Geek-olution!

By Jennifer James

Miriam-Webser.com defines geek as: (noun)

a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake

a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked

an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity <computer geek>

Miriam-Webster.com defines nerd as: (noun)

an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits<computer nerds>

In Love Kinection, the hero Tom Walker and heroine Abby Fine are self-professed geeks. In their cases, (thank goodness) neither bites the heads of chickens at the circus. (Because, ewww. How disgusting!)

Modern day geeks and nerds are labeled so because they are obsessed with cult movies, collect action figures, comic books, recite movie lines in conversation—heck I’ve seen people have entire conversations comprised completely of movie quotes. The list of characteristics goes on and can be molded to fit an individual. The real question here is, when did it become cool to be a geek?

I like to go all the way back to 1963 when a little television show called Dr. Who bust onto the scene courtesy of the BBC. The original program ran from 1963 to 1989. It came back in 2005 after a failed re-launch in the 90s.

Some of you may be shaking your heads. You don’t believe that The Doctor is a geek? You must be joking. And, if you know enough about the show to make that argument, then you’re a geek my friend.

Think about it.

He’s smarter than pretty much anyone, ever. He’s totally devoted to exploring time and space in pursuit of knowledge. He gets completely psyched about new civilizations, life forms, and technology.

The Doctor is a geek. (And when he was played by David Tennant, a damn sexy geek if you ask me. Gah, did you see him in the Fright Night remake? O.O )

Abby loves Dr. Who. She even has a cardboard cutout of David Tennant in her spare bedroom. Her coffee mug? A TARDIS replica.

Tom likes Christopher Eccleston’s version of The Doctor better. J

 I think that Dr. Who sparked a revolution of sorts in the television world that has bled into modern life. Geeks and nerds are no longer regarded as nothing but lab rat weirdos with no lives.

Geeks are sexy.

Mac Guyver played by Richard Dean Anderson. Sexy. Yeah, he had a mullet. But, the dude could save you from anything. He knew enough about, well, everything to get out of what looked like impossible jams time and again.

Mythbusters. Two guys in a lab setting up experiments, blowing things up, and nerding out over the results. Complete and total geeks. And we love them. Their enthusiasm is infectious.

Chuck. Computer savvy techhie guy turned secret agent. Gets the girl, has adventures, and yet can be totally sweetly, stutteringly, inept in social situations. Zachary Levi = total hottie.

So, who are your favorite geeks on television or in the movies? I’m giving away a copy of LOVE KINECTION to the person with the most creative answer. Give me a good argument. The more unexpected the better.

LOVE KINECTION Blurb:

Love, romance, hearts, flowers, cupid…. Rubbish.

Abby Fine still hasn’t gotten over the pain of a year-old betrayal and plans to spend this Valentine’s Day drowning her sorrows with a ménage of men named Ben, Jerry, and Riesling. 

Her plans are diverted when she drops and breaks her new iPhone and gives in to a momentary hormone surge, agreeing to let office hottie and tech god Tom Walker squirm his way into her condo to fix it.  

Tom shows up with his Xbox, spicy Chinese food, and a habit of stealing kisses every time she lets her guard down.

Can a weekend of laughter, video games, and movies change Abby’s opinion of stupid Cupid?

Tell me who your favorite "geek" is. One commenter will win a copy of Love Kinection. Don't forget to leave your email address in your comment!