Evolution of the Geeks Essay -- Essays Papers

Evolution of the GeeksIn the past 20th century, the countersign type has evolved into many different meanings. The term branched off to take a person with low social skills, often with high intelligence, a person highly interested in computer technology, and a person with a devotion to something that places him or her outside of the mainstream. Geek usually has negative connotations within popular culture, where being a geek tends to be an insult. The term can withal be a badge of honor among subcultures, such as the know-it-all of Star Trek.Media dictates popular culture. The television sitcoms Ive watched growing up all displayed who is the pigeonhole for a geek. Steve Urkel from Family Matters, Screech from Saved By The Bell, Ross from Friends are some examples. All are viewed as highly intelligent and with low social skills. Yet the word is still evolving and currently is accepted as an honor. Examples of cool geeks of the 21st century are hobbits from Lord of the Rings, Har ry Potter, Seth Cohen from The O.C, and Napoleon Dynamite. The consensus of the word geek by the media shapes the societys minds of what is perceived to be true.The term stereotype is usually referred to be a term of abuse. It gives society a short cut to report and categorize people. The word also evokes a consensus among all of society. According to the Oxford English Dictionary Online, the word geek was introduced as the lowest of carnival performers, often displaying acts of swallowing follow animals. It evolved in the 20th century to represent a person who is highly intelligent yet lacks the ability to socialize. This representation inflicts psychological and social behaviors that often conceptualise geeks as outcasts and victim to abuse from the ... ... taped-up glasses, the 21st century is welcoming the geek to the mainstream. Geeks are adorable, relatable, and provide comic relief. With the following of Harry Potter fans and quirky geek icons such as Napoleon Dynamite, t he geek of today is the ultimate cool. Now geeks put the pop in pop culture. Works CitedLester, Paul M., ed. Images That Injure brilliant Stereotypes in the Media. Westport Praeger Publishers, 1996.Long, Tom. Great geek portrayals save Dynamite from its clichs. Rev. of Napoleon Dynamite, by Jared Hess. The Detroit News on the Web 2 July 2004. 20 October 2004 http//www.detnews.com/2004/screens/0407/07/e01-201089.htm.Oxford English Dictionary Online. .Soergel, Matt. come back OF THE NERDS Geeks are the coolest things in movies this summer. Florida Times Union 28 Jul. 2004, city ed., c-1.