the whole "geek chick" thing....

[Vault101]

So Ive notcied there's this trend, I havn't experienced it first hand

basically as i understand it its females geeks/gamers who take on the whole sterotype more as a ploy to gain attention rather than it be somthing thhey are interested in (aside from aparently geeky girls being incredibly rare)

so my question to you is, what are the main differences between a "poser" and the "real deal"? do they overlap at all?

anyway Id consider myslef the real deal (not blowing my own horn at all..) but seriously I just like this stuff, and I dont even know anyone in real life with my interests,

while its annoying to think people think I just like it for attention, I can understand how this kind of thing would be annoying (and somwhat patronizing) for male geeks

 

[Fanboy]

There are worse ways to seek attention. At least posing as a geek means she is seeking attention from geeks.

As for the main difference between "poser" and "real deal", I think you already covered that. The latter is interested in the subject and the former is interested in the attention.

 

[Macgyvercas]

There are worse ways to seek attention. At least posing as a geek means she is seeking attention from geeks.

This is true. And it also means girls are hanging out with us.

Seriously, though. I know plenty of geeky girls. Even have a few in my D&D group. Hold on...

[sub]Cleric, Barbarian, Sorcerer, Paladin, Rogue, Druid...[/sub]

The Rogue and the Druid are girls.

 

[Wicky_42]

If a girl knows what she's talking about, knows technical terms, doesn't get 'gig' and 'meg' confused, has a few favourite games, knows the difference between Radeon and GeForce etc etc and is genuinely interested, she can comfortably call herself a geek. At least, that's the qualifications I'd expect of anyone who considers themselves as such.

There's plenty of levels beyond that, for sure, but I'd say that a basic level of interest would mean you would hit those points and would therefore have the capacity to geek. With such a foundation you'd be able to at least follow more in-depth convos without struggling with the basic terminology!

Edit, that's just for techie geeks, I guess - but the 'basics' principle would apply to any geek-worthy subject, I'd expect.

 

[the_tramp]

Having a 1 minute conversation tends to sort the 'poser' from the 'real deal' as you throw in a seemingly *obvious* reference to a geek subject that, quite frankly, unless you are a geek you wouldn't get.

People do it kind of a way of attention but also it's just *another costume* is the sense that people go out on Where's Wally, Tribal and School themed nights.

 

[Legion]

If a girl knows what she's talking about, knows technical terms, doesn't get 'gig' and 'meg' confused, has a few favourite games, knows the difference between Radeon and GeForce etc etc and is genuinely interested, she can comfortably call herself a geek. At least, that's the qualifications I'd expect of anyone who considers themselves as such.

There's plenty of levels beyond that, for sure, but I'd say that a basic level of interest would mean you would hit those points and would therefore have the capacity to geek. With such a foundation you'd be able to at least follow more in-depth convos without struggling with the basic terminology!

Isn't that what most people would call a Nerd?

By your logic a girl who plays D+D, owns an xbox with a large catalogue of games, loves Star Wars and conventions about it, goes to Comic Con and other such events, adores Lord of the Rings and it's extended literature (even being able to name all of the major and minor locations in Middle Earth) is not a geek.

Obviously the above included guys, but either way, most people would think of the above as a geek, whereas you seem to base it all upon computers and the ability to understand them.

 

[Actual]

I'm not sure I've ever come across one of these posers you're talking about.

If she enjoys one or more geeky activities, I'm happy for her to call herself a geek.

I don't care if someone's knowledge of everything geeky is not encyclopaedic.

 

[Woodsey]

"I can understand how this kind of thing would be annoying (and somwhat patronizing) for male geeks"

Nerds take themselves far too seriously (again, I'm laughing at all of you who say you'll only go out with a girl if she is a gamer/fully accepts your regimented and never-to-be-broken gaming schedule).

Does it really matter? I'd hate to think I fit so much into a group that I have to have genuine discussions about how to deal with so-called "posers".

 

[Wicky_42]

If a girl knows what she's talking about, knows technical terms, doesn't get 'gig' and 'meg' confused, has a few favourite games, knows the difference between Radeon and GeForce etc etc and is genuinely interested, she can comfortably call herself a geek. At least, that's the qualifications I'd expect of anyone who considers themselves as such.

There's plenty of levels beyond that, for sure, but I'd say that a basic level of interest would mean you would hit those points and would therefore have the capacity to geek. With such a foundation you'd be able to at least follow more in-depth convos without struggling with the basic terminology!

Isn't that what most people would call a Nerd?

