Conclusion

To summarize, my research has shown that geek culture is gradually becoming one of the popular cultures, and that more people have come to accept the idea of geek culture in modern society due to the concepts of what is normal changing over time. Geek culture has been intelligently associated with many economical aspects, and hence in a way, geek culture will never cease to exist in modern society. Being a geek no longer means you are sentenced to being a freak. On the contrary, geeks too can live a life to the full without being cast out of the mainstream society. Different types of geeks live with different kinds of devotions, and it is up to each individuals to decide what is the best for them in their lives. To have something in life to be passionate about is absolutely harmless and fun. But if we allow that to take over our lives and both live narrow headedly and anti-socially, it might not be the smartest thing to do.

References

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http://www.articlecity.com/articles/self_improvement_and_motivation/article_7272.shtml

Kramer, P.(2009). What Is Normal. Retrieved May 11, 2012, from
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200910/what-is-normal

Mitchell, E.(2003). Everyone's a Film Geek Now. Retrieved May 11, 2012, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/17/movies/everyone-s-a-film-geek-now.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

Faiola, A (2005). In Tokyo, a Ghetto of Geeks. Retrieved May 11, 2012 from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/06/AR2005060601767.html

Grassmuck, V (2004). I'm Alone, but not Lonely. Retrieved May 11, 2012 from
http://www.lazaruscorporation.co.uk/articles/otaku

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http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/we-are-all-gadget-nerds-now/

Usborne, S. (2012). White hot market for Geeks. Retrieved May 11, 2012, from
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10792978

Lohr, S. (2009).‘Nerd' and‘Geek' Should Be Banned,Professor Says. Retrieved May 11, 2012. from
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Geek culture and Profit making

When your favorite book turns into a movie, would you watch it? If later on there comes a game in the name of that movie you love, would you want to buy the game and play it? What if figurines based on the characters of your favorite games are out on the market, would you want to own them? The loop goes on and on and the majority of people would say yes to at least one of the options listed previously. Because the truth is, we all have something we love and we love to see them around us as manufactured products which we could physically own. It might be books, games, comics/manga, costumes, dolls(e.g, Ball joint dolls), computers, phones...the market shall never be empty. The geek culture is no longer hiding from the mainstream society, it's out in the light where everyone can see. Products which inspired by geek culture have become very popular with people of all age groups.

The famous new release movie "The Hunger Games" devoured 155 million US dollars. Like it or not, wouldn't it be very cool if you can own the mocking-jay pin which the heroine wore as "a token from district 12"? Star war fans, how awesome would it be to have one of those Light saber umbrellas ? There are countless geek culture products out there on the market and a lot of people are making endless profits out of it. Personally, I believe it to be harmless, fun, and financially intelligent to associate geek culture with economical aspects.

Types of Geeks

Speaking of types of geeks, I found this humorous cartoon picture featuring "56 types of geeks".

You can either fit yourself into one of those interesting categories, or you can even make up your own "geeky kind".

Here I included a few mainstream geek types out in the modern society around the world.

Firstly, the nerds. Nerds are often portrayed either overweight or short and thin. They are pictured to be unattractive, have difficulties in sports etc but they can be very smart.It's been said that "Nerds are the people of above-average intelligence who place little importance on their appearance". However certain old time nerdy activity or subject can become less nerdy overtime due to the evolving image of the majority population taking that interest. For instance computers, video games, the internet, TV etc.

Everyone who knows Japanese styled cartoon or so called "manga", knows the word Otaku". It means "venerable house", but also refers to someone who has a devotion to a subject or hobby to the point of not leaving his or her house. The modern Japanese image of an otaku is someone who only leaves their house to eat or shop and have a huge obsession about something.(not necessarily anime and manga). Generally speaking, calling someone an otaku in Japan is an insult. However, the same word "Otaku" when said in China, reduces its negative meanings. If someone labelled themselves as an "Otaku", it can be easily taken as a mere joke with much less of the negative meaning. Sometimes people choose to have a weekend Otaku lifestyle, which means they work all week, non-stop and when it comes to the weekend, they don't leave the house and just relax at home. In the western culture, the term otaku has numerous effects to different people. Some people might even take it as a compliment.

Neets, on the other hand, is one of those "gone too far" kind of geeks. The word "neet" means "Not in education, employment or training." it's the type of geeks equivalent to the type of "Otaku" who absolutely doesn't leave the house unless they have to. If calling someone an otaku in Japan is considered an insult, then in certain content the translation of the word "otaku" might just be "neet" as its implying that the person's social skills have not been developed fully due to their obsession in their chosen fandom. In many Asian countries, neets are financially supported by their parents and they don't choose to contribute to the society what so ever.

Are geeks mere freaks?

People consider crazy, abnormal beings as "freaks". Are geeks mere freaks?

When a friend of mine went to his "computer geek" friend to get some newly downloaded episodes of their favorite animation show. He said to me :"I trust my devices to my friend because he owns a computer fixing home business and so I know I will never get viruses from him and he always get the newest stuff off the net and share with me, isn't it fantastic?"

It is indeed. Imagine to have a friend who knows all about computers and is making a living out of it. Then imagine whenever your computer crashes, your friend can just fix it within 10 minutes without charging you anything? Sweet as.

People have the liberty to choose what they want to do in their lives. Everyone has something he or she is passionate about, if we identify people who have a strong interest on something they love as geeks, then we are all more or less geeks. In the society we live in now, geeks no longer just hide behind a computer, stay in the bedroom 24/7 and live with his parents. Geeks, too, can choose to have a real life, being outgoing,have a job, pay the tax and keep his or her interests without been rejected away from the mainstream society.

What is normal?

What is normal?

One of the definition on dictionary.com for the word "normal" is the common type.

In the year 2012, what is considered common? Having a cellphone, getting educated, having a love relationship in your teens, waiting in front the TV every week for your favorite show etc. Therefore in short, being considered within the common sense is common.

But the sense of common sense have changed in the past ten years. No doubt.

Back when I was a kid when laptops were not as common, I used to think the idea of having a laptop was somewhat unnecessary and weird. In elementary school we used to use green screened computers and all we did in IT class was to type words and practice our typing speed. Nowadays, it is common sense to bring your phone with you everyday, but in the era when there was no cell phone, maybe carrying stamps around is more of the common thing to do. Nowadays if we had to live without a computer, TV, mobile phone, printers, internet access... life would be simply dreadfully inconvenient.

Therefore, the ever evolving concepts of human society is the key to what is considered normal. If we all seem to have a certain product, for example: TV. Then it is considered normal and we accept it more easily without much questions.

Introduction

Are geeks acceptable in the modern society? Nowadays, geeks seems to be everywhere. Have you ever wondered what they meant by labeling someone or even themselves as a "geek"? When you hear the word geek, what pops into your mind first? Freaks? Weirdos? But once again, what exactly is considered normal?


I raised four arguments regarding my topic: 1, what is normal? 2, Are geeks mere freaks? 3, What are the different types of geeks around the world? 4, Geek culture and profit making.


Geeks or no geeks? My final argument will be that no matter what people choose to be in live(which is completely liberal.) There is always a fine line of keeping a balance, or so called "moderation".