Geek Culture Research Articles

Streaming out of the spiral of silence. Women’s visibility in gaming community and on twitch

Women’s entrance into male-dominated spaces has always been a contentious process, fraught with conflicts surrounding the legitimacy of their participation. This paper aims to offer an account of those conflicts in the field of gaming and geek culture through the lens of the spiral of silence theory. In light of this frame, we can see the history of women’s presence in this social field as composed of four phases. In Phase 1 (1980-2010), gaming was established as a masculine space, where women could gain conditional acceptance only as long as they refrained from voicing issues related to their identities and experiences. In Phase 2, the spiral of silence started to be broken during the wave of “geek feminism” of the early 2010s, when online communities gave voice and visibility to women participating in the culture. In Phase 3, misogynistic backlash erupted in the form of #GamerGate (2014), a campaign of harassment that portrayed gaming culture as under threat from feminists and “social justice warriors”. Today, we are living through Phase 4, where the conflicts around women’s presence have found a new battleground on Twitch.tv, which we explored through interviews with gaming streamers and netnographic observation of their channels. Our aim is to bring into relief how the cultural codes inherited from geek culture and the affordances of the platform coalesce to create an often-hostile environment for women, who must perform different forms of emotion management in order to establish themselves as legitimate actors against sexist expectations.

Visions of degeneracy

Previous research on discourses of gender, sexuality and race in role-playing games (RPGs) finds that they favour a white, heterosexual, cis-male perspective, (re)producing stereotypes that are misogynist, homophobic and racist. This article uses feminist critical discourse analysis to examine a game with a reputation for challenging conventions of the genre and the medium, the fantasy RPG Exalted (2001– ). An analysis of 31 sourcebooks shows how many of the harmful discourses present in wider geek culture are interwoven with progressive ideas in the second edition of Exalted. Specifically, women’s roles are limited to those of virgin, (monstrous) mother or ‘prostitute’; sexual ‘deviance’ is pathologised; and a colonial geopolitics of race, sex and gender is reproduced. Given the importance of gaming culture to contemporary popular culture and politics, the study advocates for ethnographic engagement with actual gameplay to supplement feminist analysis of RPG sourcebooks.

:The Privilege of Play: A History of Hobby Games, Race, and Geek Culture

:<i>The Privilege of Play: A History of Hobby Games, Race, and Geek Culture</i>

Geek nostalgia: The reflective and restorative defence of white male geek culture

During recent decades, geek culture has become increasingly visible, and the geek has left the cultural margins, becoming more popular than ever. At the same time, nostalgia has emerged as a central component of geek culture. Framed by a post-structural understanding of gender and race and drawing on cultural theorist Svetlana Boym’s distinction between reflective and restorative nostalgia, this article explores how and why geeks nostalgically long for a time when they were largely marginalized. We combine readings of Swedish online geek podcasts and YouTube channels with ethnographic visits to geek conferences and pop-cultural “geek fairs,” such as Comic Con and SciFiWorld. We argue that geek nostalgia represents a clinging on to a “constitutive wound,” allowing the geek figure to mobilize masculine victimhood in ways that simultaneously underpin geek privilege and allow the geek to continue operating as a white male gatekeeper of geek culture.

De la resiliencia a la autonomía. Las frikis de Guadalajara y su construcción de modelos de conducta a partir de la cultura friki

El objetivo de este artículo es explicar el proceso de construcción de modelos de conducta de las frikis de Guadalajara a partir de los personajes de las narrativas fantásticas que forman parte de la cultura friki en México, desde una perspectiva de género. A través del método etnográfico se identificaron los personajes más significativos para las frikis investigadas, sus características, así como los modelos de conducta que éstas construyen derivados de sus enseñanzas, tales como el modelo de resiliencia, el modelo de empoderamiento, el modelo de autoestima y el modelo de autonomía.

More 1980s than the 1980s

This article analyzes the close relation between synthwave music and cinema, focusing on the role played by the former in paradigmatic films and TV series from the 1980s and the 2010s. To the two eras correspond two sets of semantic “associations,” which designate the functions and connotations embodied by synthwave in the cinematic context. The first analysis focuses on the context in which the association between the two protagonists of this affair has taken place for the first time, trying to understand why sci-fi cinema is often privileged when it comes to the association with (proto-)synthwave music—especially soundtracks by Tangerine Dream, John Carpenter, Giorgio Moroder and Vangelis, which are often referred to as main sources of inspiration for contemporary synthwave. The result is a first set of two “first-order associations” between synthwave and sci-fi cinema on the one side, and with the 1980s geek culture on the other. The focus then shifts towards the present times, exploring the ways in which synthwave soundtracks remediate 1980s popular culture by employing two “second-order associations” between synthwave and mediated, hyperreal versions of the 1980s and its products. In particular, the protagonists of this second analysis are the functions of synthwave soundtracks as an “age-synecdoche” and as an “aesthetic mediator,” especially in the series Stranger Things, in the movie It Follows, and in the late works by director Nicolas Winding Refn.

