Chic to be a Geek! Is Technology Just for Nerds?

About a month after my eight-year-old daughter received third place in her school’s science fair, I rented the movie October Sky. This heart-warming film tells the true story of four boys who are inspired by Sputnik to build a rocket of their own. About 15 minutes into the movie, the boys’ teacher recommends that they enter their rocket into the science fair. One of the boys emphatically states, “science fairs are for geeks!” My daughter, sitting next to me on the sofa, whipped her head around to look at me. “What?” she demanded in a look of disgust and utter surprise. Although the movie was set in the 1950s, the term obviously still triggered something in her today. I comforted her, though, and let her know that in today’s day and age, it is becoming more chic to be a geek.

Definition
Merriam-Webster defines a nerd as one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits . It further defines geek as an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity . The connectivity of these terms with technology is undeniable, but are nerds the only ones who use technology? One of the earliest, best-known nerds may be William H. Gates III. His knowledge and use of technology to found Microsoft is at the core of his nerdiness. But here is a nerd that has the respect of his corporate peers. Spiderman and Mr. Fantastic were both called nerds on-screen for their undertanding of intellectual concepts. It shows, however, how we have created beloved nerds.

As we evolve as a society, our acceptance of technology has created a shift in how we view the relationship of technology with nerds and geeks. Twenty-five years ago it was precisely these nerdy outcasts that delved deep into the world of computers. Today, you are just about an outcast if you don’t use a computer on a regular basis. In fact, the teenage group that has traditionally been the most ready to define and ostracize nerds and geeks is precisely the age group that has readily accepted new forms of technology. A more socially acceptable term has been created for the technology lovers: "early adopters". But is this just the term "geek" in disguise?

Technology is being embraced by a greater variety of people than ever. It is true that high school students sparingly use text messaging on that rare occasion ;-), but teachers, parents, and other professionals are joining the texting scene. Craft lovers risk ridicule from hard-core croppers but are more aggressively using digital images to enhance their scrapbooks. Sports fans use high definition televisions to watch the games and get cell phone updates for the latest scores. Grandpa is using the internet to order male enhancements while Grandma is instant messaging her girlfriends to schedule time out of the house. Motorcycle enthusiasts are using eBay to order their leather jackets, chrome tailpipes, helmets, and doilies for the upcoming shower (he told his wife that he would). Thugs are using the internet to book their tattoo appointments so they have proper pampering time. Hikers and outdoorsmen are using GPS devices when there are no females to ask for directions. Athletes are using their iPods to listen to soothing music when the coach is yelling at them. This list can go on and on. At a growing rate, we are using technology to enhance our everyday lives. But it just doesn't seem nerdy anymore.

Geeks and Nerds Today
So as we see technologies being embraced by the masses, it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify the hard-core geeks in our society. In order to help with this distinction, I have provided a list of tasks that have become commonplace, along with some twists that can make the task uniquely nerdy. Once you read the first few, I think you’ll get the idea.

Accepted: burning a CD with your favorite music from Nelly Furtado and Akon
Nerdy: burning a DVD with your favorite episodes of MacGyver and Knight Rider

Accepted: using eBay online auctions to sell that old exercise equipment
Nerdy: using eBay online auctions to purchase pristine action figures

Accepted: knowing what brand of PC you have and the monitor screen size
Nerdy: knowing your PC’s video card memory and processor clock speed

Accepted: staying up late to read about Harry Potter battling dragons
Nerdy: staying up all night playing dungeons and dragons

Accepted: knowing your e-mail address
Nerdy: knowing your IP address

Accepted: cheering for the underdog in the NFL Championship
Nerdy: cheering for the Undertaker in the WWF championship

Accepted: Reminiscing about connecting to the internet by dial up
Nerdy: Reminiscing about connecting to the internet at 1200 baud

Accepted: Using an instant messaging service to stay in touch with friends
Nerdy: Using a Star Trek chatroom to find friends (betcha "KirkFan117" is cute)

Accepted: Watching television on a High Definition TV
Nerdy: Laughing at your neighbor's 1080p HDTV with s-video cables (what a dork!)

Accepted: Downloading your favorite songs on iTunes for listening on your iPod
Nerdy: Downloading “White and Nerdy” because you understand all of the references

Accepted: Using movies on demand to watch Spider-Man and Pirates of the Caribbean
Nerdy: Using CinemaNow to download Tron and War Games to watch over and over again

Accepted: Subscribing to Sports Illustrated and briefly paging through the swimsuit edition
Nerdy: Ordering hot wings from Hooters - for carry out

One of the things that I hope this list illustrates is that technological pursuits are no longer owned by the geeks. There are unique attributes that geeks may maintain, but technology alone does not a nerd make. Technology is for all of us to use and help improve our lives. So download that music, e-mail from your phone, use your car's GPS, and update your site on MySpace. Do this without fear of labels or ridicule...well, at least until someone notices your pocket protector. Nerd!