THE EXTINCTION OF A SPECIES CALLED "GEEKS"

Geek: (gēk) n. a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked

– Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Geek: (gēk) n. a cool species that is sadly misunderstood

– Dinesh Liyanage

In addition to tigers, Giant Pandas and Asian elephants, this author would like to submit a new entry to the list of endangered species: a small dying breed known as “geeks”.

It is incredibly and unbelievably sad that only a very few people remain with whom I could engage in a long and entertaining conversation that will sporadically jumps from the universe and mythology of Star Wars to the world that was first entered through a wardrobe and came to be known as Narnia, from the magical castle of Hogwarts of Harry Potter to joining two Hobbits on a ragged and dangerous journey outlined in the epic trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. 

What ever happened to the days where we would sit at one side and endlessly discuss the fate of Harry Potter as we waited in eager anticipation for the release of the final book? Does anyone still imagine how cool it would be to wield real lightsabers or actually be a part of the timeless galaxy created by George Lucas? And is there anyone left who remembers the Golden Age of Pokémon, a glorious era of childhood where trading cards and playing the Nintendo Games held an important place in a child’s life? If one went walking around the school about six years ago, in almost every nook and corner, one would hear the latest developments in Pokémon: Ruby. My birthday cake for my sixth birthday was moulded in the shape of that yellow critter Pikachu- and every time I remember that piece of my childhood, it has never failed to put a smile on my face. 

Where is the geek in us nowadays? For that matter, is anyone even aware about such pop icons and influences that have helped shape culture into what it is today? Most people seemed to have dunked the head of the geek inside them into a vat of boiling acid and let it burn and shrivel to death, allowing a dull soul to grow instead in its place. I know many people who tell me to “grow up” when I start speaking of such things. They prefer to talk about mundane events, instead, like about the upcoming exams. 

Dear reader! Don’t ever let your inner geek die! It may occasionally fall silent but never allow it to remain permanently deaf. Heed its cries- let the geek raise its head and crow against all those who try to oppress it. 

I leave you with this line from the song Baba O’Riley by The Who:

~ “Don't cry, don't raise your eye. It's only teenage wasteland.” ~