Lost... and finally found again.

[kickaha]

One of those things that really needs to be passed around more often. I was quite disappointed when it was no longer showing up at the old URL, but I'm very glad to see that someone else archived it so I can bookmark it again. :)

Five Geek Social Fallacies

Unfortunately, it's not limited to just geeks. #4 seems to be the one with the widest distribution... which is sad, since it's probably the one most people grow out of first.

Happy Emotional Codependence Day, everyone! :D

Comments

[franktheavenger.livejournal.com]

Those aren't 'fallacies,' they're signs of someone that needs the acceptance of others to have any kind of self-worth, IE signs of an emotionally undeveloped personality. Pathological.

[georgmi.livejournal.com]

it's not limited to just geeks

I would counter that assertion with one of my own: At some level, on at least one topic, *everyone* is a geek. Everyone has something, whether it's Scripture or anime or regex, where their interest level rises to the point of compulsion, if not obsession, and when someone finds a group that shares said interest, a feedback cycle begins.

All of the GSFs listed come down to grouping dynamics. The need to belong, and particularly the need to identify those who do *not* belong (and make up reasons to exclude if they do not present themselves immediately), is hard-coded into our genes and reinforced by our socialization. It's why the EEP was such a transforming experience for most of us, and it's probably why the "classic" geek, who's probably as an adult working on their first "belonging" group after a lifetime of "excluding" groups, is particularly prone to such behaviors--that and it's the "classic" geek who is most likely to be able to detach and observe these phenomena somewhat objectively. Outgrowing these behaviors requires inclusion in a group and experiencing the negative consequences thereof.

Me, I'm a human behavior geek. This afternoon. :) I was surprised in Paris to discover that apparently, I'm still a Scripture geek--I found myself expounding at great, and I am certain boring, length about the stories behind many of the religious works of art on display in the Louvre. Saw one painting from across the room and said, "Hey, that's the Pentecost!" with actual excitement.