Does anyone else hate this term? I can't stand it. I grew up in the '80s, when the term "geek" was considered an epithet, and to me it will always carry negative connotations. I much prefer "road enthusiast," "Roads Scholar," or even "roadfan." I guess I just don't understand somebody self-identifying as a "geek," "nerd," "dweeb," or "spazz."
Is anyone with me on this?
reminds me of the time F'n B (Alex and Andy know whom I'm talking about!) flipped out when I called him that.
I refer to road enthusiasts, myself. It's easier to tell other people about it with that term.
Either works for me: roadgeek or road enthusiast. But, I'm a geek, and proud of it. :cool: :-D
Be well,
Bryant
I take pride in being a roadgeek too. Most definitely not ashamed to call my self that.
I usually don't care one way or the other, but I know a fair number of people who are fairly particular. For that reason, I generally use the term "roads enthusiast" instead of "roadgeek" when I'm writing something, or in conversation.
Road Enthusiast has too many syllables. However, I dont think i've ever actually said the word "roadgeek" out loud.
For me its just easier to say "roadgeek" than enthusiast. I mean since I'm in band I've been called a "bandgeek" anyhow.
I prefer "Road Scholar" since I do, in a way, study roads. :spin:
Quote from: US71 on May 28, 2009, 11:38:31 PM
I prefer "Road Scholar" since I do, in a way, study roads. :spin:
In other words, you're a viatologist!!!!! :-p
Roadologist :sombrero:
I have no problem with the term "roadgeek", although I can understand when people feel it's nerdy. However, roadgeek is probably the most well known term, and covers it pretty good.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 29, 2009, 12:15:32 PM
Quote from: US71 on May 28, 2009, 11:38:31 PM
I prefer "Road Scholar" since I do, in a way, study roads. :spin:
In other words, you're a viatologist!!!!! :-p
No, I'm not Carl. :pan:
everyone has their preferences - some suck - some are great :P I don't mind the term roadgeek.
In my day and place, if you were known as a "geek", you were risking weekly physical assaults and social isolation. So for one, I cannot bear to be defined by that term. Call me a roads scholar (pun intended), viatologist, whatever, anything but "geek."
Times change. Geek isn't a 'four letter word' anymore.
Sykotyk
Quote from: Sykotyk on May 29, 2009, 10:29:55 PM
Times change. Geek isn't a 'four letter word' anymore.
Sykotyk
But old perceptions die hard. For example, despite its now-common use by rappers, the N-word is still offensive.
"Don't worry, I'm taking it back." - Randall, Clerks 2
I actually prefer the term "roadgeek" over the other alternatives. I don't mind being called a geek at all.
A geek is a circus performer who specializes in eating things other people would find disgusting--things like snakes, bugs, etc. The term roadgeek is, therefore, inherently denormalizing (if not denigrating) and also suggests that the interest defines who you are, to the exclusion of other qualities. I understand the arguments in favor of reclaiming it in much the same way rappers have claimed the N-word and elements of the gay community have reclaimed the Q-word, but that is not a project I am personally interested in. Roads enthusiast is otiose but, I think, more accurately descriptive of the fact that roads are one interest out of many for most people involved in this hobby.
Where on earth do you get that definition of geek from? :confused: Never heard that one before.
Honestly I rarely use the term "roadgeek". I often refer to myself and others as just "road guys" or say "yah, they are also into roads too". My one roomate classified me as a "road junkie".
When I head out on a trip, I use JT Legg's term of "roadding". It kind of sums up what I am doing (driving just to check out roads and maybe photograph). Its not really a road trip in the common thinking, so roadding covers it.
Even though I refer to myself as "flaroadgeek", I really don't use the term "road geek" that often. I started using it years ago only because I wanted a road related username for AIM and that was the first one I could think of. I never really thought about the connotations of the term. When I talk to others about my hobby, I tell them that I am into roads, that I am a "road enthusiast" or that I am a "road guy" as others have mentioned.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on May 30, 2009, 11:15:47 AMWhere on earth do you get that definition of geek from? :confused: Never heard that one before.
It is the traditional definition.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geek (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geek)
I don't mind the term geek.