Harnessing Geek Culture for Mental Health Transformation: A Proposed Theory in Psychology

This paper presents a revolutionary theory in psychology, delving into the transformative possibilities of utilizing geek culture as a potent catalyst for behavioral change. In contemporary society, geek culture, defined by fervent interests in video games, comics, science fiction, and technology, has emerged as a prominent and influential force. The theory advanced here contends that the captivating and immersive qualities inherent in geek culture can serve as a compelling tool to shape and redirect behaviors. By leveraging the passion and engagement fostered within geek communities, this theory proposes a distinctive avenue for psychological intervention. It explores the prospect of channeling the intrinsic motivation and communal dynamics prevalent in geek culture to enact meaningful and positive changes in individuals' behaviors. This innovative approach signifies a departure from conventional psychological interventions, positioning geek culture as an untapped resource with the potential to redefine the landscape of behavioral change strategies.

Why &lt;em&gt;Monopoly&lt;/em&gt; Monopolises Popular Culture Board Games

Why &lt;em&gt;Monopoly&lt;/em&gt; Monopolises Popular Culture Board Games

Mi norte tiene superpoderes: Construyendo modelos de conducta a partir de la cultura friki

Este artículo explica qué es la cultura friki en México, cuáles son las comunidades de fans que la integran, así como el proceso a través del cual los frikis construyen sus modelos de conducta a partir de las narrativas fantásticas que la conforman. Mediante el método etnográfico se pudo observar que la cultura friki está constituida por comunidades de fans de ciertas narrativas fantásticas (cómics, anime, videojuegos) y que los frikis construyen sus modelos de conducta inspirados por ellas, en función de su etapa de vida y de las necesidades de guía que requieren en ese momento.

Geek girl today, scientist tomorrow? Inclusive experiences and efficacy mediate the link between women's engagement in popular geek culture and STEM career interest

ABSTRACT Evidence suggests that participating in geek pop culture (e.g. fandoms, digital gaming, live action role playing, board gaming, etc.) can enhance women's interest in STEM by increasing their STEM-related efficacy. This study proposed that this effect hinges on the type of social experiences that women have in geek culture. Inclusive experiences were expected to enhance STEM-related efficacy, while experiences of hostile sexism in these spaces were expected to diminish STEM-related efficacy. An online survey of both U.S. MTurk users (N = 77) and undergraduate students (N = 172) under the age of 30 demonstrated that inclusive experiences and STEM-related efficacy does serially mediate the effect of geek culture engagement on interest in STEM careers. A second model examining the indirect effect of geek engagement on STEM career interest through hostile sexism and STEM-efficacy was not significant. These findings underscore the broader implications of creating a welcoming environment for women in geek culture. They also suggest that women who experience hostile sexism in geek culture and continue to participate might have a general tolerance of toxic geek masculinity.

Personal identity in the space of virtual culture: on the example of geek and glam subcultures

Purpose. The article presents exploring the cultural and anthropological traits of consumers and producers of cultural services and products in the digital epoch. There have been singled out two types of cultural subjectivity according to the aim of a person’s activity in the virtual net: either production of things, services, and technologies or the consumption and creative use of all mentioned innovations. So these sociocultural formations are called "geek" and "chic" subcultures. Theoretical basis. The historical genealogy of the definitions was analyzed, so as the changes in social esteem of the contribution of geeky persons to modern art and design practices. Social and cultural identities of those who belong to the modern youth-subcultural communities have been formed according to the topology and temporality of digital trends. To explain the worldview characteristics of the members of those subcultures the concept of "the New Middle Ages" was used to discover the values and pursuits of those who represent geek and chic subcultures. The study is based on the theoretical works of such classical authors as A. Toffler, and Z. Bauman, as well as current investigators of youth cultures. They are Calum Finister, Thomas V. Pollet, Nick Neave, Jessica McCain, Billy Wong. The chic subculture is oriented toward the imitation of visual images, consumer habits, and the way of life of successful (or seemed to be such) people. Glamorous followers need to receive approvals and likes from like-minded people. The geek subculture is more inner-sense-oriented. It unites intellectuals and activists who have common creative intentions. Originality. There have been analyzed the main attributes and features of such modern subcultures were conditionally named chic and geek. They were analyzed in the context of the concept of the New Middle Ages. Conclusions. The virtual user’s life world seems to be diverse only quantitatively, but qualitatively it is as narrow, mythopoetic, and esoterically uncritical as the world of the Medieval person, who used to live the whole life in the same place, mai in one’s village. But thanks to the merger of the IT industry with effective social management, the geek culture becomes a powerful super-subculture that defends values of social good, industrial productivity, and cultural creativity. Chic subculture creates new trends in fashion and art discourse. It develops modern lifestyles, its visual images with which our era will be associated in the future.

