the whole "geek chick" thing....

[Moonlight Butterfly]

You know I often wish I was a guy so I could be more accepted in or for the things I like, is that wierd?

 

[Dastardly]

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)

It's about acceptance.

Some groups are internally very competitive. The "cheerleaders" and the "beauty queens" and the "jocks" and so on--their activities lead them to be fiercely competitive with each other, and that means being accepted into those groups is far from guaranteed.

But "geeks" are a group that seems almost defined by being socially outcast, at least in one way or another. This means, to the casual observer, that they're just looking for excuses to include someone--especially *gasp* girls. And, for the most part, it's true.

Because it's about acceptance on both sides. On the side of the wannabe-geek girl, she is guaranteed acceptance to the group because they're always recruiting and she's a minority within the group. Instant, guaranteed attention. To the geeks, having "members" like her validates the group and paints the group's strengths in a more positive light (ie, the "Chicks dig it" factor).

So, like most social back-and-forth, it's a bit disingenuous, but it's mutually beneficial, so we shrug if off and go about our business. I mean, after all, most of the superficial dating world runs on the same, tired transaction: Guys use attention (often through money) to get sex, girls use sexiness (often through sex itself) to get attention. It's absolutely an extreme generalization, but I'd defy you not to find countless examples in the people around you (geek or not).

Until people are honest with and about themselves, they'll use these labels as a crutch. And that means most of their interactions in that area will be at least a little dishonest.

 

[funguy2121]

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

People do EVERYTHING for attention. I don't really think there's any overlap. Some people know what they like and others want to attract the attention of certain groups.

 

[gazumped]

I was going to say that the posers are the ones who are all OMG I'M SUCH A GEEK I DO GEEKY THINGS AND NOW I'M GOING TO BE LOUD ABOUT IT

But then I realised...

REAL GEEKS DO THAT TOO. Girl geeks AND guy geeks. And just because they can then back up what they've said by recounting the entire series of >insert title of obscure manga hereinsert title of hardcore FPS here< DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY LESS ANNOYING.

Also, I suggest that if a girl wants to be geeky to get a guy, it's no different to anyone trying to get into a hobby in order to connect better with a potential mate. Be pleased they're looking for the attention of geeky guys!

 

[Mandalore_15]

Agree with OP. Case in point: Jessica Chobot.

hmmmm not sure if Ive herd of her, so where is she from? like I assume on the internet

She's supposed to be the girl that does the "Daily fix" on ign.com. I hardly ever use the site to be honest, but form what I've seen of her shes one big poser. Hot yes, but my arse is she a TRON fan...

so youre telling me the biggest gaming site ever can't even get somone whos actually into games?

that said however thats only what youve said, Im if thats her job...you know I mean she might be genuine we dont really know (havnt seen any of her stuff, even then I wouldnt really want to judge)

No, I'm saying that they got someone who was hot to do their daily 2-minute video blog to rope in hormonal teenage boys (the majority videogaming market). Whether she actually cares about games I don't know for sure... but I suspect she doesn't.

 

[Tinneh]

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.

I really hope you guys don't seriously care about the differences between the terms "geek" and "nerd," nonetheless use them on a regular basis. But whatever, "geeky" girls kick arse nonetheless, as long as they aren't faking it and using memes from 2007 that got old in 2007.

 

[lord.jeff]

I don't see the geeky girl as rare, in my gaming/movie circle I see just as many girls as guys.

 

[Not-here-anymore]

Meh. I've come across both.
Hell, a couple of years back I was practically a 'geek poser', taking on the rolw semi-ironically due to studying physics. Then I realised that that's actually who I am.

As for girls... My girlfriend knows more about star wars than any other human being I've encountered, ever. I get told off if I mis-spell wookiee.

 

[Purplecoyote]

I'm a girl and I go to conventions, I like both Star Wars and Star Trek, read LoTr and loved it, used to play D&D, have a YuGiOh shirt and two Mass Effect ones (plus the comics and the novels), me and my roommate collect consoles, etc but I have never actually called myself a geek.

I've called myself a nerd on a few occasions, mostly for laughs.

 

[AbstractStream]

I can SMELL when geeky girls are faking it. I love the real ones, but the fake ones are fun to screw with. In more ways than one

Haaaaaa, I see what you did there xD

Until people are honest with and about themselves, they'll use these labels as a crutch. And that means most of their interactions in that area will be at least a little dishonest.

I believe this to be true.

 

[runnernda]

Aside: Grammar Nazis, genuine question. should that question mark have been inside the inverted commas?

Yes.

OT: I'm a girl, and I love video games, computers and most things that geeks have claimed as their own, and I always have. I think the "posers" you're talking about only started being interested in that stuff when being a geek became cool. If being a geek stops being trendy, I imagine the posers will thin out.

 

[SilentCom]

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.

I would have to agree with the first part. If a gear wants to appear like a "geek", then maybe she wants attention/hook up with some geeky guys or find geeky friends to hang out with.

If she isn't interested in connecting with other geeks but is purely concerned in trying to establish an image, then she may not be a geek but rather a poser. The real question is why would a girl (or anyone) want to pose as a geek?

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

(aside from aparently geeky girls being incredibly rare)

You sir have not been to my highschool...

OT: I don't really think you can pose to be a geek, I mean, anyone can be one. I'd say most everyone has a geeky side to them, Look at how many Jack ass like d*uche bags play CoD on xbox. (Note saying that everyone who plays CoD is a d*uche, just the D*uche bags who play it)

 

[TerribleAssassin]

I've met like 3 people who are actual geek (as in us) chicks. But posers annoy me because there's a false sense of trust about them.

 

[OManoghue]

My GF taught me to play both Magic Cards (which sucks) and D&D. That's my proof for real deal.

 

[LuckyClover95]

I've been into games since I was really little, although at the time I was embarrassed about it because I thought girls weren't meant to do that But I still loved them.
If the girls don't actually enjoy the game, they just take up COD at 14 when they're fighting their way through mid puberty because guys find that cool I guess it's annoying and sort of sexist... people trying to be "quirky" annoys me.
I don't really know where I'm going with this, but I've never actually encountered a pretend gamer girl, but then again I've haven't encountered many real ones aside from myself (I say not many, there's one or two, in my WHOLE SCHOOL).
I know a girl who, at 15 only just got into gaming, and that's because her brother got an 360. I'm also not sure what kind of point that's supposed to make.
But as someone previously said girls who are "Ahahaha I'm cute and like Mario and don't actually know anything about games but BEHOLD ME" is really really annoying.
NOT DISSING MARIO BTW. It's just rather simple, and someone who hasn't acquired the mighty gaming logic yet could play it.
You know, I might make a thread on gaming logic.

 

[aba1]

does it matter why all the need to label people if the like what you do great if not what ever if they don't know much but are interested i don't see whats wrong with showing

 

[Tallim]

Aside: Grammar Nazis, genuine question. should that question mark have been inside the inverted commas?

Yes.

OT: I'm a girl, and I love video games, computers and most things that geeks have claimed as their own, and I always have. I think the "posers" you're talking about only started being interested in that stuff when being a geek became cool. If being a geek stops being trendy, I imagine the posers will thin out.

Thanks for the answer, I didn't think it looked right.