Tech geeks
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A tech geek is a socially awkward person whose interest and proficiency is in technology, especially computers. Such people were stigmatized but are now viewed more positively because their expertise may make them successful in business and their competence makes them useful to others by providing technical advice and assistance.[1]
Controversy
Tech geek as a term is increasingly used in the pejorative to suggest:
- elitism
- selfishness
- being out of touch
- disingenuousness
- lacking compassion for other human beings.
This is due to a backlash against them in areas where their presence is becoming burdensome.
Attitudes held by tech geeks have become a subject of public debate. Obnoxious narcissistic exhibitionism by tech geeks, especially the founders of start-ups have been prominent in the media and indeed such coverage is now a daily occurrence.
Many in the high tech industry agree that before the Dot Com bubble, technology professionals were largely harmless docile men, and that the bubble pulled in many with more abrasive personalities as well as crass people for whom "greed is good".
Tech geeks who have been notorious and condemned include Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, both of whose management styles involved yelling at people; the founders of Napster; Nick Starr[2]; Peter Shih[3]; and the recently arrested Motionloft CEO Jon Mills. [4]
References
- ^ a b Tracey Cross (2005), "Nerds and Geeks: Society's Evolving Stereotypes of Our Students With Gifts and Talents" (PDF), Gifted Child Today, Vol. 28 (no. 4): 26–27,
"tech geek" is a common phrase used to describe someone whose passion for technology has made him or her a computer expert
{{citation}}:|number=has extra text (help);|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ Biddle 2014
- ^ Wilkey 2013
- ^ Biddle 2014
Notes
- Biddle,Sam Feb 21, 2014 "Ousted Startup CEO Jon Mills Facing 20 Years in Prison for Fraud",ValleyWag
- Wilkey, Robin (2013), "Peter Shih '10 Things I Hate About You' Post Draws San Francisco's Ire, Confirms Startup Stereotypes",Huffington Post
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