Interesting point, so I did a bit of research on http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-the-Difference-Between-Nerds-and-Geeks

A nerd could be viewed as someone with an extremely intense interest or fascination in an academic field of study (often an obscure field), or similar "cerebral" pursuit. Being a nerd is typically associated with intellect, as a nerd often enjoys specialising in complicated fields of study. Nerds may also have difficulties socialising with others, as many tend towards being introverted, although it is also said that a nerd cannot be bothered developing social skills while busy with other interests.

Today, the term has taken on a positive slant and a geek could be viewed as someone with an interest or lifestyle having to do with niche activities, especially fandom and technology. It is not uncommon for a geek to be capable of reciting large amounts of knowledge that is unintuitive, intriguing and (at times) long-winded. The knowledge could be anything from the mundane to 'living encyclopedia' status.

I'd say my point stands - basic knowledge of a subject how can you claim to be enthusiastic about it? Not talking knowing the in-depth specs of next year's Intel release, but at least knowing that there's two main brands of graphics card on the market!

Oh, and see my edit re the narrow slant of my definition - beat you to it

 

[Ritalynn]

If i had a penny for every girl who said "HAHA I'm a nerd i play Mario! And i've watched Star Wars before! TEEHEE"

I could have 10 gallons of tea from chicken express. (what.. i like their tea...)

I dunno if i'll ever date a nerdy girl again, it'd have to be someone just...amazing. The last girl I dated was pretty much just... an emotionless chin beard in female form. (plus she sucked at videogames but thought she was BA).

 

[The Big Boss]

I live in Ireland and i can safely say i have never met either 'posers' or 'real geek girls'....unfortunately.

 

[jesskit]

I have to say legion has it kinda for general fiction based geek, tho why is it alway star wars that makes someone a geek, what bout us who love trek, does that not qualify us hehe

loves Star Wars and conventions about it

But seriously there are many types of geeks, computer geeks, science geeks, scifi, fantasy, gamer geeks etc etc. It usually boils down to if someone knows their stuff about their interest areas they are usually a geek to me

 

[Ritalynn]

Also, threads usually like this go down the "Star Wars" path..... Star Trek > Star Wars.

 

[Trivun]

You know something, I clicked on this link thinking it said 'geek chic' - like the sort of style Coldplay made popular, that sort of thing. Which is why I clicked it, because I consider myself a proponent of geek chic, in terms of general style and demeanor (in fact, I'd say I was more 'indie geek'...). Ah well...

Anyway, on-topic, I reckon the terms for being a 'poser' or the real deal are the same for geek chicks as for anything. Music, films, any sort of interest, hobby or style. A poser is someone who uses it to gain attention, the real deal is someone who is actually interested in something genuinely. Fortunately all the girls I know who are interested in any part of geek culture (sadly not that many) are genuinely interested. For example, this one girl I know who claims to be interested in that most geekish of things, Assassin LARP, is also the former president of our society at university dedicated to that hobby. So she's certainly genuine about it. Any of my friends who aren't interested in all geek stuff generally tend to actually not bother with it either way, as opposed to use it to get attention... very few of them really need to resort to ploys for attention anyway .

EDIT: Captcha was 'implant, eartheat'. Sounds like a Red Hot Chillis song...

 

[Riku'sTwilight]

I barely know any geeky/gamer girls, and the ones I do know..well they know a lot of stuff.
I'd say 'posers' to be girls who either have bf's who play games and so try to 'get into it' in order to have a small common interest, or those that are just starting to get into geekdom and so don't know much.

I've always maintained that you can be a geek of anything. Like shopping? You can be a shopping/fashion geek. Like going on a night out? You can be a social geek. Like sports? You can be a sports geek.

It's just when you take a hobby or social activity too far and it becomes and almost embodies your life, then you can be a geek of it. Unfortunately sports, social, fashion geeks etc don't tend to see themselves as geeks of what they like and enjoy

 

[Aetera]

I think that any distinction made between being a gamer/geek and being a GIRL gamer/geek is ridiculous. I mean, I'm both female and a giant nerd, but I really don't see how one affects the other. They are two completely unrelated things.

Anyone that stresses the fact that they are both a girl and a geek might as well be bragging about being a brunette that is also good at swimming. It just seems like such a non sequitur to me.

 

[jesskit]

What you're talking about is just a hipster.

The type of person who doesn't like Mario but wares a Mario shirt because it's ironically cool or whatever.

Yes, I've met a lot of them and yea they're annoying.

I agree, i couldnt believe when i saw one the trendy shops here stock call of duty tshirts

 

[Sticky Squid]

I don't get the point of advertising that you are a geek no matter what gender you are to be honest.