Geeks? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 06-23-2004, 06:28 AM

Attentive readers will have noticed that the author of the above article speaks only of male geeks. We are left to conjecture on the existence of females of the species. However, if there were no females, how would geeks (some sources also refer to nerds, but I am not sure whether those are a different species or just another name for the same) multiply? Does Saurgates breed or spawn them unnaturally? To even imagine the act of geek procreation is gross, but can even one so mighty as he bring his creatures to life, or does he merely twist those already created to serve him?

If there are females, what do you suppose they’re like? Are they smaller than the males and kept at home to rear the young, as they are not useful for the warfare against their foes? Or, like dwarf females, are they so similar to the males that those of other races cannot differentiate between them?

So many questions, so few answers! I have great hopes that the new volume XIV of HoME, The Peoples of Modern Middle-earth, will shed some light on this topic. Christopher Tolkien has held this information back long enough – eager fans want to know!

tar-ancalime · 06-23-2004, 09:41 AM

The Matthew Sakey article seems to be directed at non-geeks who may want to date or live with geeks. This implies that geeks can and do procreate with non-geeks, thus creating a whole population of half-geeks. Could it be that these half-geeks may then choose freely which half of their heritage to embrace?

But to answer Estelyn's question directly, there are certainly female geeks. It is unfortunate that here as in so many other instances, their contributions to geekdom throughout history have been overshadowed or simply ignored in favor of the male of the species. It is high time their voices were heard.

As far back as the Middle Ages, female geeks such as Beatrix the Codex-laden were at the forefront of advancement of geek culture. Beatrix herself is well known to have created the first fantasy-related action figure, a small wooden model of a dragon with working arms and legs, which she carved and painted herself.

Female geeks of today, it is time to speak out. We have been hidden too long.

Hama Of The Riddermark · 06-23-2004, 10:29 AM

To really understand what 'GEEK' means you have to have watched an extract from a while back on the Conan O'Brian show...It was a few days after Attack of the Clones came out...

That short ten minutes of film had me laughing for about a week...

Sirithheruwen · 06-23-2004, 12:22 PM

I am not a geek.
Nor am I a nerd.
Nor am I a jock.
Nor am I a goth.

I am an original...me and me alone. I detest stereotypes as no one person is exactly the same as any other person. Unless they try to act like another person so they can be accepted. Those people are stupid twits. No offence.

Saraphim · 06-23-2004, 01:19 PM

One day, everyone will stop using small words to describe a large amount of people. Everyone will be accepted for thier differences, and happiness will ensue.

But until that day, I remain, an Uber-Geek!

Fordim Hedgethistle · 06-23-2004, 03:11 PM

In the spirit of Prof Tolkien, I have gone to the Oxford English Dictionary to find out what, precisely, a "geek" is (I would humbly suggest that we all strive for definition number 3 (and do our best to avoid number 2)):

I. Simple uses.

1. slang (chiefly U.S.). a. orig. Eng. regional (north.). A person, a fellow, esp. one who is regarded as foolish, offensive, worthless, etc.

b. Freq. depreciative. An overly diligent, unsociable student; any unsociable person obsessively devoted to a particular pursuit (usually specified in a preceding attrib. noun). Cf. NERD n.

c. spec. A person who is extremely devoted to and knowledgeable about computers or related technology. In this sense, esp. when as a self-designation, not necessarily depreciative.

2. U.S. slang. A performer at a carnival or circus whose show consists of bizarre or grotesque acts, such as biting the head off a live animal.

II. Compounds.

3. geek chic, a glamorization of the culture and appearance of geeks; the style associated with geeks.

Mad Baggins · 06-24-2004, 06:21 PM

I like being a geek. It enables me to make the other students in my class feel inferior.

