I was riding horses when I got involved in astronomy in '95 and hanging around Rich's barn. Does that make me a cowgirl geek? My point is most of us have other interests besides astronomy. I think if Paul took a closer look at us he would find that most of us are pretty normal people. Debbie
From: Ann House <annchouse@gmail.com> Date: 2005/01/31 Mon AM 11:20:29 MST To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Geeks, what geeks
Paul Rolly happens to be my brother-in-law. I have given him plenty of stories, but not this one. At least I now know what he thinks of me.
-A
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(Disclaimer, I don't know anyone at the Trib, and certainly not Rolly, though I enjoy his columns.) You guys must have a 40 year old definition of the word "geeks". Now "geeks" means the smart ones, capable of dealing with new technology, first in line to hear about new developments, the "go-to" guys when you need to know what is really happening in science.... Okay, maybe only some of us are geeks.... Jo
Does this require a response? Joe? Jo? Guy? et al... An apology perhaps? Siegfried Quoting Josephine Grahn <bsi@xmission.com>:
(Disclaimer, I don't know anyone at the Trib, and certainly not Rolly, though I enjoy his columns.)
You guys must have a 40 year old definition of the word "geeks". Now "geeks" means the smart ones, capable of dealing with new technology, first in line to hear about new developments, the "go-to" guys when you need to know what is really happening in science....
Okay, maybe only some of us are geeks....
Jo
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Siegfried, I do apologize to anyone whom I offended. I think the people in this group are as nice a bunch of people as I have ever known. But since I have a son and a husband who are geeks, I have a hard time looking at it as an insult. And it would be hard to attend a star party, or see what is happening out at SPOC, without thinking that there are some pretty good brains in the group, who definitely are up with what is happening in the world of science, and, in many cases, technology. No matter what the working or educational backgrounds in this group, they seem to be pretty smart. Jo At 12:40 PM 1/31/2005 -0700, you wrote:
Does this require a response?
Joe? Jo? Guy? et al...
An apology perhaps?
Siegfried
Quoting Josephine Grahn <bsi@xmission.com>:
(Disclaimer, I don't know anyone at the Trib, and certainly not Rolly, though I enjoy his columns.)
You guys must have a 40 year old definition of the word "geeks". Now "geeks" means the smart ones, capable of dealing with new technology, first in line to hear about new developments, the "go-to" guys when you need to know what is really happening in science....
Okay, maybe only some of us are geeks....
Jo
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I've never heard the term used in a positive sense, although I suppose the original meaning (something about biting off chickens' heads) may not have been meant pejoratively. Kim
Sorry, my remarks were misintepreted. I meant is an apology due us from the Tribune reporter? All of your remarks were right on the money. Siegfried Quoting Josephine Grahn <bsi@xmission.com>:
Siegfried,
I do apologize to anyone whom I offended. I think the people in this group are as nice a bunch of people as I have ever known. But since I have a son and a husband who are geeks, I have a hard time looking at it as an insult. And it would be hard to attend a star party, or see what is happening out at SPOC, without thinking that there are some pretty good brains in the group, who definitely are up with what is happening in the world of science, and, in many cases, technology. No matter what the working or educational backgrounds in this group, they seem to be pretty smart.
Jo
At 12:40 PM 1/31/2005 -0700, you wrote:
Does this require a response?
Joe? Jo? Guy? et al...
An apology perhaps?
Siegfried
Quoting Josephine Grahn <bsi@xmission.com>:
(Disclaimer, I don't know anyone at the Trib, and certainly not Rolly, though I enjoy his columns.)
You guys must have a 40 year old definition of the word "geeks". Now "geeks" means the smart ones, capable of dealing with new technology, first in line to hear about new developments, the "go-to" guys when you need to know what is really happening in science....
Okay, maybe only some of us are geeks....
