Geeks vs Normals

GEEKS  VS  NORMALS(?)

I thought the word “geek” was no longer a derogatory word – partly due to Best Buy’s “Geek Squad.”  But, recently I heard some very unkind remarks.  This judgmental group ridiculed the people who attend conventions such as ComicCon, Star Trek, Star Wars and Harry Potter to name a few, and especially those attendees who dressed in a costume of their favorite character.  But, is it only geeks who dress in costumes?  Hmm?

 (The “normal beings/people?” will be referred to as “norms” for the remainder of this blog.) Some norms go to sporting events where you’ll find them screaming and yelling for their home team, some even have their faces painted and wear t-shirts or other clothing items to support their home team.  Isn’t that kind of like wearing a costume?  Norms are not participating, but they are immersed in the thrill and excitement of the game.

Isn’t that the same as a geek who plays computer games, reads or watch movies and becomes immersed in the thrill and excitement as well?  Quick note:  Geeks may want to live in the fantasy realm more than the mundane one they are trapped in, but they do know the difference – at least 99% of them do.

Yes, a lot of geeks dress differently and don’t play to what society deems fashionable – are you kidding me?  Some fashion designers present really bizarre clothing items – so what about the people who buy their weird looking apparel?  Oh, yeah, they’re called ‘fashionable.’ 

Avatar, Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and the Twilight series have all proven to be blockbusters, which means to me that there are a lot more geeks than norms.  I am sure some norms ‘sneak’ into our fantasy worlds and enjoy it as much as we do, but are too “cool” to admit it.  Another thing I have noticed about geeks is that they also enjoy other genres of entertainment – they are very open-minded in their choices. 

What about norms who read romance novels, erotica, mysteries and other books of fiction.  They, too, lose themselves in the author’s words and drift away into a world that does not exist.  Please!  Do they really believe that real men and women look and act like the characters in these books?  Yet, they don’t consider themselves geeks.  Really?

Thank goodness for the biggest geeks of all:  Those men and women who gave us space travel, advanced medical knowledge, movies, television, computers, iPods and other brilliant ways that society indulges itself.

Why do some norms have a need to place labels on those who are different?  There are myriad reasons why they do and not being a psychologist I wouldn’t even attempt to try and explain their psyche.

Yes, I am guilty of being a full-blown geek.  I not only read it, but I write science fantasy novels and immerse myself in worlds of magic, mayhem, mirth and fantasy, and occasionally I dabble in the romance side of writing – which I consider another form of fantasy.

I am proud to be a geek.  And, I think we geeks have to pull together and let others know that being a geek is a wonderful thing to be and banish any bad connotation connected to the word geek.

We geeks love and adore you norms – well most of you – and we forgive you for not being adventurous with your imaginations and letting them run wild.  We welcome you with open arms into our realms of fiction and fantasy where your imagination can run free - even if you can’t.

Sally A. Laughlin

Salaughlin.com  

mysticmoonwarriors.com