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Thursday, April 2, 2015

Guy Talk: On the popularity of geeks

Yesterday, I shared a woman’s perspective on geek culture, and today, I’m excited to hear the male point of view. Mark Brooks is an online dating expert and writes a weekly dating column. He answers some very important, need-to-know questions below…

——————–

Why have geeks suddenly gained such credibility now?
In the past, there’s been a stigma about geeks that has made them unpopular to some people. However, geeks have always had credibility for people who are not entirely hung up on superficial categorizations. Some people look more towards the all-American or the jock type of guy when looking for a partner. They look at them and think alpha male. However, they eventually find out that broad shoulders or a good style will only get you so far in a relationship. Women have traditionally dated the cool guys and then sought comfort and understanding from their geekier friends when Mr. Cool turns out to be a dud.

Sadly, it isn’t so much of a self-realization that has made women more open to geeks, but pop culture. With our reliance on technology, it’s good to have a geek around. One major retail chain even hails the existence of their geek squad. There’s also the concept that you can turn a geek into something more. Take a look at Patrick Dempsy. To millions of people, he was the geeky kid on the lawn mower in “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Now he’s “McDreamy.” A few years, a better tan and a set of hand weights and you’ve got a whole new man. With Mr. Cool, what you see is what you get, but with a geek, women often times see potential.

Why have they been avoided as potential dates in the past?
In the past, geeks have been avoided by some because they have been considered weaker and more social awkward than cooler people. There’s also been the concern from “normal people” that they just don’t have anything in common with geeks. Thankfully, much of this stereotyping is starting to erode.

What can women gain by giving a geek a chance?
The first thing you have to consider is that women have the same thing to gain by dating a geek as they do in dating a “cool person.” After all, geeks are people too, right? So first off, women have the chance to meet someone they can build a great relationship with. That said, there are certain advantages to having a geek on your arm. For example, geeks who have been written off by people in the past because of social status, tend to be much more tender and accepting partners. They look below the surface and are more interested in who someone really is instead of whatever they are tagged with by society. For the most part, geeks are not players. In fact, they are the anti-player. Most people in relationships with geeks tend to find that they feel more like they are in a real partnership than when they were dating Mr. Cool. There’s more of an interest in connecting on both end and that leads to a much more attentive partner and a greater feeling of security in the relationship. Also, they tend to be pretty handy when it comes to fixing computers or messing with high tech gadgets.

What are the best hot spots for meeting a lovable geek?
Well, as anyone could tell you, geeks like to hang out under stairwells in dark alleys where they can roll their 12-sided dice in relative peace and tranquility while they eat their Cheetos and drink copious amounts of Mountain Dew. OK, seriously, where would you find a geek that you’d like to date? Probably some place that you’d already want to go to. Geeks have many interests. They don’t all huddle up in basements and comic book stores. They go where there is art, intelligent conversation, creativity…you name it. You might find one in the bookstore or maybe at a gallery exhibit. You could find the perfect geek on the elliptical next to you at the gym or even standing next to you in the produce aisle. Believe it or not, they are everywhere!

[Photo via We Heart It]

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Awesome Advice, Dating, Geek is the new chic, Guy Talk, Happiness, How To Live A Happy Life, Love Lessons, Uncategorized

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

In The Pursuit of Happiness: On the evolution of geeks

Yesterday, we began an intimate look inside the ever-evolving world of geekdom, and I shared a quote from Lauren Stracner, a Los Angeles-based PR coordinator and self-proclaimed nerd fan. Today, I’m psyched to share the rest of our interview! Ready to get your geek on? Here. We. Go…

——————–

A bit of background about Lauren: I work for a public relations firm that specializes in working with consumer electronics clients. In 2009, I went to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to work at a client’s booth, and CES is where I met my boyfriend. The Jeopardy! Tournament of
Champions was being filmed at the Sony booth, and I secured stand-by tickets for the final show. I was #5 in line, he was #6 — all bespectacled, curly-haired 6’9” of him. We had two hours to talk and the rest is history.

Why have geeks suddenly gained such credibility now?
The joke phrase “the geek shall inherit the earth” has come true: We’ve become a society that’s almost wholly dependent on technology not just for entertainment, but for making our day-to-day lives run smoothly. Even non-geeks are trying to out-geek each other by lining up for the latest consumer electronics gadgets. Even Hollywood stops for geeks when Comic-con International — a.k.a. Nerdvana — rolls into San Diego every year, with studios previewing their latest blockbusters to gauge the all-important reactions from the attendees. Smart phones, high-powered laptops,
super-realistic video games, eye-popping movie special effects — geeks are behind all that now “wows” us, making the brains that develop such toys the new hot commodity.

Why have they been avoided as potential dates in the past?
Societal pressure from movies, television, magazines and books has always dictated that geeks should be shuffled to the sidelines as the endearing sidekick to the more masculine romantic lead. A perfect example of this is actually embodied in my boyfriend, who has long had several close girl friends who had no desire to actually close that space and become a girlfriend because he was a geek and not the guy they felt they should be dating. Their loss. 😉

However, with the culture shift towards an emphasis on science and technology, geeks are in the spotlight, as is their success. With the exposure, they’re also finally able to shed the basement-dwelling gamer stereotypes and present themselves as clever, funny, even cute people with multi-layered interests and an endless supply of conversation topics. With smart becoming a new form of sexy, they’re definitely transitioning from third-wheel to main catch.

