What exactly does it take to be a geek in today’s age? Do you need to have an intense love for movies, video games, and all things relating to the Internet? Does it mean you have to know what RAM stands for, and how exactly it affects your computer’s performance?

These ideas conjure up new thoughts that solidify the fact that geek culture has become commonplace. This is a new breed of underground culture turned mainstream, one that is no longer an attempt at sequestering, but more of an induction to brotherhood.

Over the past few decades, the “geek culture,” as it’s called, has become more and more relevant in society. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have created computer empires that produce the technology that we use in our everyday lives. Videogames and comics have reached unprecedented levels of popularity among people, and even websites and television channels specialize in programs covering things that such geeks would enjoy.

As time has passed and society has evolved, the word geek has lost the social stigma it once possessed. For both males and females, being a geek no longer retains the originally negative connotation—instead it is a title that is glamorized and worn proudly.

The very definition of what a geek is has changed over time. Originally it was used to describe a carnival performer who did obscene acts for patrons. Obviously, this isn’t the case today. The thing about being a geek—in a more modern sense—is that this term has been widely used as a way to describe outsiders. The kind of people that defined this particular community took special interest in technology and other seemingly solitary projects.

A somewhat surprising phenomenon to come out of geek culture is the geek chic movement. Also known as a distinct fashion style, this look attempts to glamorize geeky features. Most notably, geek chic is characterized by thick glasses and novelty t-shirts and apparel. Within the last decade, this geeky female ideal has increased in popularity and is quickly becoming the next big trend.

The first depiction that used to come to mind when thinking of geeks was the characters from the 1984 film, “Revenge of the Nerds,” more specifically, the socially awkward pocket-protector-wearing math and computer whiz. However, in today’s society those solitary interests have reached a wider audience and have become more openly discussed.
Unfortunately, the term “geek” has often times been used to brand products that, even as they become more accepted and mainstream, remain bound by the negative image that has been associated with the phrase “geek” in the past.

One example of this is the popularized TV sitcom, “The Big Bang Theory.” Specializing in so-called “geek humor,” the show takes several geek stereotypes through different wacky scenarios while the characters shout out “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” references.
While its popularity is at an all-time high, it unfortunately plays into many of the stereotypes that are often associated with geeks—the socially awkward, math and computer whiz, but sans pocket protectors. In addition to this is the typical male fantasy cliché of where the geek—with all his social awkwardness and quirks—somehow manages to land himself the normal hot chick.

The show’s attempts to portray geeks by having characters shout quotes and recreate iconic scenarios from movies and television comes off as very heavy handed and extremely contrived. While the goal of the show may be to bring their idea of geek culture into the spotlight, they end up doing more harm than good by continuing to portray their characters as stereotypes from a dying notion rather than as members of a continually evolving group.

In today’s age, being a geek is nothing to be ashamed of. Films, comics, television, technology, and to an extent, even society has been influenced by geek culture. In that regard, its influence will only continue to grow and expand the brotherhood for future generations.