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Are we Nerds, Geeks...etc.??

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  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Friday, November 18, 2005 8:12 AM
 benchman wrote:

Hey eizzle........I be from the midwest (Kansas).

There's a lot of "rednecks" around here and modeling doesn't fit in with the truck drivin', demolition derby, gettin' wasted.....good ol' buddies trying to "out macho" each other.

 

Sounds just like Greencaste... a bunch of mid-twenties dipCensored [censored] trying to be cowboysBig Smile [:D] Oh well, they are certainly good for a laugh!

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 18, 2005 4:28 AM

Hey Benchman.

I'm 47 and a few years ago about 2002, I met this woman who I thought I'd like to date. As we talked and got onto the subject of what interests we had she said that she really didn't have any. I told her of my two hobbies, bicycle racing and model building. When I mentioned the model building she started to smile and snickered. I asked her what was so funny and she replied, "You build models? Isn't that for kids?" At which time I said to her, well, if you think it's for kids, I sold three of my built models for $850 this year so far so there's more to building models than you think.  After saying that to her, I smiled, stood up and said, at least I have interests and hobbies, you're just boring, and I walked out of Starbucks grinning ear to ear.  Now I'm engaged and getting married in June to a true cutie and sweetheart of a woman who loves the fact that I have interesting hobbies and she's amazed at the work I do with models.

So be proud of the fact that you have an interesting hobby and when someone says something negative about model building, throw a historical or technical fact in their face about a model you built to let them know there's more to modeling than gluing parts together. It's a form or capturing history or expanding the imagination. And if they say something negative about imagination, remind them that without imagination, we would have never made it to the moon.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 18, 2005 2:24 AM
 Honestly scale modelling seems to be the most "mature" hobby I have. Im 35 and married and dont care what others think.  When we bought our house 4 years ago I told my wife I wanted to build a half pipe in the back yard of course she gave me the look, but gave in later.  But old age and the fear of getting hurt stopped the project.  I also still play old school table top rpgs and have a 4'x8' battletech urban setup not a diorama but a usable miniature setting.  I love mmorgps and am hopelessly addicted to World of Warcraft and Everquest before it.  I also am fairly active in midevil recreation and sew my own clothes and build my own armor.  I have a 2 suits of armor displayed in our dinning room.  1 is a 1400's era plate and the other is a suspesion laced japanese 1700's era.  My favorite music is punk 70's and 80's only.  I also build my own computers (of course).  So there it is I believe you find me to be a geek.
  • Member since
    February 2003
Posted by benchman on Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:56 PM

Hey eizzle........I be from the midwest (Kansas).

There's a lot of "rednecks" around here and modeling doesn't fit in with the truck drivin', demolition derby, gettin' wasted.....good ol' buddies trying to "out macho" each other.

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:47 PM

I have had my experiences with people calling my hobby 'playing' or 'geekish'. But I do not care what others think or say! It is what I like to do and my wife is 100% behind it! My ex was not and my mental attitude suffered for it. Everyone needs an 'out' to relax and have some fun. Work and life in general is stressful enough. Let people say and think what they want. I will be the one left standing with my head on straight!

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Central USA
Posted by qmiester on Thursday, November 17, 2005 8:02 PM

I've been reading (and laughing with) this forum and made a decision.  I'm none of the above.  I build models and enjoy it - therefore, I'm a modeler.  Nothing more or nothing less.

One of my pet peeves with our society today is the habit of giving people labels (either to give a sense of ridicule or a sense of being something better).  My wife is not a "Domestic Engineer".  She is (and she agrees) a "Housewife".  I'm not an "Aircraft Technician".  I'm an "Aircraft Mechanic" and proud of it.  (A mechanic fixes/repairs things while 95% of the time, a "technician" removes and replaces things.  There is a difference)

Quincy
  • Member since
    January 2013
  • From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posted by McSquid on Thursday, November 17, 2005 6:16 PM
Great name! Anyone know a model-maker in the film industry? Imagine the credits on a Spielberg flick, "Head Dork...........Joe Blow."
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Thursday, November 17, 2005 9:16 AM

 subfixer wrote:
I am not a geek nor a nerd, I am a dork!

Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D]Laugh [(-D] Goods One!

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Thursday, November 17, 2005 9:13 AM
 subfixer wrote:
I am not a geek nor a nerd, I am a dork!


