Geek 2.0

(click for larger image)

I apologize in advance for all of the "2.0" posts recently—but I couldn't help myself.  My recent "Geek Dinner" experience impacted me more than I anticipated.  Sure it was cool that I got to rub elbows (literally) with Robert Scoble and some other Silicon Valley shakers—but what really got my gears turning was the notion of what passes for as a "Geek" these days.

Geekdom, is nothing like what I remember it to be from High school.  Today, it seems that the most cutting edge, tech savvy and just plain "cool" people around proudly wear a "Geek badge".  But to me, it seems like it's an evolution of "Geek culture".  Geeking out in the classic sense means going gaga over our gadgets.  Learning how to tweak them to their highest potential.  And if you think of it, most of the "2.0" Web applications out there that are fueling this whole movement are created and designed by... Geeks.

But these aren't your parents Geeks.  These are the Geeks that invent the Facebook's Firefoxes and Flickr's of the world.  These are the Geeks that have taken Silicon Valley by storm.  They are also the Geeks who are coveted and sought after by smart companies such as Google. 

And here is the kicker.  Though the comfort level with technology is a pre-requisite, Geeks can be anyone.  You can be a Design Geek, a Writer Geek—heck, you can even be a Marketing Geek.

In fact, maybe you should.  In marketing, when we look at how Web applications like You Tube have totally interrupted the Advertising model—maybe it makes sense to "Geek out" and really grasp how these emerging media technologies are feeding the appetite of consumers at ease with their digital lifestyles.

Maybe we're all really Geeks in the end (or need to be). 

And if that's the case—we better figure out how to create the right kinds of experiences and tell the most compelling stories to our own Geeky selves.

Comments

[deco]

where's the boundary between Geek and Nerdy?

you definetly need to see this video! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw

[ming]

love the visuals man:)

[Christopher Fahey]

Is there such a thing as a night vision contact lens?

[David Armano]

Chris,

You don't have a set of NV Contacts?

Obviously you are not a geek.

;)

[Tamera Kremer]

Oh I'm definitely proud of my marketing geek status... although it's even harder to disown it after a dinner with a gaggle of geeks, so I feel your pain David! Best just to own it and love it ;)

[CK]

Lovin these. But why no geek 2.0 girls? Sigh.

Not sure if I'm a geek, but Gavin called me a weirdo.

Thanks for making so many fun, spot-on visuals. We 2.0'ers appreciate them muchly.

P.S.: So pleased you were so positively affected by your geekin' dinner. Very special, indeed.

[DA]

CK,

This goes for girls too. I guess the 1.0 Geek looks like a dude, but the 2.0 could be girl or boy right?

It's the first time I put "clothes" on my digital people—so I guess it's added a new dimension to them. Great—now I'm going to have to deal with genders.

;)

[CK]

Yes, we girls are a lot of work. Kind of our job.

I guess that could be a girl. She's kinda butch, tho'.

Really do appreciate all your hard work...don't worry about genders.

[Ann Handley]

David -- Nice post. I think your little digital people need a few things: cool eyeglass frames (with or without contact lenses), 2.0 self-designed footwear (Converses, Pumas, perhaps?), state-of-the-art laptop bag (to lug all those gadgets!), and finally: a zillion password variations stored in their heads.

[Viv Chawda]

where's the footwear & jacket for 2.0'ers?

[DA]

Viv,

Don't you know that there is no need for jackets in Silicon Valley? Also, going barefoot is all the rage.

That and I didn't want to clutter up the visual too much.

:)

[Adam]

Inspired!

Don't forget the obligatory Geek2Geek dating profile :)

http://www.gk2gk.com/

[Steve Woodruff]

Well know we've reached true 3.0 Geekdom status when we simply become an IP address - no more phone number, no FAX, no clunky email address or Social Security number. Just ping me, baby!

Sincerely,

112.64.5.11

[Tim Peter]

David,
Awesome. Of course, you're forgetting that the role-playing manual moved online, too, ever since WoW came out. ;-)

[Hup]

So, if geek is the new cool, what's the new geek? Oh, I know! It's those dudes who keep their Bluetooth headsets in their ears at ALL times.

Hey man, you're in a nightclub, there's no way that you're talking to someone on your celly.

[Scott Monty]

The Geeks shall inherit the earth!

[Contacts]

I'm a Geek in as you say the classic way I Love Gadgets

[Amir]

this is by far the best thing I ever saw

Casual Work Attire
Because they need us more then we need them.

[Kashim]

Hmmm I've seen a Geek 3.0 validation here
http://www.htmlremix.com/uncategorized/geek-3o
They accept your's as outdated