I'm a computer programmer/analyst and have been for over 20 years.
And, one of the richest men in the world, Bill Gates, is a "geek."
I don't mind the term "roadgeek," seeing that it has a simple construct, and I don't think the first definition given at M-W is the most prevalent definition of "geek" today. Not that there's anything wrong with that sort of thing if you do fit that def. :sombrero:
Roadinator
BigMatt
Quote from: J N Winkler on May 30, 2009, 09:22:31 AM
A geek is a circus performer who specializes in eating things other people would find disgusting--things like snakes, bugs, etc. The term roadgeek is, therefore, inherently denormalizing (if not denigrating) and also suggests that the interest defines who you are, to the exclusion of other qualities. I understand the arguments in favor of reclaiming it in much the same way rappers have claimed the N-word and elements of the gay community have reclaimed the Q-word, but that is not a project I am personally interested in. Roads enthusiast is otiose but, I think, more accurately descriptive of the fact that roads are one interest out of many for most people involved in this hobby.
What he said.
I've eaten roadkill so I suppose I am a roadgeek.
See username.
When I hear the word geek, what pops into my mind is simply someone who is very obsessive about something, or knows a lot about something, therefore, I am perfectly fine calling myself, or being called a "road geek". Though when I'm talking about the community as a whole, I'll usually say road enthusiasts, or people that are into roads. But there have been a few times where I've referred to this as the "roadgeek community". I'm fine being called anything (roadgeek, road enthusiast, road scholar, etc.).
Holy. Crap. A 5 year bump. That might just be a new record... :wow:
I want to say we've had worse.
I know another forum I'm part of has had threads 6+ years old bumped before.
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 27, 2014, 10:05:55 PM
I want to say we've had worse.
I want to say that I want to say that you're right. But I'm not actually going to say it because commitment sucks.
If I call myself anything other than a "roadgeek" in the context of this hobby I feel like I am using a euphemism.
Because let's be honest, having an obsession with roads and all the habits that come along with it is weird. But rather than deny it or gloss it over I just embrace it. Call me weird all you want. I would take it as more of an insult if you told me I was normal.
It may be weird to some, but it's no worse than other hobby obsessions.
"Railfan" is used to describe those who enjoy railroads as a hobby. The term "foamer" is to railfans what "viatologist" is to roadfans (especially the ones here :sombrero: ).
I prefer "roadnut"
Quote from: froggie on September 28, 2014, 08:59:27 AM
It may be weird to some, but it's no worse than other hobby obsessions.
I agree. Anything really can be a hobby, so why can't roads and highways and the such be one as well? But to be honest, for the first 15 years of my life, I suppressed my interest in roads because I thought I was the only one like myself. For some reason, I never thought about Googling it - just seemed weird at the time. Then around 10th grade I found myself doodling maps of Hillsborough and Somerset County and drawing (bad) signs. I forget what exactly led me to AARoads, but boy was I pleasantly surprised to see this place. Alex is amazing for creating this site, and I also enjoy sprucing it up and helping him with anything he needs.
Besides, the joke is on the people who make fun of us who can't navigate without a GPS and then rely on others to get them to where they need to be.
I say, "I'm a roadgeek. I'm into highways the way that others are into handguns or Hummel figurines."
Quote from: Zeffy on September 28, 2014, 12:08:20 PM
Quote from: froggie on September 28, 2014, 08:59:27 AM
It may be weird to some, but it's no worse than other hobby obsessions.
I agree. Anything really can be a hobby, so why can't roads and highways and the such be one as well? But to be honest, for the first 15 years of my life, I suppressed my interest in roads because I thought I was the only one like myself. For some reason, I never thought about Googling it - just seemed weird at the time. Then around 10th grade I found myself doodling maps of Hillsborough and Somerset County and drawing (bad) signs. I forget what exactly led me to AARoads, but boy was I pleasantly surprised to see this place. Alex is amazing for creating this site, and I also enjoy sprucing it up and helping him with anything he needs.
Besides, the joke is on the people who make fun of us who can't navigate without a GPS and then rely on others to get them to where they need to be.
