Geek Violence
This guest blog post was written by the geek known as “kpsince1953.”
I don’t think it would be outrageous to suggest that most Geeks are friendly passive creatures who would never dream of committing a savage, violent act. This made me think of the violence in the world and how it affects Geeks and even the part we play in local and global acts of violence.
The individuals who design weapons of war could most likely be described as Geeks. Not because Geeks have any violent intent, but rather though there interests and knowledge of technology. What I’m trying to say is the type of person who succeeds in the world of weapons development most likely has a personal interest in the field of technology and the communities that follow its progression. Therefore, s/he could most likely be described as a Geek.
I feel the Geeks connection to violence extends further. It’s no secret that technological progression has a lot to do with space travel and perhaps even more so, the military. Therefore, a lot of modern technology is a product of violent intentions, and which stereotype uses technology more than any other? Geeks.
I have come to the conclusion that Geeks – possibly the most passive and gentle of all people – are directly involved and largely responsible for all the major wars of our time. I understand this is a sensationalist claim. But I believe my reasoning is sound. As a proud Geek myself I wanted to delve further into this ironic turn of events. In doing so I came to a second more important conclusion. The same category of individual who would be contracted to design a weapon would also be suitable to design a wheel chair, or prosthetic limb. I would even be willing to bet on that it will be a Geek who will cure cancer.
My final conclusion is simple. I believe that the Geeks influence on the modern world is immeasurable. Geeks have provided the tools to perform the worst and best acts in human history. However, while Geeks may be the ones providing the tools to commit these acts, they themselves are controlled by other men and governments who decide how those tools are to be used.
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7 Comments
Haroun Kola
August 15th, 2009
at 11:36pm
There’s a violent and fearful energy, that’s infiltrating every aspect of our lives on Earth wanting to destroy all of life and using life itself for hat purpose. Life will eventually triumph though :)
TheMacMommy
August 15th, 2009
at 11:39pm
We really need more Geeks at the upper, administrative levels making the important decisions about how best to implement the talents of Geeks.
Just had a discussion with some teachers this evening (I’m married to a physics teacher) and it’s so sad how Geeks like me just want to help people accomplish goals that will further educate people, but it’s the administrative level that holds us all behind. If only they would consult with the Geeks on issues and become educated themselves. It’s so frustrating when Geeks are treated like peons and not respected for our talents and abilities to make significant changes for the better. We need more Geeks at the upper level who understand and can make rational decisions.
Ryan
August 15th, 2009
at 11:39pm
Thought provoking stuff!
Crimjct
August 16th, 2009
at 1:35am
Bravo!!!!!!!
Wardell
August 16th, 2009
at 7:05am
I’d also say that in most cases technology is a double edge sword, and some of the most destructive technology has more often than not been used in ways that deviate from the intent of the original inventor or discoverer.
Telomere
August 16th, 2009
at 8:22am
Very true. Robert Oppenheimer regretted having anything to do with developing atomic weapons. Some geeks developed these things through, as you say, a desire to learn, understand, tinker and create. You’re quite right in saying that its OTHER people, usually a lot dumber, who then come along and simply take it for themselves and then commit these awful acts.
We need a new generation of geeks not driven by monetary interest who are also in positions whereby only THEY truly can decide where the things they invent are used and what they are used for.
buffalo
August 17th, 2009
at 9:08am
There is a supposition here that to be technologically competant, you must be passive, friendly, anti-war, anti-violence. peculiar, odd, and disinterested in money. It might even help if you were totally familiar with the correct geek chic persona, wear black horn-rimmed glasses with adhesive tape around the bridge piece, a checked shirt, a plastic pocket protector with many colored pens, red bow tie, suspenders and belt, a belt holster for your portable wireless communication device du jour, white socks and black shoes with velcro closures.
In other words, the unspoken description of geekness is one who is unbalanced with a fashion sense that never was in style, on average. …but unbalanced in certain vaguely definable ways.
A geeks credentials should include mathematical competence, a beyond-average interest in science and technology, a certain social ignorance or anxiety, and being out of sync on making a fashion statement.
Geek chic is the antithesis of geekness.
Schizophrenia can define an unbalanced person. While some people with schizophrenia might be geeks, not all geeks are victims of schizophrenia.
Some people prone to violence, who seek reason to be outraged against some group of others, who store lists of itemized offenses by others, who are actually attempting to find the threshold that allows them to commit a violent act, might be seen as unbalanced. Does that make them geeks?
No; people who stoke rage until they can act violently might also show evidence of geekish behavior, but not all people who show evidence of geekish behavior are human time bombs.
The identified situation is common to more than the geek community (if that’s not an oxy-moron.) Many people, geeks and non-geeks alike, who are otherwise likeable people, “are directly involved and largely responsible for all the major wars of our time.”
That’s because there are other people who will create and foment war to allow them to gain power over people regardless of the cost to others. They are completely selfish.
There’s nothing ironic about it; Geeks are not immune to being selfish. Selfishness promotes war.