Comments on Hipster, please!: +1 blog of nerd music & culture: The Nerd vs. Geek Debate (and Why We Don't Need to...

It's almost like you didn't even read the ...

2010-09-15T11:13:30.370-04:00

It's almost like you didn't even read the post, cybrr! ;)

Geek: fervent hobbyist. (Adam) Nerd: formal neurot...

2010-09-15T10:57:20.366-04:00

Geek: fervent hobbyist. (Adam)
Nerd: formal neurotic. (Jamie)
Dork: spaced out weirdo. (Napoleon Dynamite)

Thanks, Hammy! I appreciate the support. :)

2010-01-25T14:25:08.734-05:00

Thanks, Hammy! I appreciate the support. :)

Just reading this now, and it remains very true. K...

2010-01-13T18:30:51.719-05:00

Just reading this now, and it remains very true. Keep on speaking truth, sir, whether to power or otherwise.

Yes, Mammola. I think you have to average 4+ hours...

2009-07-29T09:40:20.501-04:00

Yes, Mammola. I think you have to average 4+ hours to reach "hardcore" status. ;)

Oh man... reading blogs casually is really tough w...

2009-07-28T17:15:33.190-04:00

Oh man... reading blogs casually is really tough work.
Does 2 hours of reading blog while at work classify as casual?

I quite like "dorkus malorkus," John. Let's use it...

2009-05-15T22:24:00.000-04:00

I quite like "dorkus malorkus," John. Let's use it more!

So do I, Freya.

Thanks, Kelly!

You and Shael are far too kind, Ant. :)

I think, Matt, that me more we use the term "geek" divisively, the more we give those outside our sphere to adopt the term as simply another buzzword.

You make a good point about labels, Steffo. It's very nerdy to categorize things, I guess we just have to be wary of over-segregating to appease our own internal sense of order.

A lot of folks have cried "marketing foul" on that vid, Halfawake, and I think you've picked up on a valid reason why.

I read you loud and clear, Glenn, and I'm glad you found some inspiration in my words. :)

I honestly can't wait to hear that, Shael. I'm sure you'll bring some great musical insight to the table.

Thank you very much, K!

Thanks, Marc. I appreciate the support.

"Those who argue about whether or not they are a nerd or a geek are definitely both." Well put. Lawyered indeed, Soc! :D

You're thinking of G.I. Joe, funk. ;)

You're right, Nate; I also think that the fact that the nerd/geek/what-have-you has sacrificed outside acceptance for inner fulfillment is an overlooked point.

I feel the same, Snake. Has "geek" just become a convenient hiding place?

A new term may be in order, Trevor, and I thin Hodgman is the man for the job.

I'm not sure I follow you, Sabregeek.

Agreed, Church; Nate draws an interesting parallel. I too could see the term "geek" lose its luster as a result of such corruption.

"Geeks fighting nerds. It's like lightsabers vs. b...

2009-05-15T21:31:00.000-04:00

"Geeks fighting nerds. It's like lightsabers vs. bat'leths"

LMFAO

"Z's post got me wondering if "geek" in the 2010's will become what "alternative" was in the 90's. You know, something that once actually meant what it was, but then went on to be appropriated in the interest of selling something totally mainstream to people who preferred to think of themselves as not-totally mainstream..."

Stopped laughing, because that's probably exactly what's going on.

Most of the people in that video were nerds. wow u...

2009-05-15T20:45:00.000-04:00

Most of the people in that video were nerds. wow u have a blog and might be able to write some code. geeks ought to be able to do something usefull not worry about new media, nonconformity conformity,or unacceptance(n.b. may not be a word). why the f%#^ would anyone make a point of not being accepted because they happen to be smart.

What we need is for someone like Hodgman to coin a...

2009-05-15T20:27:00.000-04:00

What we need is for someone like Hodgman to coin a new term and definition that we can all agree on.

You know, upon re-reading the end of your sermon, ...

2009-05-15T13:17:00.000-04:00

You know, upon re-reading the end of your sermon, I realize that of course you've already answered that last question of mine, in much the way I would answer it if I could REALLY write.

It burns, sometimes - seeing that look at this fucking hipster blog reminded me of just how much appropriation of nerd culture is happening with the hipsters, and sometimes that pisses me off, and yeah, it's about some cool kid biting our style without the years of teasing we had to suffer through, I guess. But nerds are hardly the first group to go through the cultural appropriation treadmill, and it's not something you can really fight. Unless you have a trademark on pocket protectors I suppose.

Z's post got me wondering if "geek" in the 2010's ...

2009-05-15T13:13:00.000-04:00

Z's post got me wondering if "geek" in the 2010's will become what "alternative" was in the 90's. You know, something that once actually meant what it was, but then went on to be appropriated in the interest of selling something totally mainstream to people who preferred to think of themselves as not-totally mainstream...

Ugh. Yeah, that video raises more questions than i...

2009-05-15T12:58:00.000-04:00

Ugh. Yeah, that video raises more questions than it answers. I hesitate to generalize, but often those who distinguish themselves as geeks and not nerds are harbouring some lingering shame about their nerd-geekdom (nerk? neek?). They're not fully out of the closet.

