Culture

Elder Geeks Speak: Listening to Us Old People

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Last week I looked into how we Elder Geeks could discuss careers, provide advice, and otherwise help the younger geek crowd career-wise. There’s a challenging series of gaps there, so I wanted to give the advice necessary to bridge those gaps.

Of course the flip side is that, no matter what we do, the other half of the equation are the younger people looking to us for wisdom. Yes, that’s a terrifying thought, but that’s the kind of situation we’re in – guess what old geeks, we are the experts.

But for the younger geeks, I also wanted to provide some advice – how to get the maximum amount of information from us. So here’s my advice for talking – and listening – to us when we get up and blather at conventions and such.

(It may also give ideas about how to arrange events and such).

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The Age of the Dark Knight of Steel: Getting More Cynical About Comics Adaptions

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It’s no secret that I’m one of the people here at MuseHack who is expecting a Hollywood meltdown to happen (or the current one to get worse). There’s too much going on, too much going wrong, too many checklists trying to save the cat, and 2015 is loaded with Blockbusters. It’s a collision course with reality, and I’m expecting some pain.

Now that being said, I’ve also found some of the current releases quite good. I enjoyed “The Avengers” even if it was rather standard. I do need to see “Man of Steel” because Serdar, ever holding high standards, was impressed. But looking at the latest announcements, something has upped my cynicism levels even further.

Big Name Adaptions within existing properties, specifically, comics.

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Elder Geeks Speak: Talking Careers

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So I’m an Elder Geek. I’m 45. I saw Akira in the theaters (and was confused). I saw Star Wars first run. I remember the first “Cosmos” and have the book. You get the idea – or at least I hope you do.

I also speak on careers. I write on careers. I also encourage my fellow Elder Geeks who’ve been around the block a few times to do the same because let’s face it, we’ve got the experience and should share it. Also the economy is in tatters, so hey, let’s help people out here.

Except sometimes, it’s hard. It’s challenging to bridge the gaps between us and people ten, twenty, even thirty years younger. Things have changed, technology has changed, jobs has changed, and there is that whole smoking-ruin-of the economy thing I mentioned. It’s hard to explain how to survive in the economic wasteland when you’re coming from a different background.

So, as I look at my next round of convention talks, and as I encourage my fellows to talk about careers at cons, blogs, random gaming sessions, etc. I wanted to share what you can do to help talk to the younger geek crowd about careers. Trust me, it’s needed.

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