

Steve Silberman, Wired Magazine, Dec 2001: "The Geek Syndrome"
Claims that geeks interbreeding in Silicon Valley are reinforcing whatever genetic traits cause autism
Apparently considers “geek” and “autistic” to be synonymous--says these “fascinations” all correlate with autism:
Computer games
Star Trek
Fantasy novels
Geeks and Autism Image: www.ocps.net Joyce M Lanterman

A very popular idea, it’s all over the internet—but with very little science to back it up!
Jan 2005: Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen (Cambridge University Autism Research Center) surveyed 378 math undergrads (vs control group of 414 other majors) for diagnosed autistic spectrum conditions in themselves and their families. Result: 9 times as much incidence of autism in math group (1.85% vs .24%).
Still does not address:
Why Star Trek and fantasy novels?
What about non-math-oriented geeks?
Were the non-autistic math majors still showing autistic tendencies in terms of social skills?

Many geeks do display features common to the autistic spectrum:
Difficulty perceiving body language/facial expressions
Difficulty decoding social cues
Computer aptitude – hyper-focus
Being “different” leads to bullying
BUT…most are not autistic

Geeks and Autism: Chicken/Egg? Do geeks have autistic tendencies, or do high-functioning autistics gravitate toward geekdom? Image: www.ocps.net Joyce M Lanterman

Geek Social Networking
Nobody networks like geeks!
Only 25 (2%) of respondents said they don’t use any online social networking sites
Even they use email
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Images: Facebook, Twitter, LiveJournal, OKCupid, Blogspot, MySpace, Plurk Button: http://buttons.cafepress.com/item/antisocial-tshirts-and-gift-35-button/217194449 Joyce M Lanterman

Geek Social Networking
Posted to:
My Live Journal
5 LJ fan communities
My Facebook account
Other people’s LJs
Other LJ comms
Other people’s Facebook accounts
WoW guild forums
Plurk
PAX gaming con message board
Dragon*Con TV website and Podcast
Twitter
Personal websites
Sent via email
Re -posted to: Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Images: Facebook, Twitter, LiveJournal, OKCupid, Blogspot, MySpace, Plurk Joyce M Lanterman

Pirates & Ninjas
Introversion/extroversion is a scale, not absolute
Extroverts “recharge” by being around people
Introverts “recharge” by being alone
Mainstream considers extroversion the norm; introversion is an anti-social aberration
Quiet, shy people must be “drawn out of their shell”
Considered a social duty: poor thing, you’re so shy, let me help you
Images: http://smhill.net/home/show/10, http://eu.staying-alive.org/stayingalive/assets/do_something/digital_art/ninja_face.jpg Joyce M Lanterman

Pirates & Ninjas
Not all geeks are introverted, but geek culture allows for introversion.
It’s ok to:
Bring a book or a laptop to a party, sit in the corner and read or web surf
Party hop: only spend a short time in the party room, then leave to recharge
Lie down in a back room and nap
Refuse an invitation by saying, “I just don’t feel social right now” or “I’m feeling over-socialized.”
Images: http://smhill.net/home/show/10, http://eu.staying-alive.org/stayingalive/assets/do_something/digital_art/ninja_face.jpg Joyce M Lanterman

Are geeks antisocial? Image: http://www.werkkrew.com/2008/07/07/anti-social-society/, www.ocps.net Joyce M Lanterman

Our Stereotypes
What do we call non-geeks?
Most common terms are “mainstream” and “mundane;” also “muggles” and “normals”
Write-in responses: boring, lemmings, sheep, herd, average, conformist, vanilla, the masses; a trend is evident here
Many feel using a special term is offensive – but use one anyway!
“ Superiority” form of defense
Survey data not approved by GA State University IRB Images: http://buttons.cafepress.com/item/strange-vs-dull-mini-button/54122602, standrewsdartmouth.ca Joyce M Lanterman

Geeks as an Oppressed Minority
Bennett’s characteristics of oppressed cultures:
Oppressed cultures are devalued
Must conform or segregate
“ Inundated with reminders that [we] are different.”
Superiority form of defense
Pressured to adapt to mainstream
Pluralistic - we can maintain our own culture, and also operate in dominant culture
Ok to bash geeks in media – not considered hate speech
Milton J. Bennet - Towards Ethnorelativism: a Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity Image: politicalpartypooper.wordpress.com Joyce M Lanterman

Generalizations I Can Make
Primary Characteristics
Individualistic culture: personal expression trumps all
Reluctance to follow rules or be pigeon-holed into categories: herding cats
Passionately enthusiastic—obsessed?
Love learning, love to read, want to share knowledge
Don’t “fit in” to the mainstream, often from an early age; sense of being outsiders
We are all individuals I’m not! Image: www.breish.net/pictures/ Joyce M Lanterman

Generalizations I Can Make
Secondary Characteristics (Geekus Genericus)
Interest in speculative fiction – sci-fi, fantasy, horror, alternate history
Affinity for science, technology, and/or computers
Experience of being bullied in school
Joyce M Lanterman

Implications
Kids
Be aware of social issues they may face
Be open to their interests—don’t expect them to “grow out” of them
If possible, clue them in to larger geek culture—they are not alone!
Adults
Don’t micromanage; allow for independent work
Allow for multi-tasking – a websurfing geek is a happy geek
In group work, geeks may not be aware of standard social roles—good idea to assign a role
Social groups form around common interests; “drinks with the gang” may not appeal
Image: http://images7.cafepress.com/product/6000857v1_350x350_Front.jpg Joyce M Lanterman

The Geek Shall Inherit… Image: www.noquarterusa.net Joyce M Lanterman

Geeks, Freaks, And Nerds

by joyeuse13 on Jun 09, 2009

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