You've probably heard about Peak Oil – sometimes its portrayed as "oil running out" but is really more "demand growing greter than we can get it out" (of which running out may be part of it).
I've been wondering about Peak Geek.
Culture
Embarrassment In The Time of E-Publishing?
Lately I've been experimenting with online publishing sites as a way to put out an advanced report for the Geek Scanner. That's also had me thinking about how easy it is to publish, and what it means for the embarrassment of publishing something bad.
We've all heard about some meltdown that some author had online, from fanfic writers to professionals (in everything but the "professional dignity" sense). More people are putting stuff out more people are able to read it, so what does it mean for the idea of being embarrassed for putting out something bad?
Know what? I'm not sure. I've wondered about similar issues before, and I'm wondering still.
Geekiness And Normalization
I call myself a professional geek. I am quite proud to say that. Yet, oddly, I can remember when geek was an insulting term and not the definition–bordering–on–compliment it is today.
Or in short, I remember the 80s. If you don't, you're actually missing quite a lot, but I digress.
Now, being an old geek, I remember when the term was basically insulting, sort of a version of "egghead" and implying a kind of pathology or maladjustment. I remember when it was virtually the same as "nerd".