Geeks

Geeks are people with intense enthusiasm for specialized interests, particularly in science, technology, or popular culture such as science fiction, fantasy, comics, and video games. The term has been used both as an insult and as a self-identifier, and in recent decades many people have embraced it as a positive label signifying knowledge, curiosity, and community.

Origins of the word date to earlier slang and marginal usage, but its modern sense emerged with the rise of computer hobbyists, gamers, and devoted fans. The growth of personal computing, the internet, and media franchises helped form distinctive geek subcultures centered on shared passions, conventions, and online forums.

Geeks engage in a wide range of activities, including software development, hardware tinkering, open-source collaboration, cosplay, tabletop gaming, anime and comics fandom, and esports. Geek culture often emphasizes deep knowledge, problem solving, collaborative learning, and long-form discussion. It intersects with other identities and subcultures, such as nerds, hackers, and fans of particular franchises, though terminology carries different connotations in different contexts.

Geeks are diverse in age, gender, and background, and attitudes toward being a geek have shifted over time. While stereotypes of social awkwardness persist in some contexts, many geek communities prize inclusivity, mentorship, and public-facing STEM education. The rise of geek-adjacent media has influenced mainstream culture, industry recruitment, and how technology and storytelling are produced and marketed.