# how do I find the \*cool\* geeks? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 15, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833 "2003-01-15T22:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/21 "2003-01-16T21:44:14Z")
You could always attend one of the SDMB get togethers, you’re bound to find many geeks there. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/22 "2003-01-16T21:55:36Z")
Geek culture varies regionally. Some of the habits you find most irritating about your new compatriots might just be the “in” thing there. If they found themself suddenly transported to your former milieu, they’d probably find some of your friends’ customs a bit grating, too. You might get used to them over time. Anyway, hanging out with geeks is the best/only way to make contact with the various geek sub-cliques. Good luck finding one whose company you enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/23 "2003-01-16T22:03:16Z")
Geek culture varies regionally. Some of the habits you find most irritating about your new compatriots might just be the “in” thing there. If they found themself suddenly transported to your former milieu, they’d probably find some of your friends’ customs a bit grating, too. You might get used to them over time. Anyway, hanging out with geeks is the best/only way to make contact with the various geek sub-cliques. Good luck finding one whose company you enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/24 "2003-01-16T22:08:12Z")
Does your new school have any student groups for honors students or scholarship winners? That’s where I found my cool geek friends. (If you weren’t an honor student or scholarship winner, it didn’t really matter–the rules for being a registered student group at my school required you to basically let anyone into your group who wanted to join.) My husband found the gaming clubs at our school too hardcore as well, and had better luck forming his own D&D group with people who lived on his floor in the dorms. ---
**Author:** ![agentfroot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@agentfroot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agentfroot)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/25 "2003-01-17T02:06:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ryan\_Liam \* > \*\*Is there any cool geek girls my age on this board (I’m 17) \*\* ME! I’m 19 and quite geeky! Yeah! Geeks rule! _ahem_ sorry, just got back from fencing practice and the adrenaline is still flowing… ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/26 "2003-01-17T02:22:30Z")
Step 1: Determine where you rank on [this](http://www.brunching.com/geekhierarchy.html) list. Step 2: Find someone higher, make friends with them. ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/27 "2003-01-17T03:06:25Z")
Sad to say, most of that chart is higher than me. ---
**Author:** ![phlebert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phlebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phlebert)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/28 "2003-01-17T03:54:02Z")
Even sadder… I am soooo all over that chart! Now I have to meet a published author of scifi or I am doomed to be geekier than myself forever.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![king\_of\_spain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7cd45c/32.png) [@king\_of\_spain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/king_of_spain)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/29 "2003-01-17T05:00:01Z")
Wow, lots of responses! Thanks, guys. 🙂 To clarify, I’m friendly with some ‘mundane’ types, I just miss having people to geek out with, too. Corrupting some of them sounds like an intriguing project, though. Now…(1) how shall I identify the kind of normal person with high geekhood potential? And (2) what’s the best strategy to pursue for converting them? > [@](#): > > Sometimes it’s easier to degeek a geek (or coolify a geek?) than vice versa. At least you know the geek won’t lose interest after a while. I’m less sure about this…is there really a _nice_ way to de-geek a geek? I mean, without coming off as patronizing and all? It’s not like there’s anything wrong with the all-Blackadder quote conversations, after all, it’s just not _my_ thing. > [@](#): > > Did you say Babylon 5? HOORAY! I thought I was the only one, thank God! (Mind me asking?) Whats you favourite Episode? Heh, I didn’t think B5heads were that uncommon…I like the mid-3rd season arc a lot, Messages from Earth / Point of No Return / Severed Dreams. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/30 "2003-01-17T07:12:51Z")
**Ryan** , I’m a cool geek girl of 19. However, I’m spoken for. We cool geek girls go just like _that_. ::snaps fingers:: ---
**Author:** ![crinklebat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@crinklebat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crinklebat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/31 "2003-01-17T08:02:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ryan\_Liam \* > \*\*Is there any cool geek girls my age on this board (I’m 17) \*\* I am a female cool geek, seventeen years of age. Pleased to meet you. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/32 "2003-01-17T13:05:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by king of spain \* > \*\*I’m less sure about this…is there really a _nice_ way to de-geek a geek? I mean, without coming off as patronizing and all? It’s not like there’s anything wrong with the all-Blackadder quote conversations, after all, it’s just not _my_ thing. > \*\* Depends on how you go about it. A lot of geeks just need to be aired out a bit–you don’t have to make it a full time “project” or anything like that. 🙂 Nothing like one of those 80’s teen exploitation films where you do a full make over… _shudder_ Since they tend to be fairly smart and curious, it’s not too hard to introduce them to other hobbies and/or the joys of alcohol consumption… ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/33 "2003-01-17T15:04:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by crinklebat \* > \*\*I am a female cool geek, seventeen years of age. Pleased to meet you. \*\* Hi, what Sci-fi do you like? ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/34 "2003-01-17T15:07:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by king of spain \* > \*\* > Heh, I didn’t think B5heads were that uncommon…I like the mid-3rd season arc a lot, Messages from Earth / Point of No Return / Severed Dreams. \*\* I like \*Messages from Earth and Severed Dreams \* also Episode one from season two. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/35 "2003-01-17T15:10:31Z")
To the 19 year-old geeks, hey what sort of ‘geeky stuff’ do you like? ---
**Author:** ![agentfroot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@agentfroot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agentfroot)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/36 "2003-01-17T15:19:38Z")
rpgs (i haven’t played many yet, but they’re great), some anime, fantasy stuff, computer games, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/37 "2003-01-17T15:25:58Z")
I find some anmie quite interesting, I used to watch it on Sci-fi, I’ve seen one where this world war one ace has a pigs head, and must amend his ways to turn back to a normal Human. What was it called? does anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/38 "2003-01-17T17:31:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by king of spain \* > \*\*To clarify, I’m friendly with some ‘mundane’ types, I just miss having people to geek out with, too. Corrupting some of them sounds like an intriguing project, though. Now…(1) how shall I identify the kind of normal person with high geekhood potential? And (2) what’s the best strategy to pursue for converting them? > \*\* One step at a time. For instance, if you’re ever hanging around your apartment/dorm room some evening, pop in an MST3K tape. Don’t rave about it, just ask if they’ve seen it and say that it’s pretty funny. If it doesn’t click with anyone, turn it off and wait for the next opportunity. Most non-geek people will find at least one or two geeky things fun. The key is to give the impression that you are just probing for common interest, not attempting conversion. These efforts will probably go much more smoothly with alcohol. \*\* > [@](#): > > I’m less sure about this…is there really a _nice_ way to de-geek a geek? I mean, without coming off as patronizing and all? It’s not like there’s anything wrong with the all-Blackadder quote conversations, after all, it’s just not _my_ thing.\*\* I agree. It’s much easier to get someone interested in something new than to get them to stop constantly talking about something they’re currently interested in. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/39 "2003-01-17T20:24:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ryan\_Liam \* > \*\*I find some anmie quite interesting, I used to watch it on Sci-fi, I’ve seen one where this world war one ace has a pigs head, and must amend his ways to turn back to a normal Human. > What was it called? does anyone know? \*\* El Porco Rosso, also known Kurenai no Buta. That’s not quite the plot (not that there’s much of a plot), though. Great movie–easily one of my favorite anime of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833/40 "2003-01-17T20:31:25Z")
good aint it. I like it when he sees all those planes going towards heaven. That was the best scene. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-the-cool-geeks/148833.md?page=3)