Mar 23 2008

Pretend Geek

Posted by Jim as Editorial

I was strolling in a mall while listening to Leo Laporte and Amber McArthy on Net @ Night. They were discussing about technology and how it has evolved many many times over. I was quite struck from strolling to steps as Leo was clever to relate that his son was saying he was a geek. Knowing who Leo Laporte is, I also said “yes, Leo, you’re a geek” (in my mind of course).

But Leo went on to a light-bulb statement. He said, “You know, my son says I’m a geek dad because I can do sooo many things. But you see, he’s geekier than me, yet he clearly doesn’t admit it. I had to learn all that I know, he on the other hand is doing this naturally. So call me a learned geek… he’s a geek since he’s born!”

10 years ago, flashback, high school days. To me, being a geek meant carrying this HP scientific calculator. I made sure it was seen when I carry it with my binder. I was high-tech then. I could imagine how silly I’d look now if I did that same thing.

20 years ago, flashback, elementary days. To me, being a geek meant carrying a slider ruler. Or maybe a pencil case with those “groovy” secret areas where by the click of a hidden button a hidden drawer pops out. I was high-tech then. I could imagine how my daughter would stare me down if I offered her that!

I have a 10-year old daughter, and she’s a geek. She has 3 friendster accounts, 2 my space accounts, a .Mac account, a YouTube account, a gmail, a macmail, a yahoo mail, a yahooID of course… SHE’S A GEEK!

But like Leo’s son, she’s a natural geek. She doesn’t know it, because what’s around her is all too natural for her. An iPod, a creative Zen, a Macbook, a Nintendo DS, a Sony PSP, a Dell Laptop, a Toshiba Laptop, WIFI at home, a slider cellphone, a cybershot camera, a cybershot cellphone…

Arggghhh… SHE’s a geek!

I’m… well, a pretend-geek next to her!

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Comments (2)

2 Responses

DummyGeekGurl
30|Mar|2008

WHOA. And to think that I marveled when my best friend told me that her sister’s daughter beat all her computer game scores.. At Age 3! Well, well, the future seems to be breeding millions of geniuses. BUT the question would be, if we allowed our kids to be as media-plugged as they are, won’t their energies be scattered? won’t they have a harder time learning how to focus, when the time comes?

Even I and my peers have trouble concentrating on work, with our media-logged age. I was thankful for the time I was devoid of internets, because I was able to rest and live an un-wired life. It was a precious time, now that I look back.

Well, a parent has to make hard choices. I think I won’t let my kids have cellphones till.. They need it. And methinks I may impose media fasts in my future home. I don’t think I would like my kids to be as wired as I was.

Just my two centavos’ worth.
I Choose Sunshine! by Froodee
30|Mar|2008

[...] came across this blog post by Gadzooki colleague Jim and I was appalled at how our children are as wired as they are [...]

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