Do you feel underappreciated or resent the geek/nerd stigma?

Answer 1

You can thank those that came before you for the (now) unfair stigma.

It will take time for the technical community to grow out of the anti-social/ultra nerd stereo type (I feel like it's on the way out). Honestly I know a lot of people that I work(ed) with that still conform to the stereo type, so it can't be all that far fetched.

I feel like it just kind of comes with the territory, It seems like it obviously isn't true of you so no need to sweat it.

Also your statement that without you, your company would be useless is kind of egotistical.

Without people to sell the product your code would be useless, it's a team every member is critical.

Never forget that.

Answer 2

It's Saturday night, perhaps you should get out more :-)

The hum-drum of the office may not look so bad when you are outside a few beers.

Answer 3

No.  

Answer 4

I think that the being a geek has changed meaning in the last few years. While before most people were extremely distant from computers and could leave others mess with computers, today they depend on "geeks". I don't find being a geek derogative; if the person means to use that to insult me, well, that's the wrong person to hang around with anyway.

To me, being a geek means to be a part of large community of people who feel and think like me. To me, it's a positive thing.

Being a nerd is different: I associate geeks with computers. I perceive nerds, on the other hand, as asocial beings that even geeks resent. They are not productive in any way; they may be smart-asses, they may play stuff like DnD. Geeks may do that too. But nerds are the guys who nobody wants to be.

And many people already feel ok about being geeks.

Answer 5

Say it out loud! I'm geek and I'm proud! Huh!

Answer 6

I think (seriously) you need to do something with your own self esteem...

Seriously, it's "all in our minds"...

I am the "ultra geek". Does that mean I am not a social being? Well, I founded a company which was valued for $2.5MILL at its peak. I attracted investors, I went to evangelizing meetings and got a lot of attention. I headhunted people who would get jobs at Google easily with 5 times the salary which chose to work for us. I am now on my second startup...

But when it comes to coding, that's what I know, that's what I love and that's my gift. Yes I like computers more then humans (in general - of course this does not apply for family and such)

I look at myself as the "ultra geek" and I can do stuff with computers and programming most people didn't realize was possible...

Am I a geek? Well, yes, of course. Just like a "homosexual" is a "gay" and a "female homosexual" is a "lesbian".

Though these words only have (negative) meaning if you LET them have negative meaning, and that's where your self esteem comes into the picture...

Be proud, grow tall!

If you are a skilled developer it doesn't matter what other people call you, including "Geek", "Asbie" (Asberger) or "Rudolf the Reindeer". A good geek should know he is a good geek, and if he is then he is confident in his own skills and gifts and doesn't take these kind of "name-tags" negatively...

Answer 7

The average person regards "nerds" and "geeks" with the same view as a peasant does a hedge-wizard. They disdain them for not fitting in with their own world-view, but have some grudging respect for their ability to grasp things which might as well be magic, based on their comprehension.

Remember, you have the power. Use it to instill respect and fear, or to install NetHack on web server.

Answer 8

Those are just social science (or worse "Business") majors who don't know anything about anything and are secretly insecure about how ignorant they are. They're just the "teeming masses." I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 9

Hi guys, I couldn't help myself and wrote down a blog about my thoughts about this. I think way too many "David Stars" are being handed out generously today... :(

Read it here; Don't be a geek...

Answer 10

I take it and make it an advantage. I've incorporated the 'geek' into my language in different ways. If someone makes a slightly derogitory 'geek comment', I might come back with "Hey, geeks write the software on your ATM machine".

When I've fixed things I might comment "UberGeek to the rescue" - I've been writing programs since grade school and I'm 46 years old. I joke that "the Geek Squad calls ME". And when I have a 5TB Windows Home Server with more Video On Demand than the cable company (You want a Doctor Who episode from 1971? Coming right up!) along with several other tech-solutions in the house and can apply some of that to doing something with my girlfriend (even if it's just some Google-fu), I'll say something like "There are advantages to dating a geek!"

I do break the preconceived notions of geekdom. I do shower, I'm not morbidly obese (though I could stand to lose about 20 pounds) and I've been married. I have a social life, though the ones my two daughters have put me to shame..

I'm certainly not like any of the caricature 'losers' in the Nerd Herd on "Chuck" but when you can build a computer form parts, you get a reputation. I just decided to go with it and make it a positive rather than a negative.