Geeks fighting nerds. It's like lightsabers vs. bat'leths. I mean we're supposed to all band together, accept each other, and then make fun of the jocks, right?

The next question is what to do when nerddom becomes appropriated by non-nerds. It's tempting to perform some kind of nerd test like in Fanboys, but is that really the right approach?

Well said, my man. Labeling who is a geek and who...

2009-05-15T10:43:00.000-04:00

Well said, my man. Labeling who is a geek and who's not is a game with no winner, but I do strongly feel that an essential component of geekiness (conspicously absent from that video) is that ***a geek is someone one who has suffered -- or at least risked -- ostracization because of their passion.***

I mean, our namesakes are people who bit the heads off live chickens--as a career choice.

Oddly, this video seems to be addressing the fact that some people may be self-conscious about the fact that they're ON THE COMPUTER.

It seems to be a misplaced concern in a time when every single person you went to high school with (including your teachers!) is on Facebook.

It certainly seems GeekAdvancement's heart is in the right place, though, I'll give them that.

Z: Hero or Greatest American Hero?

2009-05-15T10:33:00.000-04:00

Z: Hero or Greatest American Hero?

Honestly, most people who are nerds are also geeks...

2009-05-15T10:32:00.000-04:00

Honestly, most people who are nerds are also geeks. They are not exclusive terms.

Plus, those who argue about whether or not they are a nerd or a geek are definitely both. Rather than go out and socialize, they decide to argue about this obscure piece of knowledge, making them a nerd. Yet, by passionately arguing about it, they have become an enthusiast about the subject and are thus a geek. Lawyered!

Also I warmly accept falling into both categories. I am probably also a Dork or a Dweeb, but since nobody is arguing about those words, I will not open said can of worms.

Couldn't agree more. Thank you for your wonderful ...

2009-05-15T02:17:00.000-04:00

Couldn't agree more. Thank you for your wonderful article, Z.

Well written. A+, good sir.. A +.

2009-05-15T00:58:00.000-04:00

Well written.

A+, good sir.. A +.

That was an insightful and moving piece. Thought ...

2009-05-15T00:51:00.000-04:00

That was an insightful and moving piece.

Thought you touched on it here, I'd love to see you expound further on the on the implications and repercussions of geek chic one of these days. It's a subject that's been occupying my mental real estate lately. It's worked its way into my songwriting for my new solo album.

To re-iterate, it touched a nerve alright. Listen...

2009-05-15T00:40:00.000-04:00

To re-iterate, it touched a nerve alright. Listening to my own nerdcore hip hop tracks for the first time in SOME time as a result of this post.

Check your e-mail, yo.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Something touched a nerve! Beautifully written, Z...

2009-05-14T22:54:00.000-04:00

Something touched a nerve!

Beautifully written, Z. Couldn't agree more.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

"Since Church didn't say it, I will. So Say We All...

2009-05-14T21:07:00.000-04:00

"Since Church didn't say it, I will. So Say We All!"

These days, I save that stuff for Lev :)

Really annoyed that Jason Calacanis identified him...

2009-05-14T16:07:00.000-04:00

Really annoyed that Jason Calacanis identified himself as "@Jason" in that video. I've heard him on Twit more than once trying to pimp his twitter and get more followers. Identifying by his twitter handle to an audience of people who most likely do not know who he is just makes the video reek even more of marketing, self-promotion, and trying to be in the "in" crowd.

You're a humble man, and I'm sure you wouldn't ask...

2009-05-14T14:20:00.000-04:00

You're a humble man, and I'm sure you wouldn't ask for such, but you deserve fame. Or at least good stuff.

I made the music I make because I'm sure like a lot of you, you were either watching TV, listening to the radio, or were at a concert, and half of you was saying "I want to do that", but the other half was saying "I want to do it my way though". And while it would be nice if people liked it, hell it would be an added bonus, you just didn't care either way. But now,

But now people use these geeky catagories like Nerdcore for hiphop, chiptunes, wizard rock, and while they are good to label to find something in a giant collection, some people are taking advantage of the segregation. I won't name names, but some people in these sub-genres believe that this isn't a class war, and while I wish to God it wasn't, people were so picked on growing up that they are taking all of the candy out of the nerd shaped pinata and not giving it to the kids.

Share and share alike, but if you really like something (or you really don't), the world doesn't have to know. Twitter doesn't have to know. You're mom DOES though, give HER a call, you never do anyway.

Since Church didn't say it, I will. So Say We All...

2009-05-14T14:14:00.000-04:00

Since Church didn't say it, I will. So Say We All!

I will nit pick one point though. Riffing on my own post, I think we need to remain conscious in these discussions of the difference between how "we" are using these terms and how other cultures are reinterpreting these terms. I agree with you as far as "we" are using the terms to exclude, but we have less control over how other cultures are going to end up using those same terms.

Now, how to do we separate out "us" from "them?" Oh that's a razor thin line that is best avoided. Especially, as you so rightfully say, we are all geeks/nerds to a certain extent. I just think its something that needs to be kept in mind.