Keene Equinox

Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Opinions

A few summers ago, I was at a comic shop called "Paper Back Heroes." At this place, I got talking to the owner and he made a very good point to me: that everybody is a geek about something.

Don't understand? Allow me to explain.

"Geeks" are supposed to be passionate about one certain thing and have a superior knowledge of that certain thing compared to most people.

For example, I have been labeled a comic geek by my peers because of my vast knowledge of comic books and their history.

I have been to comic book conventions where people dress up as their favorite Marvel or DC heroes and villains. I like it. But is there really any difference between them and sports geeks, or sports nuts?

Sports nuts, like comic geeks, have a vast knowledge of certain sports, players or teams and, like comic geeks, they hold conventions where they buy sports memorabilia and seek certain people's autograph. Some people make fun of comic geeks dressing up as their favorite comic character.

When my father, brother and I went to the opening night of "Superman Returns" in IMAX, we all wore Superman shirts.

Sure, we got a few stares and if Dane Cook were there he'd want to shoot us, but we did not care. We weren't the only ones doing it. Some think it makes us look foolish and stupid, but sports nuts wear their favorite player's jersey to sporting events. Is there really any difference?

Like comic geeks, they are dressing up as someone they are not; they are wearing a costume. And last time I checked, not everyone who was at Fenway Park was David Ortiz or Curt Schilling.

Who else are actually geeks but hide behind another name? Gear heads are car geeks. It's the same thing with sports nuts. They hold conventions, wear clothing of their favorite car brand, seek autographs of certain people and know a lot about cars. Same goes for music expert, who are music geeks and fashion experts that are fashion geeks. Tell me the difference between all of them and comic geeks.

There is nothing wrong with being a geek. Geeks are good. We are passionate about something and we like it. They may not admit it, but my friends are geeks too. My friends include film, literature and Star Wars geeks. Everyone needs a hobby. Heck, even some people make careers out of their "geeky" hobbies.

Look at James Rolfe. He is known on the Internet as the "Angry Video Game Nerd". He loves video games and makes hilarious reviews that he posts on the Internet. Today, he has made a career out of his geeky hobby for video games. More power to him.

I even watched a "Today Show" bit about geeks. In the segment, they did a survey and it turned out that women prefer geeks over buff guys for a long-term relationship. One woman surveyed said she was never into the whole "ripples everywhere" look. Rejoice geeks, there is hope for love out there!

We might be a little out there sometimes, but we are simply passionate about stuff we like.

Geeks have always been the go-to people for those in need. When you had computer problems, who was there to help you out? Computer geeks. When you needed to study for your history exam, who did you seek to help you study? A history buff. The next time you want to label someone a geek, take a look at yourself first.

Keith O'Neil is a senior majoring in journalism. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Equinox.

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