I was actually very open about my interest in elementary school. I'd carry around my Rand McNally, and sometimes in class I'd doodle maps. Kids started to really make fun of me though, so in middle school I kept my interest rather hidden, but last year in 8th grade I didn't care anymore. A kid laughed at me for watching a road video on YT on my phone, but sucks for him, because he'll be lost one day on the road. I don't care what anyone thinks anymore. I'm proud to be a roadgeek! :bigass:
It's interesting how enthusiasts are referred to depending on what they are passionate about:
1. Sports fan
2. Political/news junkie
3. Road geek
4. Video game nerd
5. Trivia buff
6. Dancing aficionado
7. Animal lover
8. Computer geek
9. Coin/stamp collector
You don't hear sports fans refer to themselves as sports geeks even though they might be able to tell you the ERA of the star pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in 1978, for example. The terms "lover" and "fan" seem more commonly used for activities that are deemed "popular" or "mainstream" or "acceptable." You can be a "dog lover," but not a "dog geek." But how is it not geeky to be able to identify obscure dog breeds or explain the behavioral differences between Breed X and Breed Y?
So yeah, I don't like the term road "geek" myself because it sounds like we enjoy something "weird." But at the same time, "geek" is changing its connotations for the better. Best Buy has the "Geek Squad," for example. So I'm conflicted. I just tell people "I love roads."
I'm guessing the term "roadgeek" first came into use on MTR, although I can't remember who may have been the first person to use the term. i remember some early meets being referred to as "roadgeek meets" although I generally just call them "road meets" now. Rich Carlson started the Roadgeek Yahoo group, and I'm sure that came as a result of the term being used on MTR.
As for me, I don't mind the term. I use it to describe myself. "Enthusiast" seems a little too stuffy. "Fan," to me, doesn't fit at all. I'm a fan of sports teams and musicians and the like, and I'm a fan of certain roads (and not a fan of others). "Scholar" strikes me as bit pretentious, and Kentucky has a "Roads Scholar" course that is taught to maintenance employees of state and county garages.
Quote from: NE2 on September 27, 2014, 10:48:30 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on September 27, 2014, 10:05:55 PM
I want to say we've had worse.
I want to say that I want to say that you're right. But I'm not actually going to say it because commitment sucks.
More like I want to say it but I'm too lazy to look it up and confirm it.
It would be pretty impressive. The thread is nearly as old as the forum.
Quote from: vdeane on September 29, 2014, 12:42:24 PM
It would be pretty impressive. The thread is nearly as old as the forum.
I think the first post is January 19, 2009. (It might be 17 though.)
I grew up in a time where nerds and geeks were all the rage. People liked bands like Weezer where the lead singer Rivers Cuomo went to Harvard and the band dressed nerdy. I used to have a Hello Kitty shirt in high school that said "I love Nerds" with Hello Kitty wearing glasses. I was a nerd and never had any problems going on dates or the like because there were so many of us nerds and geeks, and most of us weren't made fun of. Our prom king was a huge geek for D&D and anime and stuff! We used "geeking" as a word. I'm geeking out over _____. I'm geeky for ______.
I am a roadgeek and proud of it.
Quote from: Laura on October 01, 2014, 10:44:26 PM
I grew up in a time where nerds and geeks were all the rage. People liked bands like Weezer where the lead singer Rivers Cuomo went to Harvard and the band dressed nerdy. I used to have a Hello Kitty shirt in high school that said "I love Nerds" with Hello Kitty wearing glasses. I was a nerd and never had any problems going on dates or the like because there were so many of us nerds and geeks, and most of us weren't made fun of. Our prom king was a huge geek for D&D and anime and stuff! We used "geeking" as a word. I'm geeking out over _____. I'm geeky for ______.
I am a roadgeek and proud of it.
None of this was the case when I grew up.
"Geek" is cutesy in the way that adult kickball leagues are cutesy. It evolved, IMO, as a way to counter stigma, and therefore is defined by it. It's like as "queer" in this way. I never got the thrill of embracing "geek." I think it's probably different if you came around after this transition.