Laugh [(-D] Subfixer, you should put a warning on your posts. I was drinking my coffee!

By the way, your sig line scares the @#$% out of me!

So long folks!

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Thursday, November 17, 2005 9:07 AM
I am not a geek nor a nerd, I am a dork!

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    January 2013
  • From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posted by McSquid on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 9:01 PM
Benchman, I'm 46 and reengaging the hobby after a 20 year break. I think you ask a worthwhile question, "what are we?" Geek and Nerd have been assumed and rehabilitated by the IT industry. We refer to Electronics Technicians as Twidgets in the Navy, another admirable title, I think. When I was in school and was the only one of my friends building, I was a Glue-sniffer, funny but not accurate. They teased me a bit but when I gave away a finished model, it always found a place of honor in the recipient's apartment/dorm room/snake ranch. Some one more creative than me will have to come with a good catchy label. With my humble skills, you could call me a "toy-breaker." Cheers.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Flatlander on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 10:11 AM

Benchman, I am an unrepentant geek in my profession (science), my hobbies (modeling, machine work), and in my entertainment (reading).

Actually, telling someone about my hobby is a good filter.  If they give me, " I thought building models was something kids did", I can be almost sure they'll be of no interest to me and vice versa.  My experience has been that the "sophisticates" who look down their noses at modelers spend their time instead on other deeply enriching activities that don't interest me.

On the other hand, if someone shows an interest in modeling, or better yet, shares the hobby, I find I usually like spending time with them.  Patience, research, attention to detail, the pleasure of creativity - these "geek virtues" are found in people I tend to like.  (I also homebrew beer, and I find the same virtues in this group too.)

Geekism is vastly underestimated.

 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 8:40 AM
I am currently getting my 5 year old daughter into modeling. She has built a VW bug with custom paint Wink [;)] and an F-14 with... uh... urban camoflauge! My 6 year old nephew wants to build, and after trying ot talk his dad into sitting down and helping him build one, I have decided that I have to do it! He said no, he doesn't see the point. I guess some people just don't get it, but htats ok, it just erked me that his father won't sit down with him and help him for an hour or so. I know my father always looked at my models when I was a kid, and always said they looked good. Now that i grew up, he came in my room the other day (I confess, I live at home, and I'm 27. Does anybody know a better way to save money for a wedding? Smile [:)]) and was amazed at how much my models had improved over the years, and its all thanks to him getting me started and helping me with my first kit! My fiancee doesn't particulary care for the hobby. She doesn't bad mouth me or building kits, she just finds it boring. Not her cup of tea, no big deal, she still thinks some of them are "way cool, dude", just don't try to take her and a 5 year old girl to a hobby store. You will be sorry, they get bored, and I get to chase them around telling them to stop shaking the boxesClown [:o)] The owner thinks its great, he said his wife is the same way.

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: NYC
Posted by kp80 on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 7:22 AM

Hey Benchman, I'm the same age as you, have a wife very supportive of my hobby (she probably feels that this is the lesser of all evils), and as an engineer, find that modeling is the perfect creative outlet.  I started as a young kid, probably 7 or 8, and never lost my love of it, although I went through periods where I just could not find the time.  Now that my kids are in their late teens, I do have the time, and recently got back into it more seriously.

My observation is this...just go to a any craft store and see the legions of people, mostly women, who are engaged in some sort of creative outlet.  OK, so they like the floral stuff and the knick-knacks, but a creative outlet nonetheless.  At work, I leave my issues of FSM out in plain sight, and a lot of people like to look at them and just say "wow" at some of the photos.  Modeling also keeps us a little connected to our youth.

I have a patent for a container handling system and was thankful that I could build a couple of static models to explain the system, which is too complicated to explain on paper.  I got to display them at trade shows, and enjoyed seeing folks' reaction to what they saw.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a model is worth a thousand pictures!

Have fun!

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Greencastle, IN
Posted by eizzle on Monday, November 14, 2005 6:46 PM
I don't think of myself as a nerd or a geek. Some people just have to talk bad about people that do things they don't understand or don't care for. Some people think since they don't like it, its wrong to do it. I HATE PEOPLE LIKE THAT!! Angry [:(!] The way described your town sounds like you live around my neck of the woods? Where are you from Benchman?

