Geek, Defined

I was reading this blog about geeks.  It discussed what geeks have in common with each other.  Her conclusion was what geeks, who love a variety of things (she lists: "science fiction, fantasy, video and tabletop games, comic books, science, technology, and math"), have in common is their attention to details.  They like the minutia of things, and delve deeper into their interests. 

I disagree, mostly because I don't see that in myself.  Sure, I can be pretty detailed or focus on minor points, or make sure that I know as much as possible about an interest (ahem, Firefly...), but I'm not all that interested in the minutia of most of my passions.  Heck, I'm not even watching The Clone Wars! 

What I see as the binding component is our passion.  Or passion for something.  And that we follow this passion unabashedly, unapologetically, and without reserve. 

I can't decide if that needs an addendum, though. Must the thing that a geek like not be adored by the general public?  I mean, people swoon over Justin Beiber.  Does that make them a kind of geek?  Is loving Twilight a "geek" thing?  Harry Potter?  The Hunger Games?  I'm not sure.  May be all that defines a geek is our fanaticism, regardless of the topic.  I mean, are high school drama geeks really stereotypic "geeks?"  Or are they just interested (obsessed) by theater?  May be it just so happens that many geeks tend to love nerdy* things, and that's why the term geek now covers the love of many of these things.  Unlike the original blog, I don't think "geek" and "nerd" are interchangeable.  To me, geeks are into sciencey, sci-fi, superhero stuff, but incredibly so, while nerds are into learning and thinking.  

As I think about what defines a geek, though, I'm starting to see how the passion component must involve the thinking component that I tend to apply to nerds.  Geeks use their brain about their passion.  That might make the difference between someone with Beiber Fever, and a Scooby (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer fan).  That would definitely, in my opinion, put Twilight into the fluffy fan category, while HP and THG probably garner their fanatical base because they have messages, messages about friendship, sacrifice, and activism.  Plus, cool visuals and a rollicking plot.  Drama geeks, I assume, thought about their art.  I can't say the same about athletes; they weren't called "basketball geeks" for a reason, right?

The characteristic of social awkward is often attributed to geeks.  Not without reason, I grant you.  May be one of the parallels of being obsessed with your thing is social awkwardness.  May be being socially awkward means that you don't realize how far off of center your passion makes you?  

In sum, I believed that geeks are defined by their obvious passion for a topic, but this blog has helped me understand that it isn't just passion that makes a geek.  Geeks often think about what they're passionate about.  So may be I don't disagree as much with The Mary Sue blog as I thought...