Proud Computer Geeks: Should They Get a Life?

First, I'd like to say that I've been called a computer geek myself. I have a degree in the computer science field, specifically in web development. I enjoy programming, particularly for web applications, computing on a command line, and I run the Linux operating system instead of MS Windows. I handle the computer repairs and upgrades for family and friends and give them advice. Nevertheless, I don't consider myself a computer geek or nerd, just someone with above average knowledge of computers.

Quite frankly, I've seen and interacted with a good number of people who just seem to take great delight in being labeled a computer geek. They equate this with being considered a very smart individual. I've even met people who were so elated that they had learned something about computers that they literally made themselves look foolish by going on and on about it. Others sometimes pick up a little of the vocabulary and use it excessively, and often incorrectly, just to show others that they're computer geek material.

Computer Science is like any other field; it's not for everyone and it's not the standard by which to judge someone's intelligence or importance. What many who are impressed by computer geeks and nerds don't realize is that to be knowledgeable in one area such as programming doesn't necessarily mean that person is knowledgeable about another area such as networking.

I remember buying my first computer years ago from my employer who was selling them to employees at greatly reduced prices since the company was upgrading. I figured then was my chance to finally have the opportunity to learn basic computing in the comfort of my home. I never expected nor hoped to join the ranks of the computer geeks. I knew so little back then that the simple fact that the computers being sold with MS Windows 95 caused me to think I was all ready to go. I even asked the IT technician in charge of sales what had happened to some of the "pictures" (I didn't know to say "icons") that used to come up on that first screen (again, I didn't know to say "desktop"). Of course, he had to uninstall all software except the operating system. I was in mass confusion as to how to get things to work and had to learn bits and pieces from the people who were nice and patient enough to understand my garbled English. They were my first teachers.

Although I do believe that computers are over-used, I find them fascinating. Gardeners and farmers speak of how they find growing food fascinating, artists love to create works of art and chefs take delight in the fine foods they turn out. None of these people are called geeks nor do they want to be. Is it because gardening, cooking, and art don't require knowledge of Mathematics or the sciences? Well, being a doctor or a rocket scientist certainly does, but they're not called geeks.

I guess I just don't understand the weird yearning to be known as a computer geek or nerd as though there's something so cute about it. If someone spends so much time at a computer on the command line, programming and/or hacking that he's void of social skill, well then he's a computer geek. But, what's there to be proud of if that's the case? This article isn't mean to be all that serious, however, to long to be labeled a computer geek is to need a life.