--- "Ph. D." <phild@...> wrote:

>
> Nicholas Bodley wrote:
> >
> > Re definitions and pronunciations of geek
> > language, as well as a very witty introduction to
> > their subculture (superculture?), . . .
> >
> > Part of the geek culture is to never spell out
> > "Unix"; always substitute at least one [*].
>
> Personally I find the use of "geek" to describe
> someone who is knowledgeable about how system
> software works as a bit of a slur, somewhat
> analogous to calling gay persons "fags" or

"queers."

> I for one will not help someone with his computer
> problems if I have ever heard him refer to computer
> people as "geeks."

Speaking as a computer geek I can tell you that the
term "geek", as with "nerd" has been quite reclaimed.
Almost exactly like the term "queer" has been
reclaimed
by the gay community. During the '90s e-bubble a lot
of computer people began using these terms to describe
themselves, this befits the ironic sense of humour
typical amongst the tech-savvy community. Many
began to make serious money and gain respect or envy
of those that formerly used the terms as slurs.
It seems that the closest current term that has the
negative connotations but not not the tech-savvy
connotations is "loser".

Of course there is still a minority in the community
who dislike being called a geek or nerd. Those of us
who have reclaimed the former slurs find them a bit
square, touchy, or humourless.

Call me a geek anytime.
Andrew Dunbar.

> --Ph. D.
>
>
>
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