Breaking the stereotype: computer geeks.
 

Hey guys! I was just wondering the other day if the old stereotype of the computer geek/nerd is still holding any truth today. I was wondering if there were other kids/adults like me. You see me and a group of friends at school are really into computers. We all love 3d stuff, hacking, video games, downloadin', etc. The only thing is none of us fits this geek/nerd stereotype created by society. We all look pretty normal (and I look exceptionally good looking ;) ), we go hang out at the movies, and we have girlfriends too.(well, most of us :( ),Plus, we are all major jocks! ;). I am in Varsity Tennis, Baseball, Football, etc. But the classic stereotype of the computer geek seems to be a person with no or few friends, wears glasses, really skinny or really fat, outcast to society, does nothing but stay on computer all day, etc.

I was just wondering if you guys thought that this stereotype was finally dying due to kids growing up around technology. I know that I can't think of one single kid in my high school who doesn't have a computer, and like 99% of them have AIM and use it daily.(So could we all be considered computer geeks?:confused: )

Please post your opinion on if you think that society still sees computer people as losers or as just another kid having fun. Also, are there any other athletes, musicians,or others that break the stereotype out there in these forums? I would love to see that there are, hopefully many of you.

This topic may seem somewhat pointless but it is kind of interesting to see if society's process of "judging a book by it's cover" is finally being changed by the technology that has completely engulfed it.:confused:

Well, there's the stuff that u just said, but it's also true that "Computer Geeks" are always lonely, 24/7 on a computer coming up with crazy stuff. They fit the category but i guess that we're just not that. (i noe i'm not really like that either. I go for many movies, girlfriends, parties etc.) But we also do some of the similar stuff. But somehow, people don't see us as "geeks" or "nerds". Or the guys here might be called computer buffs... a couple of months ago I had made a short anim and played it on the big sceen in my highschool theatre. Everyone liked it, and people kind of think ur cool and stuff. There's the thing of respect aswell... we might also be called geeks but in i different way. for some reason, everyone else (even those who have computers and stuff) still call the geeks, geeks. There's nothing u can do about it.

No matter what u do, people still "judge the book by its cover" and call computer geeks... geek, nerd etc. And i think its sad, they really should be given a second chance... they're the ones who technically run the COMPUTERS!!! If u just happen to fit the geek category, peoples respect drops for the person. But now, to date, people are accepting the fact that geeks and nerds are nothing but people too, who just like one thing which everyone else might not like (or do like). So maybe the distinguishing line between the nerds and the non-nerds or whatever, is getting erased, slowly, slowly....

whew, that was hard!:D

I think the stereotype is mostly based on appearances rather than actual behavior.

Would have to agree with mtmckinley there! Regardless of what you do. If your a Geek your a Geek. I can name you a whole bunch of Geeky jocks and they don't know anything about computers. Let alone play sports. They just get into it cuzz they think they can get all the highschool girlie.. But yet at the same time look like Fools doing it..LOL GOD the good old highschool life.. I miss it so! Myself I was more of a Pot Smoking LSD AC/DC headbanger GTO car drivin kinda guy in highschool. And I think I turned out alright.. I THink! :p Your mother will still love ya!

I think the bottom line is.. If your still in Highschool.. Finish school and don't worry to much about how people view you or others.

But I do see some of your points Zeeman as in Stereotypes
{Computer Geeks} I think the term is dead!.

I think the term is fading ... especially now days with ppl realizing that the computer / tech industry can be one of the highest paying jobs. Those so called "computer geeks" could rake in some serious dough. Perhaps there is somewhat an understanding in society today, that when someone spends alot of time on a computer, it will possibly pay off.

I am thirty now and have only got into modelling for the last 6-7months and the guys who work for me call me a computer nerd, even though i spent my teenage years rebelling and chasing chicks and being anything but a nerd. But now i am thirty i couldn't give a shit what people think.


so you cant escape being stereotyped it all just depends how you want to react to it.

Thats my 2cents! thx