"Geek Chic:" a retort to a retort
So this is why you got so quiet.
For those of you who read Jon's site, I am in fact the friend who rather "viciously" attacked the idea of comic-con trekkies and live action role playing being the new "in" thing in American society.
Before you say it, I know you never said that. You did however say the phrase "geek chic" which I think is absolutely hilarious.
Maybe I laughed at the idea before you got time to explain to me that "geek chic" was in reference to people like George Clooney, and Quentin Tarantino, and Jack Black. Not actual geeks, but cool people who can afford to be a little geeky.
We all quote Napoleon Dynamite, we all thought the movie was funny, but nobody wants to be Napoleon Dynamite (except for his sweet dance moves).
Your other article says how great Beauty and the Geek is, and that Serenity is coming out, which proves somehow that geeks are awesomely cool. We're talking in the realm of social acceptablility here, and the idea of a show like Beauty and the Geek is exactly contradictory to your point. It takes hot girls who want to hook up with hot boys, and the twist of the show is... they're geeks. Now eventually, they become less shallow when they realize that the geeks are actually nice people, but throughout history the geek has always been the social outcast. It was like that in high school in the 50's, the 60's the 70's 80's 90's and today. And I don't need to tell you how well the general public is receiveing Serenity.
Personally, I'm not saying being a geek is bad. I'd consider myself geeky about things. You and I have gotten into geeky arguments about which order the Star Wars movies should be watched in. But let me ask you this. If you and I were on a double date with two really attractive women, do you think that's something we'd bring up? "Ladies, what do you think? It's my contention that because of the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi being heavily involved in the more advanced, and yet somewhat inferior prequel trilogy, that his death in episode IV: a New Hope, would be a more moving moment as the film goer realizes that the fate of the galaxy is now truly in the young hands of an inexperienced jedi named Luke Skywalker, and the idea that Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader, aka the Dark Lord of the Sith, is this young boys father being known to the audience at this point, but not to the character is a deep and forboding secret, and that it not being a suprise to the audience as it is to Luke in episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, is not as big of a deal as my friend here believes it to be... ladies? Where did you go?"
Maybe geek is chic with hot chicks though, because if she came back with some clever theory of her own, I may fall in love with her that very night.
Anyway, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings about geekiness being the new cool. They tried that. It was called "Emo." Geeky sad kids. I'd love it though. I'd love it if you could get a girl hot by naming all the members of the Fellowship of the Ring, or mentioning that I've spent $200 on a Plo Koon costume to wear to the local comic-con, or stating that I haven't showered for days because I've been too busy playing Everquest.
Instead, to make geekiness "chic," you have to make sure that you're also George Clooney. Otherwise, it's just really annoying.
-j
For those of you who read Jon's site, I am in fact the friend who rather "viciously" attacked the idea of comic-con trekkies and live action role playing being the new "in" thing in American society.
Before you say it, I know you never said that. You did however say the phrase "geek chic" which I think is absolutely hilarious.
Maybe I laughed at the idea before you got time to explain to me that "geek chic" was in reference to people like George Clooney, and Quentin Tarantino, and Jack Black. Not actual geeks, but cool people who can afford to be a little geeky.
We all quote Napoleon Dynamite, we all thought the movie was funny, but nobody wants to be Napoleon Dynamite (except for his sweet dance moves).
Your other article says how great Beauty and the Geek is, and that Serenity is coming out, which proves somehow that geeks are awesomely cool. We're talking in the realm of social acceptablility here, and the idea of a show like Beauty and the Geek is exactly contradictory to your point. It takes hot girls who want to hook up with hot boys, and the twist of the show is... they're geeks. Now eventually, they become less shallow when they realize that the geeks are actually nice people, but throughout history the geek has always been the social outcast. It was like that in high school in the 50's, the 60's the 70's 80's 90's and today. And I don't need to tell you how well the general public is receiveing Serenity.
Personally, I'm not saying being a geek is bad. I'd consider myself geeky about things. You and I have gotten into geeky arguments about which order the Star Wars movies should be watched in. But let me ask you this. If you and I were on a double date with two really attractive women, do you think that's something we'd bring up? "Ladies, what do you think? It's my contention that because of the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi being heavily involved in the more advanced, and yet somewhat inferior prequel trilogy, that his death in episode IV: a New Hope, would be a more moving moment as the film goer realizes that the fate of the galaxy is now truly in the young hands of an inexperienced jedi named Luke Skywalker, and the idea that Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader, aka the Dark Lord of the Sith, is this young boys father being known to the audience at this point, but not to the character is a deep and forboding secret, and that it not being a suprise to the audience as it is to Luke in episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, is not as big of a deal as my friend here believes it to be... ladies? Where did you go?"
Maybe geek is chic with hot chicks though, because if she came back with some clever theory of her own, I may fall in love with her that very night.
Anyway, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings about geekiness being the new cool. They tried that. It was called "Emo." Geeky sad kids. I'd love it though. I'd love it if you could get a girl hot by naming all the members of the Fellowship of the Ring, or mentioning that I've spent $200 on a Plo Koon costume to wear to the local comic-con, or stating that I haven't showered for days because I've been too busy playing Everquest.
Instead, to make geekiness "chic," you have to make sure that you're also George Clooney. Otherwise, it's just really annoying.
-j
2 Comments:
For the record. You didn't hurt my feelings or offend my geek sensibilities or whatever. I was quiet because I was (and am) exhausted. I didn't have much to say, and that really is where that ends.
Also: Jack Black and QT are, in the extreme, geeks. QT will rant on, for hours, to anyone, about 70s blaxploitation films. Then, if you mention 80s buddy films, same thing. He's a geek. Through and through.
By
jon jon, at Fri Oct 07, 08:41:00 AM EDT
You know baby... I'm a level 40 dungeonmaster wizard with a black tunic and a big... long... hard staff. Wanna go back to my mom's basement with me and watch some pirated anime porn I downloaded? I'll bring the Doritos.
By
Joseph, at Mon Oct 10, 10:31:00 PM EDT
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