If you’re of a certain age you remember a time when it wasn’t so cool to be a nerd. Wearing a tee shirt with a comic character was an invitation to be ridiculed. Reading for pleasure was unheard of, and don’t let the book be thick or sci-fi or fantasy… and we won’t even mention comics. Now, we live in a time where these sorts of things are accepted, for the most part. The norms either adapt or grin and bear it, but it is all good. But does the lack of struggle change the meaning of geek for the ones coming up? 

Many of us had small circles of friends who were geeks or friends who just didn’t “get it” but they were cool that you did. Back then we showed our love for our fandoms in secret. We were tight lipped about our adventuring parties and dared not brag about that “nat 20” you rolled against all odds the night before. Or, when someone saw you pouring over your players manual and started asking questions, you knew that they were less interested in you and more interested in making fun of you. But that worked to steel your resolve, to take comfort in who you are. And, if someone didn’t like it, well, forget them, right? We owned our geek in spite of the ridicule of the masses, we sought comfort in the solitude. Then, when you met other geeks, it was all the better – the bond was legit because you understood each other’s trials.

But now it isn’t like that. On one side, it is awesome that we have advanced as a society, but, on the other side, when the pendulum swings the other way, will the ones who came up in this age have the strength to hunker down, own their geek and ignore the negativity? I want to believe that we have shared the stories of the past and, although we revel in the acceptance now, we have taught the importance of being true to who you are, no matter the cost. The millennials may not have to worry about it so much, but the ones after them may and it is all on us to instill that pride of self.