06-23-2004, 06:28 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Are there she geeks? Attentive readers will have noticed that the author of the above article speaks only of male geeks. We are left to conjecture on the existence of females of the species. However, if there were no females, how would geeks (some sources also refer to nerds, but I am not sure whether those are a different species or just another name for the same) multiply? Does Saurgates breed or spawn them unnaturally? To even imagine the act of geek procreation is gross, but can even one so mighty as he bring his creatures to life, or does he merely twist those already created to serve him? If there are females, what do you suppose they’re like? Are they smaller than the males and kept at home to rear the young, as they are not useful for the warfare against their foes? Or, like dwarf females, are they so similar to the males that those of other races cannot differentiate between them? So many questions, so few answers! I have great hopes that the new volume XIV of HoME, The Peoples of Modern Middle-earth, will shed some light on this topic. Christopher Tolkien has held this information back long enough – eager fans want to know! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

06-23-2004, 09:41 AM	#2
tar-ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: abaft the beam Posts: 303	the Choice of the half-geeks The Matthew Sakey article seems to be directed at non-geeks who may want to date or live with geeks. This implies that geeks can and do procreate with non-geeks, thus creating a whole population of half-geeks. Could it be that these half-geeks may then choose freely which half of their heritage to embrace? But to answer Estelyn's question directly, there are certainly female geeks. It is unfortunate that here as in so many other instances, their contributions to geekdom throughout history have been overshadowed or simply ignored in favor of the male of the species. It is high time their voices were heard. As far back as the Middle Ages, female geeks such as Beatrix the Codex-laden were at the forefront of advancement of geek culture. Beatrix herself is well known to have created the first fantasy-related action figure, a small wooden model of a dragon with working arms and legs, which she carved and painted herself. Female geeks of today, it is time to speak out. We have been hidden too long. __________________ Having fun wolfing it to the bitter end, I see, gaur-ancalime (lmp, ww13)

06-23-2004, 12:22 PM	#4
Sirithheruwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wind's Road Posts: 467	I am not a geek. Nor am I a nerd. Nor am I a jock. Nor am I a goth. I am an original...me and me alone. I detest stereotypes as no one person is exactly the same as any other person. Unless they try to act like another person so they can be accepted. Those people are stupid twits. No offence. __________________ "My name is Mallard, but you can call me Duck." ~Random Saying, compliments of Sirith and her best friend, concerning a book.

06-23-2004, 01:19 PM	#5
Saraphim Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The other side of freezing. Posts: 404	Proud Nerd One day, everyone will stop using small words to describe a large amount of people. Everyone will be accepted for thier differences, and happiness will ensue. But until that day, I remain, an Uber-Geek! __________________ I drink Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters! ~ Always remember: pillage BEFORE you burn.

06-24-2004, 06:21 PM	#7
Mad Baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: A place where after thunder golden showers come falling like a rain of flowers. Posts: 371	Geek, eh? I like being a geek. It enables me to make the other students in my class feel inferior. __________________ I like buying snacks from a vending machine because food is better when it falls. Sometimes at the grocery, I'll drop a candy bar so that it will achieve its maximum flavor potential. Last edited by Mad Baggins; 06-24-2004 at 06:23 PM. Reason: I'm gifted.

06-23-2004, 10:29 AM	#3
Hama Of The Riddermark Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 282	To really understand what 'GEEK' means you have to have watched an extract from a while back on the Conan O'Brian show...It was a few days after Attack of the Clones came out... That short ten minutes of film had me laughing for about a week...

06-23-2004, 03:11 PM	#6
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	In the spirit of Prof Tolkien, I have gone to the Oxford English Dictionary to find out what, precisely, a "geek" is (I would humbly suggest that we all strive for definition number 3 (and do our best to avoid number 2)): I. Simple uses. 1. slang (chiefly U.S.). a. orig. Eng. regional (north.). A person, a fellow, esp. one who is regarded as foolish, offensive, worthless, etc. b. Freq. depreciative. An overly diligent, unsociable student; any unsociable person obsessively devoted to a particular pursuit (usually specified in a preceding attrib. noun). Cf. NERD n. c. spec. A person who is extremely devoted to and knowledgeable about computers or related technology. In this sense, esp. when as a self-designation, not necessarily depreciative. 2. U.S. slang. A performer at a carnival or circus whose show consists of bizarre or grotesque acts, such as biting the head off a live animal. II. Compounds. 3. geek chic, a glamorization of the culture and appearance of geeks; the style associated with geeks.