August 15, 2011
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Get over geeky girls
They are a rare and mysterious breed, and much sought after: the sexy, geeky girl. It is, of course, miraculous for anyone to be female, a nerd, and moderately attractive. I mean, really — since when do girls like movies, video games, comic books, or other geeky things? In most cases, appreciating Star Wars and having breasts are mutually exclusive.
Or not.
Despite the drooling fantasies of some fanboys, nerd girls aren't new and exciting. I realize that girls are strange and frightening to those who never leave the dark comfort of mom's basement. But if you come out of the shadows, you realize that while you're masturbating to pictures of Felicia Day, there are real live girls who play D&D, collect comic books and action figures, and can kick your ass at Star Trek trivia.
What's arguably worse than the boys who go gaga for any girl with moderately geeky tendencies are those girls who cast themselves in the archetypal role of the hot geek girl. "I like video games," they say, "and I'm also pretty. Thus I am a special, special flower."
I get it — the guys stared at you in shock when you lined up to buy Dragon Age and ultimately decided that you were buying it for your boyfriend, and it hurt your nerd pride. But just because they're terrified of talking to girls and can't wrap their heads around the idea of a woman being part of nerd culture doesn't mean you're some kind of magical creature. Getting caught up in this farce of the mystical geeky girl is ridiculous. Enjoy the things you're interested in without making a big deal about it — it tends to be more fun than spending every minute reminding everyone how unique you are.
The idea of female geeks being special has even bled into mainstream culture — the Edmonton Journal recently published a fawning article about Valerie Lapomme of SexyNerdGirl.com. Of course, what they fail to mention is in this case, the mystical sexy nerd girl actually doesn't exist — Sexy Nerd Girl is an "interactive multimedia series," and Valerie Lapomme is actually a character played by Edmonton-born actress Hannah Spear. Besides which, the whole series is so full of clichés, it's actually painful to watch. As one commenter pointed out, "If attractive ladies who are also nerdy weren't as common as dishwater — well, this still wouldn't be news."
Putting somebody up on a pedestal because they're both attractive and geeky is stupid. I'm not saying these aren't both great qualities, but if I lost my head over every person who was both hot and loved video games, I'd be dehydrated from drooling. So boys, put the Kleenex away and leave the house occasionally. Girls, go on enjoying D&D, board games, and whatever else your geeky heart adores, and the next time somebody acts shocked, tell them where to shove it.
Goes both ways
By Gary JohnsonAren't you stereotyping nerdy guys the same way they are stereotyping nerdy girls (get out of the house, put away the kleenex, mom's basement)?
Doesn't that deflate the whole point of your argument? And, doesn't that open the door to your readers painting you as a stereotype of a not-as-pretty-gamer-girl jealous of someone getting more attention than her?
Thanks!
By Simon FraserHey Alix, thanks for the plug. There's only one statement here with which exception must be taken: "Enjoy the things you're interested in without making a big deal about it." I feel this is the sort of attitude that keeps the nerd stereotype in their mom's basement with a box of Kleenex, stifled by a fear of their perceived individuality, afraid to share with others the things they find most meaningful in life, hermetically accountable only to themselves, and ultimately, lonely and small.
I completely agree that "putting somebody up on a pedestal because they're both attractive and geeky is stupid," which is why that's not one of our goals. The primary message of our show is, "To thine own self, be true." Our viewers who get that message are the ones who are truly hoisting Valerie (and her message) on to a pedestal.
This message does exist and powerfully so, regardless of the fictional nature of the messenger who delivers it. It is the human mind's ability to think in non-literal contexts (i.e. your imagination) that allow us all to benefit from the narratives of fictional characters. Every book or movie or TV show or game you've ever loved and shared is proof of this.
Felicia Day
By Mike FlyI also wanted to point out that Felicia Day isn't just some "hot chick" - I think the way you referred to her was somewhat dismissive.
She's a talented, working actor who is also a nerd. She's also an excellent writer and she's helping pioneer the web series as a new and viable form of entertainment. She's incredibly intelligent, her interview at SXSW this year was very insightful. And, she appears to be a genuinely caring person with integrity.
That's what makes her attractive.
Don't be crass
By OokieThe proper term for it is "making virtual love" and the only reason that the over— Wait!
Is that Felicia Day in a new film!!??? Yowza!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msRo5LN9qcA#t=0m43s
The entire premise of nerdy
By Joe BlowThe entire premise of nerdy guys need to leave mom's basement is simply insulting and demonstrates a complete lack of tact. A nerd convention is some of the greatest moments in a nerds life and is not wasted in mom's basement with a box of tissue paper. The only people who appear to be missing from these events is any significant portion of females with a genuine interest in the event. Of course this excludes the obvious amount of attractive females paid to attend and dress as the very characters the attendees are obsessed with. It is this overwhelming majority of males at these events that drive the male obsession with female nerds. So maybe you have had the fortune of encountering an overabundance of nerd goddesses, but for the rest of us who can still count and list the number of sexy nerds we've met, give me a break.
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