Who's the Favorite Geek on the Photog Board? We have a Winner!

[Pea-n-Me]

Community Board thread

Come on, we know you're out there!

Oh, and don't forget - we need pictures!

Will post a poll once all the "applications" are in - thanks Mr. Y.

 

[mabas9395]

Are you looking for a photography geek, or someone with the most general geekyness?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Either, or both. Poster's choice - probably a combination of the two. Then we'll let the voters decide.

 

[Groucho]

IMHO a geek is and always will be a circus sideshow freak who bites the heads off chickens. (Just ask Freddie Blassie!) Hence, I bristle when the term is used anywhere near me, as it sometimes is since I work in the IT world. I simply cannot understand how the term has gained such a foothold and acceptance in today's world.

 

[Code]

IMHO a geek is and always will be a circus sideshow freak who bites the heads off chickens. (Just ask Freddie Blassie!) Hence, I bristle when the term is used anywhere near me, as it sometimes is since I work in the IT world. I simply cannot understand how the term has gained such a foothold and acceptance in today's world.

Actually it had a different meaning centuries before that, a geek was just a fool. But really, meanings change. I had never even heard of the circus freak definition until a few years ago, but I remember being called a geek in grade school, and that meaning had been around for quite a few years even before that.

Back then I was in denial, but it certainly had a more negative meaning. Now I embrace it

Just don't call me a nerd!

 

[ukcatfan]

IMHO a geek is and always will be a circus sideshow freak who bites the heads off chickens. (Just ask Freddie Blassie!) Hence, I bristle when the term is used anywhere near me, as it sometimes is since I work in the IT world. I simply cannot understand how the term has gained such a foothold and acceptance in today's world.

It has practically become a term of honor these days. It was not exactly the same say ten years ago.

Given that, I cannot claim that I myself am the biggest geek, either regular or photo related. If you are talking photo, I have to say that my vote goes to Mark, with the utmost respect. The integration of math and bokeh as a thread I feel guarantees his superiority in geekdom. This coming from an accountant that lives numbers You know we love you Mark!

 

[Code]

Given that, I cannot claim that I myself am the biggest geek, either regular or photo related. If you are talking photo, I have to say that my vote goes to Mark, with the utmost respect. The integration of math and bokeh as a thread I feel guarantees his superiority in geekdom. This coming from an accountant that lives numbers You know we love you Mark!

I second this nomination

 

[Groucho]

Actually it had a different meaning centuries before that, a geek was just a fool. But really, meanings change. I had never even heard of the circus freak definition until a few years ago, but I remember being called a geek in grade school, and that meaning had been around for quite a few years even before that.

Back then I was in denial, now I embrace it

See what changes with time... I'm about 9 years older that you and the term was never used when I was in school. "Nerd" was the closest equivalent. If talking in terms of being obsessed with things like movies, etc, I still much prefer "fan" or "nut" or something similar - I find "geek" to be extremely insulting, though I recognize that it's usually not meant to be. I just hope that it goes the way of "totally tubular", "rad", "dope", "keen", and other terms that have fallen out of use.

Heck, I'd even prefer "anorak", as used over in England, although I've never worn one.

 

[ukcatfan]

Actually it had a different meaning centuries before that, a geek was just a fool. But really, meanings change. I had never even heard of the circus freak definition until a few years ago, but I remember being called a geek in grade school, and that meaning had been around for quite a few years even before that.

Back then I was in denial, now I embrace it

I never had to worry about being called names when I was younger. I may have been into computers, 5'4" & 115 lbs, etc. but my best friends were the offensive AND defensive linebackers, so I was good

Speaking of which on a random note... I am completely pumped that the NFL pre-season TV coverage starts this weekend!!!!! Go Bucs and Bengals!!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Aww, Groucho - does this mean we won't get to see your picture of the massive amount of photography equipment you have? Darn, I was looking forward to it. That and Mark dressed in his photography vest at WDW. (Never meant to offend, btw.)

