GEEK CULTURE

The 25th of May is also internationally as Geek Pride Day. But what is a geek? And how do you know if you are one?

What is a geek?

• Originally, the word “geek” was used with a negative connotation to describe someone who had poor social skills and was interested in indoor, non-physical activities… but the word has evolved gr eatly over the past years : now, it is a term used to describe someone who likes popular culture (for example video games, science-fiction, fantasy, popular movie franchises such as Marvel, etc.) and who knows a lot about these subjects. Today, being a geek is even considered fashionable , and many communities of geeks have gatherings to discuss their shared passions.

What is Geek Pride Day ?

• Geek Day is celebrated on the 25th of May because on this day in 1977, the first Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope, was released. Geek Pride Day is an entire day dedicated to the importance of interests and hobbies that are important to many people ar ound the world. Because in the past, geeks may have felt alienated from others because they didn’t like popular and social hobbies like sports, Geek Pride Day is a day where geeks around the world can show off the hobbies and interests that are important to them. It is a worldwide celebration of acceptance, pride and commemoration of geekdom !

Geek Day celebrations

• Geek Day started being celebrated after a Spanish blogger called Germán Martínez chose the 25th of May to coincide with the release of the first Star Wars movie, as it is a movie franchise that is very popular within the geek community. In 2006, he had the idea of starting a day dedicated to celebrating “geekiness”, and from there Geek Pride Day became very popular on the internet. On the first Geek Pride Day, 300 people played a game of human Pacman in Madrid. It was first celebrated in the United States of America in 2008, and by 2010 even countries like Canada, Hungary, Romania and Sweden started to participate in its celebration.

How to celebrate

• This day is all about celebrating geek culture and doing what you love. Whether you want to re-watch all of the Lord of the Rings movies with your friends, spend the whole day playing video games, or start an online conversation discussing your favourite fantasy books with people who also love the genre… it’s all up to you !

Pop Culture Quizz

Lingo

> Which movie franchise is famous for its quote:

“ May the force be with you? ”

> What is the name of the volcano where Frodo must go to destroy the ring in Lord of the Rings?

> How many Harry Potter books are there in total?

> Which other Avenger except Thor was able to pick up Thor’s hammer Mjolnir in Avengers : Endgame?

> What board game do the characters in Stranger Things play together in the beginning of season one?

Solutions en page 31