Computer geek
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 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
A “Geek” is somebody who is passionate to the point of obsession about a specific interest. Originally, it was a rather derogatory term, but more recently has become the name given to a whole community of fanatics. Also related: nerd, otaku, hardcore gamer...
Computer Geeks
Computer geek is the most commonly known derivative of the term "geek", meaning those who cannot live without their computers. The phrase was rather offensive when originally coined, it is now quite neutral. The computer is the foundation of the computer geek, the Internet being the centre of his or her life. The geek cannot cope with any situation without Google, AltaVista or Bittorrent and or eMule. The geek is a computer addict, and loves everything that can be related to the computer. Daily, the geek will consult dozens of sites dealing with news about computer sciences, and will be registered on a huge number of forums, etc. The geek can sort out nearly every problem with their computer. At the university, the computer geek is very advanced in the use of the computer, compared to fellow students. Not antisocial, but because of this “monomania”, the geek's social life is quite limited.
The Geek's Dilemma
The life of a computer geek is divided in two parts:
“On-line life”, where he or she is referred to by their username and known through the image chosen as avatar (in the forums), or the character created for online Role Playing Games...
… and “Real Life”, or IRL (in real life). Most of the time, these facets of the same person are very different. Both of them can meet, during the "IRL meetings". On-line life is a chance for many geeks lacking self-confidence to emulate their idols. Complete affinity with the computer can confuse the geek into identifying completely as a virtual person and never developing their "real" life
L337
Leet was first used by hackers in the early bulletin board systems of the Internet, as a way to mask illegal file transferring by fooling filters looking for specific words. It became adopted by geeks in general, although it became unpopular among them and is now frowned upon by hackers, geeks and nerds alike, who dismiss it as "AOL Speak".
Leet is not in fact an entirely new language, it is mostly only a form of alphabet, although as it evolved it has increasingly acquired misspellings and other quirks.
Leet (or 1337) is derived from the word "Elite". The alphabet works using typographical similarities. Like so:- A = 4
E = 3
I= 1
O= 0
S= 5
T= 7
B= 8
The other letters can be typed in a more specific way, which cannot be read by an “Outsider”:-
K = |<
L= |_
J= _|
M= |\/|
etc.
The "Geek Syndrome"
On December 9th 2001, an article by Steve Silberman in Wired: The Geek Syndrome announced a high occurrence of autism and Asperger Syndrome amongst the children of computer scientists in Silicon Valley (USA). The article had a great impact in the world of research in psychiatry.