Myth of the fake geek girl.

Data Holmes · November 19 2012, 03:12 AM

http://m.io9.com/5960885/the-myth-of...g=open-channel

Presents an interesting reason for the very vocal attacks against women/girls in many online "geek" communities of late.

kolibri · November 19 2012, 05:00 AM

The John Scalzi article someone linked to in the comments is also really worth reading.

I really can't see anyone who's desperate to make "geekdom" so exclusive as anything but a hipster. And does anyone at all give a shit about hipster's opinions?

Discussions about "girl geeks" annoy the crap out of me. I don't want to be singled out for having a vagina. I just want to be left alone and free to pursue my interests in Star Trek or whatever like everyone with a dick is. That's it.

RoJoHen · November 19 2012, 05:01 AM

You know, I read the article, and I don't even understand what the argument is. It seems like the author is more upset about the definition of the word "geek" than anything.

slackbladder · November 19 2012, 05:29 AM

they deserve it.

Hound of UIster · November 19 2012, 05:44 AM

RoJoHen wrote:

You know, I read the article, and I don't even understand what the argument is. It seems like the author is more upset about the definition of the word "geek" than anything.

Io9 is part of the gawker media empire. they have a vested interest in trying to milk as much money as possible out of nerd rage.

Grey · November 19 2012, 06:28 AM

kolibri wrote:

Discussions about "girl geeks" annoy the crap out of me. I don't want to be singled out for having a vagina. I just want to be left alone and free to pursue my interests in Star Trek or whatever like everyone with a dick is. That's it.

Quoted for emphasis.

sidious618 · November 19 2012, 07:31 AM

slackbladder wrote:

they deserve it.

Excellent analysis, my dear boy!

thestrangequark · November 19 2012, 07:13 PM

I'm so glad I read this. As a Real Geek Girl I had no idea I was supposed to be outraged.

Nerys Ghemor · November 19 2012, 08:02 PM

What I get from this is not anything wrong with geeks who happen to be girls--but rather just how insecure so many men are in their sexuality (or perhaps more accurately, insecure about others' perceptions of their sexuality). It is not perceived, in our society, as degrading the femininity of women for them to have "masculine" interests. But for a man to have any interest that happens to overlap with those of a woman...society immediately starts throwing around sexual slurs as though a) that guy can't be straight and b) if he isn't there's something wrong with him.

(Yeah, I know there are sometimes instances where women will get the same treatment, being accused of being lesbians because of "masculine" interests. But as a whole, I would say women are much less hung up about their sexuality, and more secure in it and accepting of others--whether gay or straight--than men.)

Add to that that you have more than a fair share of those who are generally insecure or immature socially, in the geek community, and it's not surprising to think that some of those insecure men would react as though it's territorial encroachment, for a woman to hold a combination of "geek" interests and "stereotypically female" interests.

J. Allen · November 19 2012, 08:09 PM

The author seems to create boxes and labels in the first portion of her essay, and then laments the creation of boxes and labels by the conclusion of her essay.

thestrangequark wrote:

I'm so glad I read this. As a Real Geek Girl I had no idea I was supposed to be outraged.

That, too. She talks about how the guys have to protect, almost ruthlessly, some modicum of masculinity, but I'm not seeing that anywhere. I guess you're supposed to be outraged, and I'm supposed to be desperately masculine? Honestly, I'm not sure what the author is trying to say here.

RoJoHen · November 19 2012, 08:11 PM

J. Allen wrote:

Honestly, I'm not sure what the author is trying to say here.

Exactly. I feel like there is some huge backstory that I'm missing.

I always thought guys liked geek girls. Especially hot ones with glasses.

thestrangequark · November 19 2012, 08:12 PM

It was all worth the fact that I have now added "desperately masculin" to my personal phrasebook.

doubleohfive · November 19 2012, 10:02 PM

Not that he needed it, but Scalzi's reply wins if only for the Lord of the Flies reference alone. Well said.

J. Allen · November 19 2012, 10:12 PM

RoJoHen wrote:

J. Allen wrote:

Honestly, I'm not sure what the author is trying to say here.

Exactly. I feel like there is some huge backstory that I'm missing.

I always thought guys liked geek girls. Especially hot ones with glasses.

