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Why Do Other Geeks Leave the House?
JG_Elliott asks: "Being a geek getting more and more frustrated with shopping trips, I've turned to the internet to buy things to save time and effort. This made me wonder, other than leaving the house for work/lectures/school, why do other geeks leave the house? What is in the big wide-world that you can't get online (other than real sex)? What do other geeks get up to in their spare time, that they recommend, as something to do out of the house?"
Life is out there.
Because, quite frankly, you can't get decent produce by sending somebody else to get it.
This sig no verb.
I know this is another April Fools Day post, but I'm going to bite anyway.
Human Intereaction. Way to many people are allowin IM, forums, or similar means to replace the simple act of dealing with your fellow human beings. The internet merely presents the illusion of communication. All you get is the words. The emotions, the non-verbals, the subtext of it all is lost.
While your low slashdot number, your beowulf cluster, and your collection of Star Wars action figures can provide a lot of enjoyment, ultimately you are depriving yourself of life by living everything around the "Geek subculture."
It's easy to hide behind elitism, Aspergers, or whatever excuse you want to make up for why you avoid people, but the truth is that the meaning of life is found in other people.
I was once a hard core geek, and for a long time I thought I was happy, and better than the common masses. But since I forced myself to get over my unease, get out and meet new people and engage in "normal" activities, I have become a much happier person. It doesn't mean I don't kick back with a good video game, or experiment with robotics, or any other geek hobbies from time to time, just that I've found much more happiness through a balanced life.
I like to shop because it takes me out of the house, and out of Geekdom for a while. I also like being able to see and touch things before I plunk down my hard-earned.
:-).
I find that a bit of human contact, even if it's saying hi to the cheerful checker at Gelson's, leaves me reenergised and ready to take on new items back in the Geek Castle
Besides, how could I check out the latest Apple stuff without visiting the Apple Store?
D
What is in the big wide-world that you can't get online[...]
Well, sunshine and fresh air come to mind.
You'll also find there's far more opportunity to expand your horizons out in the "big wide-world" than there will be within your residence.
All opinions presented here aren't mine.
One, fresh vegatables at the local farmers market, and two, basics like milk and eggs.
"Your having a bad day when the voices in your head put you on hold"
Taking photographs. Walking to the riverside and watching swans. To feel the sun shining, wind blowing. For going to the pub and having a couple of pints of warm ale. To go and lay down on the grass in the park and read a good book. For fun and joy.
While video games are fun there are other fun activities that can be had. In the summer I like to go for a walk at the beach or just drive around. Playing some basketball or tenist also requires getting out of the house. Also, being locked up in your house 24/7 will surely make you go insane.
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One is born into aristocracy, but mediocrity can only be achieved through hard work.
Go to your local coffee shop and relax with a cup of java. Then do one of the following, depending on who you are:
1. Feel good about yourself as you observe the fact that you are not like the other complete losers who frequent coffee shops because they have no life, no job, and have nothing but superficial "friends" and juvenile dramas. Then go home and truly appreciate it.
2. Revel in the fact that all your friends are there and enjoy the sense of community and belongingness that comes from being just like everyone else while you enjoy your Starbucks coffee which you think is just the pinnacle of fine coffee enjoyment. Then go home and be patheticaly depressed.
-- Senior Software Engineer, Attorney appearance services, locallawyerapp.com.
Sunlight.
Wind.
Clouds.
Sounds of Nature.
The last time I was at peace with the universe was a week I spent backpacking in the wilderness. In some ways it was like being at home (i.e. sleeping alone, almost no human interaction), but the only electronic device I had on me (or within a few days' hike) was my camera. No TV, no computer, no PDA, no phone, no pager, no radio, not even a watch... nada. Just me, the trails, the moose, the lakes, the wolf tracks, and the stars.
http://alternatives.rzero.com/
Nope, and when we do you're lucky if we bother to shower for you.
When you are content enough working on your own things and have the capabilities to keep yourself sustained and even well-off from the Internet, the concerns about the rest of the world seem like an after-thought.
--One word that helps me to retain my fragile sanity in a sea of economic madness:
Motorcycling.
--If you think you might enjoy it, take a safety course to get your license. It is *definitely* worth the training.
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== WolfriderV6 == I'm willing to admit that *I just might* be wrong... Are you??
Go to the movies. (I work there, so I get in free.) I LOVE movies. Also, this includes my date.
Seeing my girlfriend in general. Pretty weird for a geek to have a girlfriend, eh?
Radiohead concerts. Concerts in general though.
Hanging out with friends
Besides this, I stay at home programming/hacking/playing video games/talking online/talking on the phone/social engineering/etc.
"Instant gratification takes too long." - Carrie Fisher
The "unmentioned apocalypse" was really just the end result of the Bush Administration.