jj5 wrote:A real geek defines their sense of worth around how clever they are. They want to be the smartest and when they are they want you to know it. If you rub their tummy and tell them how clever they are, they'll do *anything* for you. If they won't do something for you, then tell them that someone else would be able to do it. If you don't tell them how clever they are, THEY WILL TELL YOU. A geek will not lie down in the face of people just like them. They *, and whine and try to get to the top of the "everyone thinks I'm the smartest" heap. To the 'normal' person, this is cute, but it is this raw motivation that keeps the common geek awake until 2am trying to figure out [insert whatever your working on here]. They just need everyone to know they are the best (it's probably a phycological 'problem', but it tends to get results).
I don't have a problem with the gist of what you are saying here, but I take exception to you defining "geek" this way. I consider myself and uber-geek, but I honestly do not care one bit whether I am, or am perceived to be, clever. I don't want to be "the smartest" (I know I'll never be) and I rarely am motivated by someone telling me someone is doing something more clever than I am.
I enjoy technology for technology's sake. I enjoy learning about technology. And I enjoy helping other people learn and benefit from what I've learned. I get a thrill out of talking with others about cool technology. To me, that's geek-ethic.
I think you're talking about the "prima dona" or something. But not geeks in general.
-cek (www.kindel.com/blogs/charlie)