 

[handicap18]

Groucho I can see your point on the word, however, I never thing of the term "geek" in that regard. I think of it more as a cool nerd, but don't mean it in a negative term.

I think of it in terms of how a much a person gets into their hobby. Like a computer geek I would think of someone who doesn't work in the computer world, but always has the biggest most recent, knows all the terms, knows the ins and outs can answer every question, just like if it were their profession.

There are baseball geeks, football geeks, computer geeks, model train geeks, cooking geeks.

So if I want an answer to something or want to know about something a "geek" would be the best person to get the answer from. Many times if you go to the individual who has that topic as their profession you get to much of technical answer and they may not know how to translate that into laymans terms. A geek can get you that techie answer, but can also translate it so you can understand it and they'll also usually be much more willing to help.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm OK with the term geek. In nerd/geek circles, the term has lost its stigma. If that wasn't the case, the country's largest dedicated electronics vendor wouldn't call it's tech support team the "Geek Squad."

As for the old meaning about biting off chicken heads, that is so little used that you have to be a real geek to even know about it.

Am I the biggest geek on the board? Certainly not by size. By geekiness? Who am I to judge. I am probably the person that posts the most math.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think of it in terms of how a much a person gets into their hobby. Like a computer geek I would think of someone who doesn't work in the computer world, but always has the biggest most recent, knows all the terms, knows the ins and outs can answer every question, just like if it were their profession.

There are baseball geeks, football geeks, computer geeks, model train geeks, cooking geeks.

So if I want an answer to something or want to know about something a "geek" would be the best person to get the answer from. Many times if you go to the individual who has that topic as their profession you get to much of technical answer and they may not know how to translate that into laymans terms. A geek can get you that techie answer, but can also translate it so you can understand it and they'll also usually be much more willing to help.

This is how I think of it also. Excellent summation.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I snooped around the web a bit and thought these were fun, too.

What is a Geek

Harry Potter Hail to the Geek

You Know You're a Geek When

Photo Geek (Cool Video Illustration of the makeup of a dSLR)

BTW, by some definitions, those of us who simply hang out here are also geeks!

 

[Anewman]

I am not a geek, just cool challenged.

 

[brack]

I'm a Disney Photo Geek ..... and proud of it.

 

[YesDear]

So far I have seen a motion and a second for Mark. I agree with Mark that geek is a good term when it comes to knowledge. I believe he is probably the most go to poster on this board, so I would like to call the question and vote.

I say Mark!

 

[Jeanne B]

So far I have seen a motion and a second for Mark. I agree with Mark that geek is a good term when it comes to knowledge. I believe he is probably the most go to poster on this board, so I would like to call the question and vote.

I say Mark!

I'm waiting for the debate to start between Mark and Groucho as to who they think the biggest geek is along with detailed explanations behind their reasoning because they're sure to disagree on this subject!!

(Sorry guys, couldn't resist)

 

[Groucho]

I understand exactly what the term means in today's usage but I still find it a very offensive one. However, I am certainly aware that I am a tiny minority and have zero chance of winning my battle against the term "geek", but I will soldier on. I am nothing if not stubborn.

As for Best Buy's in-house support guys... it shouldn't be surprising that I can imagine no greater humiliation than having to put on some tacky "men in black"-style outfit and drive around in a silly VW Beetle emblazoned with "Geek Squad" on the side. I think I'd have to just end it all before I'd let myself do that.

 

[Groucho]

I'm waiting for the debate to start between Mark and Groucho as to who they think the biggest geek is along with detailed explanations behind their reasoning because they're sure to disagree on this subject!!

(Sorry guys, couldn't resist)

Mark and I do agree on some things, once in a while. There's no animosity here (at least not that I'm aware of.)

Of course, as you can guess from my messages, there is nobody here who I would call a geek. I really can't imagine being in a position to ever use that term to describe anyone.