Yeah. Not to be disgusting, but most of the geeks I know salivate at the prospect of a girlfriend who loves comics, sci-fi, and fantasy like they do. It's practically a match made in heaven!

thestrangequark wrote:

It was all worth the fact that I have now added "desperately masculin" to my personal phrasebook.

I live to serve.

M'Sharak · November 19 2012, 11:14 PM

Jemma Salume wins 'Best Commentary' on the latest "Fake Geek Girl" controversy.

November 19 2012, 03:12 AM	#1
Data Holmes Admiral Location: Elitist Social Darwinist	Myth of the fake geek girl. http://m.io9.com/5960885/the-myth-of...g=open-channel Presents an interesting reason for the very vocal attacks against women/girls in many online "geek" communities of late. __________________ Only solitary men know the full joys of friendship. Others have their family; but to a solitary and an exile his friends are everything. -Willa Cather SHADOWS ON THE ROCK

November 19 2012, 05:00 AM	#2
kolibri Lieutenant Commander	Re: Myth of the fake geek girl. The John Scalzi article someone linked to in the comments is also really worth reading. I really can't see anyone who's desperate to make "geekdom" so exclusive as anything but a hipster. And does anyone at all give a shit about hipster's opinions? Discussions about "girl geeks" annoy the crap out of me. I don't want to be singled out for having a vagina. I just want to be left alone and free to pursue my interests in Star Trek or whatever like everyone with a dick is. That's it.

November 19 2012, 05:01 AM	#3
RoJoHen Awesome Location: Wherever life takes me	Re: Myth of the fake geek girl. You know, I read the article, and I don't even understand what the argument is. It seems like the author is more upset about the definition of the word "geek" than anything. __________________ I am the Quintessential Admiral. Get ready to grow your EQUINOX BEARD!

November 19 2012, 05:29 AM	#4
slackbladder Lieutenant Junior Grade	Re: Myth of the fake geek girl. they deserve it.

November 19 2012, 07:13 PM	#8
thestrangequark Vice Admiral Location: Brooklyn!	Re: Myth of the fake geek girl. I'm so glad I read this. As a Real Geek Girl I had no idea I was supposed to be outraged. __________________ "I wish I had two hearts I could follow." View my art!

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

November 19 2012, 08:02 PM	#9
Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Location: Cardăsa Terăm--Nerys Ghemor	Re: Myth of the fake geek girl. What I get from this is not anything wrong with geeks who happen to be girls--but rather just how insecure so many men are in their sexuality (or perhaps more accurately, insecure about others' perceptions of their sexuality). It is not perceived, in our society, as degrading the femininity of women for them to have "masculine" interests. But for a man to have any interest that happens to overlap with those of a woman...society immediately starts throwing around sexual slurs as though a) that guy can't be straight and b) if he isn't there's something wrong with him. (Yeah, I know there are sometimes instances where women will get the same treatment, being accused of being lesbians because of "masculine" interests. But as a whole, I would say women are much less hung up about their sexuality, and more secure in it and accepting of others--whether gay or straight--than men.) Add to that that you have more than a fair share of those who are generally insecure or immature socially, in the geek community, and it's not surprising to think that some of those insecure men would react as though it's territorial encroachment, for a woman to hold a combination of "geek" interests and "stereotypically female" interests. __________________ Are you a Cardassian fan, citizen? Prove your loyalty--check out my fanfic universe, Star Trek: Sigils and Unions. Or keep the faith on my AU Cardassia, Sigils and Unions: Catacombs of Oralius!

November 19 2012, 08:12 PM	#12
thestrangequark Vice Admiral Location: Brooklyn!	Re: Myth of the fake geek girl. It was all worth the fact that I have now added "desperately masculin" to my personal phrasebook. __________________ "I wish I had two hearts I could follow." View my art!

November 19 2012, 10:02 PM	#13
doubleohfive Fleet Admiral Location: Los Angeles, CA	Re: Myth of the fake geek girl. Not that he needed it, but Scalzi's reply wins if only for the Lord of the Flies reference alone. Well said. __________________ "I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: "O Lord make my enemies ridiculous." And God granted it." -Voltaire

November 19 2012, 11:14 PM	#15
M'Sharak Definitely Herbert. Maybe. Location: Terra Inlandia	Re: Myth of the fake geek girl. Jemma Salume wins 'Best Commentary' on the latest "Fake Geek Girl" controversy. __________________ I have long felt that any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel or a play or a poem is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae or a banana split. — Kurt Vonnegut