Thank god it is nowhere near as schmaltzy, saccharine, and punch-inducing as "foodie." I swear, you grow up cooking and suddenly people want to call you something that sounds like a mythical pixie with a glass of chardonnay, that flaunts hifalutin terms it learned yesterday and owns an expensive stove it doesn't know how to use.
Quote from: freebrickproductions on September 27, 2014, 10:35:36 PM
I know another forum I'm part of has had threads 6+ years old bumped before.
Funny timing. Yesterday a thread on the Acurazine forum was bumped. Its last previous post was in 2006.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on October 02, 2014, 09:37:11 AM
"Geek" is cutesy in the way that adult kickball leagues are cutesy.
Don't be dissing adult kickball leagues. Doug Kerr may have something to say about that.
Even as a kid, I wore glasses and I still remember how I used to get teased just for that. Yes, the kids called me a geek, nerd and four-eyes, but I didn't let that get to me. So I guess I'm comfortable with the term roadgeek (after all, I graduated from UCLA!).
Quote from: Henry on October 02, 2014, 10:45:40 AM
Even as a kid, I wore glasses and I still remember how I used to get teased just for that. Yes, the kids called me a geek, nerd and four-eyes, but I didn't let that get to me. So I guess I'm comfortable with the term roadgeek (after all, I graduated from UCLA!).
I did things that boys normally didn't do unless they were...homosexual apparently, and yes I got plenty of shit from other people for doing it (actually - it was ONLY people who were in a grade below me). Good thing I learned early that everyone's negative opinions of me can die in a fire. Words don't hurt me. In school, I was extremely likable by everyone else in my grade, save for a few people who were on completely different wavelengths then me. When some people saw some of the maps I drew in the later years of high school, as well as shitty road signs I drew, those got me more weird looks. So what? The best thing I could've done in my life was to ignore the haters and bullies. I was never physical in school or at home because of it.
Quote from: hbelkins on October 02, 2014, 10:25:21 AM
Don't be dissing adult kickball leagues. Doug Kerr may have something to say about that.
I'd totally sign up for an adult kickball league. Kickball is fucking legit, heck even playing soft/baseball is as well.
Yes, "geek" had more of a negative connotation when I was growing up in the 80s (although I didn't consider myself at the time. Now, however, I've become a "geek" (enthusiast) on many levels and proud to refer to myself as such. Road geek, space geek, band geek (even many years after I left the field), guitar geek and ship geek (Great Lakes freighters), for example. I even use the term "geeked" to describe an excessively psyched-up feeling.
Here are all instances of the term (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/roadgeek$20before$3A1998$2F01$2F01) in Google's Usenet archive through 12/31/1997.
The earliest result (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/roadgeek$20before$3A1998$2F01$2F01/comp.sys.psion/2c7OkMDiKrY/E5yfxIerCbEJ) seems to be in reference to a geek (in the traditional sense) who spends time out on the road.
Several further posts from 1995 refer to road cyclists (as opposed to off-road cyclists) as "road geeks."
The earliest result in the context of one interested in roads (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/roadgeek$20before$3A1998$2F01$2F01/alt.society.generation-x/Qhbk44p6mQ8/goxHNV0ODNAJ) is by David "ZZYZX" Steinberg, in alt.society.generation-x.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on October 02, 2014, 01:52:46 PM
Here are all instances of the term (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/roadgeek$20before$3A1998$2F01$2F01) in Google's Usenet archive through 12/31/1997.
The earliest result (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/roadgeek$20before$3A1998$2F01$2F01/comp.sys.psion/2c7OkMDiKrY/E5yfxIerCbEJ) seems to be in reference to a geek (in the traditional sense) who spends time out on the road.
Several further posts from 1995 refer to road cyclists (as opposed to off-road cyclists) as "road geeks."
The earliest result in the context of one interested in roads (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/roadgeek$20before$3A1998$2F01$2F01/alt.society.generation-x/Qhbk44p6mQ8/goxHNV0ODNAJ) is by David "ZZYZX" Steinberg, in alt.society.generation-x.
My god, looking at those old posts. Some of us have been around here (mtr and then aaroads) a very long time.
I know. And to think, I've barely aged!