I was strolling in a mall while listening to Leo Laporte and Amber McArthy on Net @ Night. They were discussing about technology and how it has evolved many many times over. I was quite struck from strolling to steps as Leo was clever to relate that his son was saying he was a geek. Knowing who Leo Laporte is, I also said “yes, Leo, you’re a geek” (in my mind of course).
But Leo went on to a light-bulb statement. He said, “You know, my son says I’m a geek dad because I can do sooo many things. But you see, he’s geekier than me, yet he clearly doesn’t admit it. I had to learn all that I know, he on the other hand is doing this naturally. So call me a learned geek… he’s a geek since he’s born!”
10 years ago, flashback, high school days. To me, being a geek meant carrying this HP scientific calculator. I made sure it was seen when I carry it with my binder. I was high-tech then. I could imagine how silly I’d look now if I did that same thing.
20 years ago, flashback, elementary days. To me, being a geek meant carrying a slider ruler. Or maybe a pencil case with those “groovy” secret areas where by the click of a hidden button a hidden drawer pops out. I was high-tech then. I could imagine how my daughter would stare me down if I offered her that!
I have a 10-year old daughter, and she’s a geek. She has 3 friendster accounts, 2 my space accounts, a .Mac account, a YouTube account, a gmail, a macmail, a yahoo mail, a yahooID of course… SHE’S A GEEK!
But like Leo’s son, she’s a natural geek. She doesn’t know it, because what’s around her is all too natural for her. An iPod, a creative Zen, a Macbook, a Nintendo DS, a Sony PSP, a Dell Laptop, a Toshiba Laptop, WIFI at home, a slider cellphone, a cybershot camera, a cybershot cellphone…
Arggghhh… SHE’s a geek!
I’m… well, a pretend-geek next to her!