The Modern Geek - Changing the Stereotype

The day of duck-taped glasses, suspenders and pocket-protectors are quickly fading away. It's getting harder to pick the geeks out of the crowd.

Welcome to the day of the modern geek where the technically savvy not only embody intelligence but display an elegant blend of style and personality. They are less likely to be found at the bottom of the social ladder but influential in the lives of millions by their very thoughts alone. They are more likely to design, develop and maintain the systems that impact the quality of life for so many.

For some, the choices of runway model, professional athlete or pop singer were serious ones but the fascination with technology drives them to choose another path; these are the modern geeks. They are hidden among the masses, only identifiable by the technology they carry buried amid their designer suits and attaché cases. The blackberry on their belt serving as a phone and providing access to all emails, the internet, contact info and more. The portable music player in the shirt pocket that they use more as a backup disk than for music. An attaché case enclosing a laptop so powerful the acronyms to describe it exist only in the world of geek speak. A brain so thirsty for knowledge it consumes all information in the vicinity only to hunger for more.

This is the modern geek. They enjoy sports but only on their HI-Definition TV. They dominate in their basketball league but only after selecting the perfect sneakers to maximize the effectiveness of their go-to move. They are the teenagers who setup the parental controls for their mom and dad. They have parties to celebrate turning 5 years old and for gifts, ask for computer products by name.

The modern geek is everywhere and with each new generation and the progression of science and technology, they are growing to be the majority and will someday be commonplace.

As for me, I still keep a pair of tapped up glasses on my mantel for old time's sake.

Brendan is Editor-in-Chief of the My Geek in the House Magazine. The magazine focuses on living with the modern techie. Visit http://www.mygeekinthehouse.com for articles, polls and discussion boards or you may contact me at brendan@mygeekinthehouse.com

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