Why geeks are tolerant [View All]

[HuckleB]

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/geek-pride/201010/why-geeks-are-tolerant

"I was discussing geeks and nerds in my last post. Since I wrote that, I had some further thoughts on the topic, and memories of my own pathetic adolescence trying to navigate my way through the cutthroat corridors of my high school. Perhaps some readers had similar experiences. My experience as an awkward, "unpopular," outsider kid shaped me (both good and bad). The good: I've become a tolerant person. Why? Because geeks are a tolerant people.

They take in “the other,” the misfit toys, and not simply because no one else will sit with them at the cafeteria table. They have felt the sting of not being included. They know what it is like to not feel cool. They know the pain of being excluded.

So it's no surprise that those who indulge in geekery like role-playing games, costuming, and medieval reenactment groups like the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) accept gays, lesbians, cross-dressers, and transgendered folk without hesitation. In fact, they were one of the first groups to accept these "freakish" sub-cultures. (Only until recently, gays and lesbians had to engage in role-play --- as straight people -- just to get by in a largely straight world.)

There are others wrinkles to this. I think geeky types are drawn to fantasy and role-play precisely because some of the more daring, boisterous, successful behavior was denied them in the real world. So in these make-believe worlds, all is tolerated. Populated with cross-bred elves and dwarves, fantasy realms make people feel not quite so freakish. You can release yourself from your cage of identity. Playing half- or non-human characters can be an exploration of one's freak side, a new door into yourself.

..."


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I suppose he has a point. No?

:hi: