Being Geek Chic is a blog for stylish geeks, sophisticated nerds and people who enjoy the musings of a complete dork. Join us as we dream of driving the TARDIS, cuddle with our eBooks and test out an iPad sleeve. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi and a team of brilliant lady nerds. Meet the team.
Last week I had the distinct pleasure of talking with a reporter about women who embrace their geekiness. And while you and I both know that we aren’t really a trend or temporary fad, the world does seem to be taking notice of our existence recently, both in good and bad ways. One of the totally innocent, but fascinating questions this reporter asked was: do you ever feel ashamed of your geekdom?
And the truth is, No. I never, ever have. And perhaps it’s because I’ve been very fortunate. Sure, I was made fun of in Middle School, because I was the Hermione Granger of the class before I knew that I was. I was smart. I was vocal. And I was excited about learning. From a young age, I so resented the idea that I was somehow a weirdo for being engaged in what I was supposed to be engaged in. Perhaps I’ve taken a lot of that with me as I’ve grown up. Just as it wouldn’t have crossed my mind as a 14 year old girl to be ashamed of my intellectual pursuits, it wouldn’t strike me now to feel any amount of embarrassment about my lifestyle as an adult nerd.
Are we born nerds? Or do we learn it? Are we pre-disposed to our geekdom? I’m essentially proposing the nature vs. nurture of geek DNA questions right now. Either way, there is no reason to feel shame.
Everything about life is an evolution. Whether it’s how we perceive ourselves or how others see us, we aren’t born as geeks straight out of the womb. I have yet to hear of a single news report of a baby’s first words being: Live Long and Prosper. (Although, if that does happen, people, you need to let me know!)
The truth is that we start to take on our passions over our lifetimes through the influence of our family, friends, media and culture. All of our being, and specifically our interests, are made up of a perfect equation: time plus influence.
Neither of my parents would categorize themselves as geeks. My mom is the outdoorsy type with a love of news, healthy eating and old western movies. My dad is a perfect confluence of Italian-American stereotypes: fully devoted to his football team and his church, with a dash of passion for his pets too. Despite this, whether or not my parents realize it, they probably contributed more than anyone to my formation as a geek. My mom made us spend at least one afternoon every week at the library, which meant both my brother and I read voraciously. My dad’s parents introduced him to the Nintendo, which in turn meant we had to get a Nintendo. And of course, who could forget the fact that my dad spent a hefty portion of my childhood recreating my favorite movies in parade float format. One of my dad’s girlfriends insisted on getting a computer in the mid-90s and so, well, INTERNET! Throw in a few years of bullying and well, you’re almost certain to become a full-blown nerd.
So no, I’m not ashamed that I became this. In fact, I’m quite proud. Because as I told the reporter: there’s not a single part of my life that hasn’t been improved because I decided to embrace my nerdy tendencies.
For Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d celebrate my favorite fashion accessory: spectacles!
Thanks to my pal Kristin from Style Pistol for modeling so many pairs of glasses!
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
Want to remember how frustratingly stupid high school was for the nerd in class (ahem, me)? Need affirmation that being a geek is treated like a disease in Hollywood? Then read the description for Disney’s next movie, Geek Charming:
Dylan Shoenfield is the pink princess of the upscale Los Angeles Woodlands Academy. She has the coolest boyfriend, the most popular friends, and a brand-new it bag that everyone covets. But when she accidentally tosses her Serge Sanchez bag into a fountain, this princess comes face-to-face with her own personal frog, self-professed film geek Josh Rosen. In return for rescuing Dylans bag, Josh convinces Dylan to let him film her for his documentary on high school popularity. Reluctantly, Dylan lets F-list Josh into her A-list world, and is shocked to realize that sometimes nerds can be pretty cool. But when Dylans so-called prince charming of a boyfriend dumps her flat, her life and her social status comes to a crashing halt. Can Dylan win the Woodlands Academy Fall Formal Leaf Queen crown? Can Josh win the Woodlands Academy 10th Annual Film Festival? Can Dylan, with Joshs help, pull the pieces together to create her own happily-ever-after?
Really, nerds can be cool? Who would have thought? Apparently, this was a book too.
Let’s hope this “comedy” releasing Nov. 11th sells very few tickets.
“Nerds like us are allowed to be unironically enthusiastic about stuff. We don’t have to be like, ‘Oh, that purse is okay’, or like ‘Yeah, I like that band’s early stuff.’ Nerds are allowed to LOVE stuff. Like, jump up and down in your chair, can’t control yourself LOVE IT. Hank, when people call people nerds, mostly what they’re saying is ‘you like stuff.’ Which is just not a good insult at all. Like, ‘You are too enthusiastic about the miracle of human consciousness.’”
~ John Green (via abodycomingthroughtherye)
(via masterbasterd)