Jo
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I don't know, Siegfried, "geeky" sounds sort of derogatory. I vividly recall one insult that used to float around, "pencil-necked geek." According to the Marriam-Webster online dictionary, the modern definition of geek (other than the old-time one concerning a circus performer of freakish acts like biting the heads off chickens) is, "a person often of an intellectual bent who is disapproved of." I don't like feeling trivialized any more than I have to, and I don't like the implication of the word geeky -- but it's probably not something worth demanding an apology for. It was an unfortunate choice of words. But I also thought Paul provided a valuable service in that he pointed out the ridiculous situation where a public planetarium can't supply room for the monthly meeting of a nonprofit group interested in astronomy. So it cuts both ways. Also, I want to say that I personally like Paul Rolly and I think he's a good reporter. He brings out a lot of important information. I just feel amateur astronomers should not be marginalized. -- Joe
The second definition in Merriam-Webster online is
2 : an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity <computer geek> <film geek>
That shoe fits. Jim ---- Jim Cobb james@cobb.name On Jan 31, 2005, at 1:18 PM, Joe Bauman wrote:
[Content elided]
According to the Marriam-Webster online dictionary, the modern definition of geek (other than the old-time one concerning a circus performer of freakish acts like biting the heads off chickens) is, "a person often of an intellectual bent who is disapproved of."
[Content elided] -- Joe
Siegried, are you wondering if the article needs a response, or postings to this list? Kim
A geek is some one who would bother to look up the word in the dictionary. On that score some of us qualify. Also a geek can be considered a nerd in training, which may or may not be a bad thing depending on your point of view. I would consider a geek to be anyone who knows that a planetary nebula has nothing to do with the planets. We all fit that definition. However a nerd will have heard and understood the terms post asymptotic giant branch star, proto planetary nebula, and axisymmetric superwind mass loss . and actually cares about the subject. Few of us have attained this level. People who pride themselves on their non-geek status spend a lot of time in bars bragging about how little they know. They take pride in their carefully nurtured ignorance The news media tends to attract these people. I remember an interview of Ted Coppel on the Tonight show. He struck me as a rather intelligent human being. The next night on his own show Nightline, he was interviewing some news figure and was asking the dumbest most asinine questions I could image. Clearly Ted was reading a script of questions fed to him by a producer but the contrast after seeing him out of character was very stark. Its not that Ted is stupid, rather his handlers think the stupid audience wants to hear stupid questions put to news figures. I guess the Tribune has taken it a step farther. Why hire the smart and program them to act stupid, when you can hire the stupid for a lot less money. Clear Skies DT __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
I think Joe hit the nail on the head when he stated that Paul is pointing out the ridiculousness on the part of the Clark. And we get a little publicity. As far as the term "geek" - my son, who is 25, and his friends throw that word around all the time. They are computer programmers and designers (among having other interests). They see nothing derogatory about the word, in fact they have embraced it. They use the word, fondly, to reference others of like mind. And one would much rather be a geek than a "muggle" (from Harry Potter) - a regular type of guy, a boring person. Anyway, it is all in fun and it is healthy to laugh at oneself from time to time. I'll invite Paul to our Open House and Astronomy Day activities. Perhaps he could be persuaded to say a word or two! -A
Whenever I hear the term 'geek', I think back to '68 and wonder if they ever found that kid who's underwear we pulled up over his head and stuffed in his locker. ;) Just kidding... People need to be held accountable for the things they do and say. This includes writers and their editors. While I have not read the piece, that portion which Joe posted, attempts to publicly de-legitimize SLAS while painting this fine organization and it's members as a bunch of losers who cannot stay in one spot long enough to grow roots. As a geek board member of this 'loser organization', I think some sort of response is called for. A public appology followed by a swift *%&$@#% should be sufficient... Quoting ziggy943@xmission.com:
Does this require a response?
Joe? Jo? Guy? et al...
An apology perhaps?
Siegfried
Quoting Josephine Grahn <bsi@xmission.com>:
(Disclaimer, I don't know anyone at the Trib, and certainly not Rolly, though I enjoy his columns.)
You guys must have a 40 year old definition of the word "geeks". Now "geeks" means the smart ones, capable of dealing with new technology, first in line to hear about new developments, the "go-to" guys when you need to know what is really happening in science....
Okay, maybe only some of us are geeks....
Jo
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participants (9)
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Ann House -
astrodeb＠charter.net -
daniel turner -
diveboss＠xmission.com -
Jim Cobb -
Joe Bauman -
Josephine Grahn -
Kim Hyatt -
ziggy943＠xmission.com