I get lots of different reactions to my acceptance of my "geek" label. The most common one asks why I would embrace being called that.


Let's take a look at the social class system. Terms like "geek," "nerd" and "dork" can pop their ugly heads up as early on as preschool. But they really start to pick up strength and notice in middle/high school. Now, I don't know if you've figured this out about me yet, but, just in case you haven't- I'm different. With that said, let me tell you, I was different in high school too. At first, I accepted "geek" as a regular insult. I was weird, oh no! Different! Freaky, creepy, crazy, lame and whatever other personality traits fit into the negative geek stereotype.

But, over the years, I've realized something. I'm called a geek, but, I really don't see anything bad about that. I'm a geek because...
-I spend a lot of time on the computer... as opposed to playing football?
-I do a lot of reading about everything from government, to science fiction, to philosophy instead of looking at pictures of cars in magazines?
-I spend a lot of time thinking and wondering instead of concentrating on sports statistics and skateboarding and partying?

I'm a geek... meaning, i'm not normal. Well, let me go over what i've observed is considered to be "normal" in our society:
-Upon first meeting someone, asking them what type of car they drive (rather than maybe find out who they are?)
-Passing someone by in the halls going "hi how are you," when you don't really care how they are
-Spending time tanning, buying the most stylish clothes, and other pursuits of physical accessories...rather than developing what's on the inside

Hell, In a random day, just as an example, I might have a conversation about the human capacity to control one's own feelings, write something about how we could make the world a better place, and try to suggest that people be peaceful with eachother, rather than hate. A "normie," on the flip side, might play baseball, talk about who has a fast car, get a haircut and go tanning.



I don't know about you, but as far as I can tell, the only rational response on my part is to take "geek" as a compliment...