Gaiman and Whedon Discuss the Rise of the Geek

CABridges writes "In a lengthy Time Magazine interview, Neil Gaiman ("Sandman," "American Gods") and Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Firefly") talk about their audience. Gaiman: "Mostly they're people. They're us. That's what they look like." Whedon: "They're a lot more attractive than I am, actually, which kind of disturbs and upsets me." Both men, known for their cult-favorite creations, have movies debuting this Friday. For Gaiman it's MirrorMask, for Whedon it's Serenity."

Comments

its all about the money

[peter303]

Geeks are attractive when they have big wallet bulges. Now that a few internet stocks have revived, especially the Google monster, geeks are in fashion again.

Re:its all about the money

[__aanebg9627]

No, it's about a shift in power. Geek skills are a critical part of the modern information society. We geeks/nerds have created a new kind of social structure, in open source, something that competes with the business enterprise and the state. People with geek/nerd talents are essential for most modern businesses, just as a vibrant business community is essential for a healthy nation-state. This power shift trickles down into societal attitudes: kids don't tinker on cars, they mod their computers. Small talk at parties is about your computer gear, instead of cars. Our pursuits are adopted more and more by the world, our films and books sell - much to the bafflement and disdain of the guardians of old bourgouis culture. (Every read a NYT review of one of the Tolkien films?)

It's not about the money, it's the power that can get the status. Just as money could buy a noble title -- and status -- for the banker Rothschild in 1816, more and more, geeks can turn their tech knowledge into money and traditional measures of status.

The Rise of the Geeks

[Dark Paladin]

lately, I've been wondering why this is. It seems that "geek hood" is actually approaching a phenomenon. When people ask me what I do for a living, I'll usually give them a grin and say "Oh, I'm a professional geek". To which I usually get the response:

"Oh? What kind?"

Not a look of disdain that those growing up before, say, the 1990's might have received. Part of this I think it because of the dot-com boom (and bust): people saw that geeks could become millionaires, and if there's anything that influences people to do something it's money.

But the other thing is how much technology affects our lives. Cell phones and the Internet are on everyone's minds - you can't go 10 minutes without one some days. Because of this, geeks are now something of mystical wizards, the people who bring these cool "toys" to the masses to play with, including their iPods, the current status symbol, which 5 years ago was purely a geek music toy.

And because of this, I think that society is slowly starting to see the benefits of intelligence. Where before "egg headed intellectuals" would have been scoffed, intelligent activities are starting to aquire some respect. Look at TV shows: the most popular ones weren't just mindless driven, they were shows like "Lost" and "Battlestar Gallactica" and yes, "Desperate Housewives" (which I haven't watched), shows which contain very complex relationships and huge shades of gray in character.

The most popular books: Harry Potter, a book about a geek (a kid who likes to go to school and is best friend with the school uber-geek - a geek girl no less). Manga is becoming popular - I went into a bookstore and saw two whole isles, with 14 - 20 year olds hanging around - and not just the ugly ones, but cheerleaders looking at what once was only "nerd" material talking about how cute so-and-so is.

This isn't to say that those who are smart or different are entering Utopia - look at the current "Intelligent Design" debates and issues with extreme religious people trying to convert government to their way of thinking (as a religious person, this behavior really irks me. There's a reason why the "Render under Ceaser speak was made, and it's still applies, folks), or corporations muddling science (global warming? Where? Have another Hummer!) -

But things are getting better. Saying "I'm a professional geek" makes me the guy at parties people want to talk to. They ask about security, or about games they're playing (amazing how many executives have a PS2 these days), or just computer talk about their iPods or whatever. Yeah, they don't think I can play basketball, but that's ok.

I don't have to - I'm a geek.

Of course, this is all just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Re:geek - the word has evolved...

[Hrolf]

Teenage nerd - no knowledge of new trends, can't show off fashionable boyfriend in high school lunchroom or at parties. Not interesting.

Adult nerd - useful college degree, probably good job, disposable income, can definitely show off fashionable jewelry received as gift. Much more interesting.

I concur.

[Grendel Drago]

It is all about creative control. Someone with a real strong vision can make something uniquely cohesive and brilliant. Whether it's Straczynski's Babylon 5 or Frank Miller's Sin City, it's amazing what can be done when the grubby fingers of mediocrity are kept away from someone's bright ideas.

Of course, creative control doesn't guarantee quality. (See Ilene Chaiken's utter failure to even have consistend characterization on The L Word.) But a lack of it will pretty much guarantee mediocrity.

I want to come out of the theater saying "I have never, ever seen anything like that before." I did that after Sin City; I did that after the preview screening of Serenity that I saw.

Re:I don't think it's the rise of the geek

[Gulthek]

Great, pet peeve alert.

Anachronism eh? SO. Since you feel that in the Future we will all have equal access to all technology, how do you explain the fact that we are chatting to each other via a global information network while many thousands of people still live in subsistance communities?

Do you think that when phasers, lasers, or other -ers are invented; that they will be handed out to all who ask? Do you think that when terraforming dozens of planets, that each planet will receive state of the art machinery requiring expensive fuel and electricity? You don't think that there will be a place for livestock at all?

Where do you think hamburgers and the like come from? Do you think that food will be delivered via spaceship to entire planets? If so, where does the food come from in your idealized scifi universe?

Please, describe your all "futuristic and shit" universe. Explain how people living on the edge of civilization will have access to very expensive technology other than that required to maintain their lifestyle. I guess you believe that the Iraqi insurgents have helicopters, tanks, tactical nuclear weapons, submarines, etc. I guess that's why they are taking on our military directly instead of doing makeshift hit and run attacks, oh. Wait.

Does it not make more sense that people would use the scifi tech they need and can afford, and make do with the rest? I.e. they have a scifi space engine, but use guns. Their scifi engine does the job they need it to do, their guns do the job they need them to do.

So I guess I should get over to Mongolia and help out with the water well-based community IPO they are offering next month. Maybe get them to finally upgrade from horses and oxen to cars and tractors, because gas is so cheap and easily available to them; unlike grass. The grass that grows on the hills. That feeds the horses and oxen directly. Yeah. I guess that makes sense in your head.

Re:geek - the word has evolved...

[TheRaven64]

Scott Adams, in The Dilbert Principle, wrote that engineers are lousy as potential dates, but good as potential husbands. He may have been on to something...

Re:This may be redundant, but. . .

[tsm_sf]

Gee, a movie based on a four year old television series that itself only lasted four to six episodes? Oh, that must be absolutely amazing.

Hi there! I have no knowledge of, or interest in, the subject at hand. This will not stop me from posting my random pre-coffee thoughts. Enjoy, /.!

(ps. not a troll)