What can women gain by giving a geek a chance?
Most geeks make great conversation because they’re excited about learning and want to share their knowledge and engage in discussions. Also, in my personal experiences, geeks don’t try to adhere to the expected alpha-male model of masculinity; they aren’t afraid to be sweet, sensitive and genuine.

What are the best hot spots for meeting a lovable geek?
As I mentioned, I met my geek at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. I’ve also talked to some great geek guys at Comic-Con, Siggraph (a graphic artists’ convention) and E3 (a game developers’ convention). However, most of these are industry events I get into because of my job, but alternative approaches are out there. The most important thing is to go where geeks are in their element and comfortable. You’re probably not going to pick up a geek at a trendy bar.

P.S. An EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT is coming up this afternoon! Get pumped, friends! 🙂

[Photos via We Heart It]

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: A Woman's Word, Awesome Advice, Dating, Geek is the new chic, Happiness, Happiness Series, How To Live A Happy Life, In The Pursuit of Happiness, In The Pursuit of Happiness series, Love Lessons, Uncategorized

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Love Lounge: Revenge of the nerds

I’ve never made a secret of the fact that my heart beats loud and clear for the nerds — both the human kind and the sugary candy kind. But today, I’d like to speak about the former.

I was going through some old emails and found a magazine pitch I wrote way back in 2009. It looks like I was quite the trendsetter, as I was extolling the virtues of the Mighty Geek all the way back then. This was a time when Sheldon and company were just beginning to cement their place in the pop culture lexicon. That’s right. There was never a been a better time to be a bit quirky, offbeat, a little left of center. Mr. Bespeckled no long had to hide under the peripheral radar – or behind those specks! The time had come where it was finally hip to be a square.

This week, I thought it would be neat to look at what men and women have to say about the appeal of nerds, starting with a woman’s perspective…

“Geeks are really chic now because, as technology is replacing humans at an alarming rate, we “need” these people more than ever. They are truly modern knights in shining armor,” says Dr. Nancy Irwin. “All the brawn in the world can’t kill a computer virus. Geeks can. Brains are replacing brawn. By giving geeks a chance, women can see what is on the inside of a person vs. focusing on the external. And, the best places to meet geeks are at computer convention, science fiction sections of bookstores or the physics department of your local university

It’s. About. Time. Two more great nuggets from awesome women…

*”Guys are going for geeky girls too! I know that for a fact, as a she-geek who runs a web marketing agency. The geek thing goes both ways. My ‘wild web woman’ agency is a bunch of nerdy web girls who dress conservatively and guys think we are totally hot — they love us for our minds, not our bodacious bodies! I have found a way to make my geekiness cool and lucrative! Also, the love of my life is an IT guy and his geekiness is totally hot. It’s all about smarts, humor and authenticity. I have gained a ton by going geek, both personally and in my love life!” –Lorrie Thomas from Lorrie Thomas Web Marketing 

*”Geeks are just inherently approachable, and I think both women and men have picked up on that and are realizing it’s not always what’s on the
outside that’s attractive. What’s behind those thick-rimmed square glasses can be quite fun and sexy, too.” –Lauren Stracner, public relations specialist

Your turn, friends: Are you pro geek? How have you felt about the evolution of geeks over the years? Do you think they’re more “socially acceptable” than they were, say, 10 or 20 years ago? Why do you think so? Let’s chat, shall we? Look for more fun — and insightful! — quotes and interviews tomorrow! And keep the conversation going on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #GiveGeeksAChance.

P.S. More geek goodness, like geeky buttons, for grammar nerds, Nerd Boyfriend, overused words, math pillows and pocket squares!

[Photos via We Heart It]

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Dating, Geek is the new chic, Love Lessons, Love Lounge, Uncategorized

Monday, March 16, 2015

Man Candy Monday.

Happy Monday morning, friends! Are you ready to tackle a new week? I’ve got one of my classic Target trips planned, so perhaps I’ll share a video of the damage (read: I saw these in this week’s ad, so you know it’s not going to be pretty). Anyway, today’s guy is another “smart” pick, if you know what I mean. He’s always been a journalism inspiration to be. He always knows what’s going on. And don’t even get me going on his adorable smile…

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS!!!!!!!!!!

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Entertainment and Media, Geek is the new chic, Man Candy, Photographs, Random Fun, Uncategorized, work

Monday, March 2, 2015

Man Candy Monday.

Good Monday morning, friends! Can you believe it’s March already? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been counting down the days until spring since New Year’s — we’ve only got 18 days to go now! And speaking of good things, a few of you have requested today’s guy, and who am I to deny such an awesome choice? In fact, I couldn’t agree more! His sense of determination over the years is nothing short of inspiring. He doesn’t care what people think. And he’s quite possibly the smartest mind of our generation…

STEPHEN HAWKING!!!!!!!!!!

“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.”

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: books, Entertainment and Media, Geek is the new chic, Man Candy, movies, Photographs, Random Fun, Uncategorized

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So About What I Said is a daily blog that covers relationships, disabilities, lifestyle and pop culture. I love to laugh and have been known to overshare. I also have an unabashed obsession with pop music, polo shirts, and PEZ dispensers. Read more...

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