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Elizabeth Perle

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Welcome To 'Geek Like Me'

Posted: 09/09/2011 12:07 pm

This is like that moment when someone intones, in half-seriousness, "Luke, I am your father!" and the words, "You know, Vader doesn't actually say that in The Empire Strikes Back..." fly out of my mouth, despite my very best efforts to hold them in. It's not (just) that I'm pedantic -- it's that I really, really, really love Star Wars. And they're getting it wrong.

This is a new column for geeks; for people like me who have an all-consuming interest -- whether convenient, popular, or even advisable -- in subjects other people may deem nerdy, weird, trivial, or childish. Welcome to "Geek Like Me."

Every week we'll feature a different voice from the community, dissecting aspects of geek culture spanning comics, TV, movies, games, and community events, both online and off (including cons!).

I know, I know. Geek culture is mainstream now, right? So why create yet another space to share our thoughts on superheroes, wizards, space, math, webcomics, and Python (even Monty)? Why bother?

Because I care about Isaac Asimov, and have ever since my mother gave me her copy of Foundation when other girls my age were reading The Babysitters Club.

Because I care about Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and I will debate with anyone, anytime, who argues that inter-dimensional beings are somehow less improbable (or less awesome) than the existence of the Holy Grail.

Because I care about girls and women on TV who seriously pwn, from Daria, to Veronica Mars, to Elena Gilbert, to Starbuck, to River Song.

And because I care about direwolves. A lot.

So, to anyone who scoffs at all this, and says, 'who cares?' We do. Geeks who love Star Wars or Star Trek. Geeks who love space or anime or microbiology. Fen, cosplayers, Gleeks, LARPers, Twi-hards, Browncoats, and Liz Lemonists too. That's what this column is about: owning our diverse geekery and reveling (or wallowing) in it.

Which brings us to the real question: what do you care about?

Write us your defense of the Harry Potter Battlestar Galactica Lost Hunger Games ending, your ode to Felicia Day, or your plans for fan fiction starring Han Solo and James Bond wearing matching chaps and fighting aliens (Oh, wait...).

And if you want to include an angry comment in Elvish, Klingon, Na'vi, or Dothraki, we will, of course, approve it -- just don't forget to spell a lot of words badly.

To kick things off, I'm thrilled to introduce the nerdiest actor-director-writer brothers on the interwebs, Rider Strong and Shiloh Strong, who have written a piece for us that will warm your geekstrings. (As will their short film, The Dungeon Master, which you can check out here.)

If you'd like to submit your own work -- or need a sympathetic ear for any blu-ray related angst you may be feeling right now -- email me at elizabeth.perle@huffingtonpost.com.

May the Force be with you, always.


 

Follow Elizabeth Perle on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lizperle

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PRONESE
Somewhat Opinionated Curmudgeon
10:55 AM on 09/30/2011
Amateur Radio Operators.
The Original Electronic and Radio Geeks.
Links:
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio
Link: http://www.arrl.org/
Link: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=amateur
*
More Coffee...
R/ PRONESE
10:05 AM on 09/12/2011
My problem with Indiana Jones...Crystal Skull isn't the premise. I have no problem suspending disbelief for aliens, magic, religious whateverness, etc. However, I do have a problem with Shia Lebeouf swinging on vines through a jungle to catch up with speeding Jeeps. He is neither Tarzan nor George of the Jungle, characters from whom I would accept such a feat. He is, in fact, a greaser kid. Things I will accept from a greaser character: motorcycle riding skills, ability to fix anything by hitting it once, hidden switchblades, scrappy boxing, and tough guy quips.

Aren't you at least happy I didn't bring up the refridgerator?
11:29 PM on 09/11/2011
Marry me, Elizabeth!

We could have a Star Wars themed in-game RPG wedding, with all our favourite NPCs in attendance! Have you even SEEN Boba Fett in a tux? Quite classy I tell you. I've lined up the Max Rebo Band for the Hoth-themed reception. We'll serve a choice of chicken or bantha.

After a passionate wedding night of min-maxing and rerolls we could then consult offspring generation charts to determine how our faction could develop! Think of the character sheets we could fill out!

All jokes (they're not really!) aside, great idea for HuffPo!

I'll be reading all the posts :)
05:23 PM on 09/09/2011
This is exciting and I cant wait to read more!!!!
05:19 PM on 09/09/2011
I can't wait to see more of this column! Awesome idea and kudos to HuffPo for featuring it.
03:31 PM on 09/09/2011
I'm a fan of well-written geek discourse... guess that's the snob in me. As long as it exists about the "I PWN NOOBS" level, I'm good. And that's why I'm a fan of Ms. Perle. Oh, and for those who are wondering... it's "No. *I* am your father."
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jf12
Occupying myself
02:28 PM on 09/09/2011
Sex, politics, religion.
01:45 PM on 09/09/2011
i love twilight