Professional Geekery

Embarrassment In The Time of E-Publishing?

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Lately I've been experimenting with online publishing sites as a way to put out an advanced report for the Geek Scanner.  That's also had me thinking about how easy it is to publish, and what it means for the embarrassment of publishing something bad.

We've all heard about some meltdown that some author had online, from fanfic writers to professionals (in everything but the "professional dignity" sense). More people are putting stuff out more people are able to read it, so what does it mean for the idea of being embarrassed for putting out something bad?

Know what? I'm not sure.  I've wondered about similar issues before, and I'm wondering still.

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Geekiness And Normalization

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I call myself a professional geek.  I am quite proud to say that. Yet, oddly, I can remember when geek was an insulting term and not the definition–bordering–on–compliment it is today.

Or in short, I remember the 80s.  If you don't, you're actually missing quite a lot, but I digress.

Now, being an old geek, I remember when the term was basically insulting, sort of a version of "egghead" and implying a kind of pathology or maladjustment.  I remember when it was virtually the same as "nerd".

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Progeek Pride: Knowledge

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I'm all for professional geek pride. That  is incredibly obvious if you've read any of this blog. Or met me.  Or seen my website. You could probably tell by telepathy, but I digress (which you also know I do)

Something struck me recently at work (don't worry, in a good way), and that is one thing that helps define, and as a point of pride for professional geeks. We geeks internalize a lot of information–most of it useful (you know, beyond Boba Fett's actual age).

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