Throughout my life, especially my childhood, I've tried to hide the fact that I may have a hint of geek in me. Also tried hiding the little nerd in me too. My strategy in hiding it was to not socialise much. If people didn't talk to me, then they would never know! In hindsight, that was a stupid strategy any nerd should be ashamed of.
However, in my adult life, I've given up trying to hide it. There's no point.
When people ask me what I have planned for the weekend, I no longer say "nothing". Now I proudly say "I'm going to a LAN". And then I try to explain what it is, since most people I interact with don't know.
When people ask me what I do in my spare time, I no longer say "nothing much". Now I say "I enjoy playing games on my computer".
I realised that "nothing" is worse than just admitting what you do. It means I find joy in something.
So what is the point to this? Why am I writing this redundant blog article? Well, I thought it was time I just open up. The gaming world is actually quite new to me. Because I've been trying to hide a part of my identity, I've also stopped myself from doing something I actually enjoy (except when NFS Carbon came out... I couldn't resist not playing that for hours!)
I guess I was bad at hiding it... Each time I went over someone's house, I noticed their console straight away and begged them to play... to some people's surprise.
So, do I also consider myself a gamer? Well, maybe.
I guess this is what this blog is about.
Maybe it so happens that I am a gamer, but have not fully come to terms with it. Question is, what defines a gamer? Is it someone like me that plays games nearly everyday? Is it someone like me that dreams about SC2 games in bed more times than it should be dreamt about? Is it someone like me that misses the games while on holiday on a beautiful tropical island? Is it someone like me who sometimes visualises Zealots dancing around pylons holding hands when I close my eyes?
yeah seriously if you have pride and confidence in your passion then no one can fault you. The social stigma surrounding 'nerd' and 'geek' comes from the fact that the majority of them are introverted and awkward, are fat/skinny and smell bad; much less from the actual things they are interested in. Most of them time when I tell people I worked in games workshop for 2 years they are either interested and enthusiastic or they just don't remark on it, I can't remember a recent convo where they stopped talking to me or started being weird...!
Throughout my life, especially my childhood, I've tried to hide the fact that I may have a hint of geek in me. Also tried hiding the little nerd in me too. My strategy in hiding it was to not socialise much.
Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
In any case as everyone said: be yourself. No one in the adult-world is going to shit on you for being prideful about what you like. If they do, well guess who's the real secluded anti-social one? That guy.
As many people allready said, be yourself ! I've been a geek, gamer whatever they call me for many years now. Never ever did I feel that I wasted my life or whatever. I've met people that are really close friends today via gaming.
And if you dont feel good about yourself, dont blame it on gaming, and do something about it. Feeling down because of your grade ? Study harder and keep playing. Ashamed of being a skinny guy ? Keep playing and visit the Health and Fitness subforum to start bulking up.
I've been noticing it with myself too though, I'm not really comfortable admitting to people I'm an avid gamer. It's alot more accepted than it used to be, but I do notice over here there is still some social stigma attached to it. ( problaby everywhere except sweden)
Oh wow! Was not expecting such a response! Thanks guys. Now I feel more confident in having my geek on. Ohhhh yeaaaaah!
On February 21 2012 01:26 GigaFlop wrote: Embrace it! there's nothing wrong with liking things + Show Spoiler +
Oh those dice! They are sexy indeed.
On February 21 2012 05:01 Tyrran wrote: I think this video fits very well here :
[...]
Enjoy being a geek
Haha, awesome. That video made me feel like going to a barcraft...
Someone told me that teamliquid is an awesome community of people who make you feel quite at home. That person is right! You people are awesome. Thanks for being awesome, you awesome bunch of awesome... awesome.
On February 21 2012 05:01 solidbebe wrote: You are a NERD? SHAME ON THOU!!!!
I've been noticing it with myself too though, I'm not really comfortable admitting to people I'm an avid gamer. It's alot more accepted than it used to be, but I do notice over here there is still some social stigma attached to it. ( problaby everywhere except sweden)
Console gaming is a lot more accepted here than PC gaming though. Somehow playing CoD isn't as bad as playing sc :p.
On February 21 2012 05:01 solidbebe wrote: You are a NERD? SHAME ON THOU!!!!
I've been noticing it with myself too though, I'm not really comfortable admitting to people I'm an avid gamer. It's alot more accepted than it used to be, but I do notice over here there is still some social stigma attached to it. ( problaby everywhere except sweden)
Console gaming is a lot more accepted here than PC gaming though. Somehow playing CoD isn't as bad as playing sc :p.
Well, from my experience, when most people hear 'gaming' they either think it is playing on a console or gambling. Rarely have I seen people who are not gamers associate it with PCs.
And it seems that waaaaay more people know what CoD is than sc. I guess it has to do with advertising and media.
EPT
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