Colin

 Homer Simpson for president!!!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 14, 2005 5:20 PM
Well-I don't give the south end of a rat for what people think of my hobby. One time I brought 2 1/72 airplanes to work as props for a one page featurette on diversions (in a golfcourse management magazine of all things) people were so impressed. I think most just don't understand how serious this hobby is until they see the end results.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Charlotte, NC
Posted by armorman on Monday, November 14, 2005 4:04 PM
My wife is happy that I have a hobby that I can 'crawl' into. My friends and relatives are fine with it. I do have some friends that look at me funny when I tell them what my hobby is. It's my prerogative, if they don't like it, it's ok by me. I LOVE THIS HOBBY!!!!!
Next Up: 1/35 Tamiya Merkava 1/48 Tamiya King Tiger 1/35 Dragon M1A1 AIM
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Oak Harbor, WA
Posted by Kolja94 on Saturday, November 12, 2005 12:40 AM
 smokinguns3 wrote:
benchman The mental picture ill be scared the rest of my adult life LOL.My problem is i cant seem to get any sleep and when i do all i dream about is models and dont mean the bodashish blonde kind,is that a bad thing dreaming about models? Well if i cant buy it i can atleast dream about it.


Strangely enough, some of the ideas for my current project have in fact come in my sleep.  I confess - THAT part has me worried about myself a bit!Shock [:O]

Karl

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: San Tan Valley,AZ
Posted by smokinguns3 on Saturday, November 12, 2005 12:17 AM
benchman The mental picture ill be scared the rest of my adult life LOL.My problem is i cant seem to get any sleep and when i do all i dream about is models and dont mean the bodashish blonde kind,is that a bad thing dreaming about models? Well if i cant buy it i can atleast dream about it.
Rob I think i can I think i can
  • Member since
    February 2003
Posted by benchman on Friday, November 11, 2005 9:32 PM

Wow!!
I hadn't checked in for a few days and was impressed with the discussion. Thanks for all the replys and input.

I think I'll strip off my clothes and run around the neighborhood naked yelling "I like to model, I like to model!!"..............anybody getting a visual on that!!

On second thought, it's kinda cold out right now and there might be an issue with "shrinkage".

Time to get back to work...........I got one kid out of the house and my modelling is moving from a cramped corner into the vacated room!

benchman

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: CT - USA
Posted by thevinman on Friday, November 11, 2005 8:42 PM
 Kolja94 wrote:

And when all else fails, the Harley in the garage counterbalances most thoughts of geekdom Cool [8D]

That's what I'm sayin'!


My Harley

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Friday, November 11, 2005 7:44 PM

 Kolja94 wrote:
A serious reply this time Big Smile [:D]

I guess that way they see the results first, so there's none of the comments like the one mentioned above about "I thought you meant like what my little brother did when we were kids."  They instead see something with a modicum of craftsmanship and that took a bit of effort.

yeah that's the reaction they gave once they DID see what I build... and same response.. I have more requests than time right now.  From my sister in law wanting to build a 'boy's treatment room' to complement the girls one at her pediatric dental practice to people at work...  I need to save one of my better ones for my office... that's where I heard that comment...

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Oak Harbor, WA
Posted by Kolja94 on Friday, November 11, 2005 7:11 PM
 David Voss wrote:
 Kolja94 wrote:
I also have my "better" completed projects on the large bookcase in my living room, so anyone who comes over to my house sees it and most are at least intrigued if not necesarily "wow"ed..

I probably shouldn't admit this on a modeling site, but we have diecast items inside our entertainment center in the living room.  I think there's at least one NASCAR car (that's my wife's) and the next shelf is an F-16 and a bunch of little tanks (for my boys Wink [;)]).  Anyways, I was thinking about them while reading Kolja's post and wonder if there's a double standard when it comes to what people think of diecast vs. modeling?  Do you think people think differently of someone who collects and is interested in diecast vs. someone who collects and builds models?


I submit that might be true of people who just "hear" about someone who builds models without actually seeing it.  I think LOTS of folks who don't see the level of work that can be accomplished in our hobby really do equate it to what their kid brother did way back when.

While there are stories of people who are stubborn in their prejudices, the vast majority of stories I've heard is that when folks actually SEE what the hobby can produce, they come around to at least respect it if not embrace itSmile [:)]

Karl

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Friday, November 11, 2005 5:37 PM
 Kolja94 wrote:
A serious reply this time Big Smile [:D]
And when all else fails, the Harley in the garage counterbalances most thoughts of geekdom Cool [8D]


Nah, that just makes you a Heavy Geek! Big Smile [:D]

So long folks!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Waukesha, WI
Posted by David Voss on Friday, November 11, 2005 5:26 PM
 Kolja94 wrote:
I also have my "better" completed projects on the large bookcase in my living room, so anyone who comes over to my house sees it and most are at least intrigued if not necesarily "wow"ed..

I probably shouldn't admit this on a modeling site, but we have diecast items inside our entertainment center in the living room.  I think there's at least one NASCAR car (that's my wife's) and the next shelf is an F-16 and a bunch of little tanks (for my boys Wink [;)]).  Anyways, I was thinking about them while reading Kolja's post and wonder if there's a double standard when it comes to what people think of diecast vs. modeling?  Do you think people think differently of someone who collects and is interested in diecast vs. someone who collects and builds models?
David Voss Senior Web Developer Kalmbach Publishing Co. Join me on the FSM Map
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: San Tan Valley,AZ
Posted by smokinguns3 on Friday, November 11, 2005 4:53 PM
 tho9900 wrote:

 

And as far as smokinggun3... how close are you to Phoenix?  that is becoming a miniature Silicon Valley, as is Salt Lake and Provo, Utah... rent is cheap for them, and so is the non skilled labor! 

Man iam about 60 miles out thats like 120 miles round trip the closest town to me is supirior az about 15 miles away and thats like a gost town and then there apache juction not much there either ive used temp agencys tech agencys they tell me there isnt any openings right now but they would keep me posted, as for unix/linux not my stronge suit as same thing goes for novell,netware iam better at windows OS's i even have the CCNA book that came with router sim. As of right now iam just trying to get my foot in the door so to speak.

Rob I think i can I think i can
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Oak Harbor, WA
Posted by Kolja94 on Friday, November 11, 2005 4:40 PM
A serious reply this time Big Smile [:D]

It rarely comes up in conversation at work - but I don't go out of my way to hide it.  There's a couple other builders at work (since we all fly, aircraft is the main subject - one dude even has a few on his desk, but over in my office there's too many imprompto nerf football attacks for me to do the same!).  I also have my "better" completed projects on the large bookcase in my living room, so anyone who comes over to my house sees it and most are at least intrigued if not necesarily "wow"ed..

I guess that way they see the results first, so there's none of the comments like the one mentioned above about "I thought you meant like what my little brother did when we were kids."  They instead see something with a modicum of craftsmanship and that took a bit of effort.

And when all else fails, the Harley in the garage counterbalances most thoughts of geekdom Cool [8D]

Karl

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Friday, November 11, 2005 4:33 PM
I never have seen the correllation between a modeler and a nerd/geek.  Sure we had some in the club who never ventured out of their bedroom in daylight, never bathed, lived on Dorrito's and Mt.Dew, and built nothing but vinyl models of dark lords and women with over-sized busts.  Then again, they also lived in a comic book world and were more than geeky, for instead of a pocket protector, they would wear a shrunken head around their neck and carried a sword,  they were just weird.  The rest of us were MVP footbal players, members in rock bands, fighter pilots and KC135 tanker crew members, motorcycle and stockcar racers, politicians, nurses, bartenders, construction workers, and engineers. 

Now I do get the quizitive looks when people come to my house and see my models and my dungeon that is my workshop, but more out of interest and respect than a sense of "boy, he's in a far off world".  I guess I do not show as compulsive/obsessive attitude that sterotypes the personna of geek/nerd.  Maybe I am a closet case?

I also do RC planes and rockets, the later, no thanks to all the old Estes adds and Model Rocketry  showing kids with BC glasses and pocket protectors, will never erase the image of rocketeer = geek.

Scott

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: A secret workshop somewhere in England
Posted by TANGO 1 on Friday, November 11, 2005 2:27 PM
We are most certainly not nerds or geeks! I tell all my workmates about my hobby and show them what I build too. Some have even asked me to build for them. I've never come across an adverse reaction from others when asked what my hobby is.

If someone looks down on you because you enjoy model making they are the one with the problem-not you.
Regards, Darren. C.A.G. FAA/USNFAW GB
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