“Gangsta Chi”

This article sheds light on the pervasive yet largely uncommented upon presence of geek culture and Orientalism in hip hop, revealing the constructed, performed, and mediated nature of racialized masculinity in popular culture. By observing a range of media artifacts but concentrating on RZA’s memoir The Tao of the Wu (2009), this article contends that geeky hip hop Orientalism performs a strategy of style codeswitching, wherein the combination of intellectualism and the fantasized East expand the repertoire of Black masculinity and fantastical worldmaking. Heavy in Orientalist themes that mirror the hyper intellectualism associated with geekiness, The Tao of the Wu evinces the strong bond between geek culture and early hip hop music. Specifically, this article focuses on RZA’s mental cultivation over physicality and his enchantment by children’s media culture (comics, anime, and kung fu cinema). Merging hip hop and geek culture, which conventionally appear to exist on opposite poles, results in new interracial paradigms of geek and hip hop representations. Hip hop geekiness largely detours from an otherwise presumed whiteness in routing itself along a storied legacy of African American Orientalism. In this way, geeky hip hop Orientalism contributes to more queered and quotidian versions of Afro Asian aesthetics, politics, and interracial fantasy worlds. A deep consideration of the bonds among hip hop, geekiness, and Orientalism helps to reimagine the embodiments and performances of racialized masculinity, which, though complex and limited, can gesture towards the freedoms promised in a more expansive spectrum of gender and sexual affinities and identities.

Strategic flexibility in a male-dominated occupation: women software engineers in China

ABSTRACT This article builds on a rich literature on the gender gap in software engineering. It further contextualizes the gendering of development work in the Chinese high-tech industry, especially the prevalent overwork norm. The perpetuation of male ascendency is achieved through the gendered hierarchization of subspecialties in software engineering and the embodiment of the geek culture. Nevertheless, women show their resilience and strength in navigating their careers in this male-dominated occupation. This article reveals female programmers’ strategies: flexible assimilation, flexible embodiment, and flexible career development. By this strategic flexibility, the article highlights women’s agency in tactically negotiating gender rules and transgressing gender boundaries in a male-dominated occupation.

Being “geek” in digital communication: The case of Chinese online customer reviews

In popular culture, the stereotypically iconized “geek” can be identified in different media narratives from mainstream television to magazines. Drawing upon insights from sociolinguistics and business communication studies, this paper attempts to identify the discursive constructs of “being geek” in Chinese digital business communication. By collecting the discourse data of online customer reviews from amazon.cn and analyzing the data based on the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis, the study investigates how linguistic mechanisms operate in the shaping of geek culture and the construction of “being geek” in the participatory communication of business. The results revealed lexical variables and generic intertextuality are prominent in the discourse construction of “being geek”, to create a stimulus for a promotional culture in business communication.

Vulnerable narcissism and body image centrality in cosplay practice: A sequential mediation model

In recent years, the cosplay practice has become a ubiquitous activity, representing a pivotal way to get in touch with the so-called geek culture and its media content (such as videogames, comics, manga). Cosplaying appeared related to narcissistic fragility which in turn is strictly linked to social appearance anxiety and self-objectification experiences. However, despite the body image centrality in cosplay practice, no studies evaluated cosplayers’ narcissistic vulnerability in association with these body image-related issues. A total of 926 young adults (73.2% female; 47.3% cosplayer; mean age=25.3 years) participated in the study. Results confirmed the direct and indirect effect of narcissistic vulnerability on social appearance anxiety (via body surveillance and body shame) among both cosplayers and non-cosplayers. Overall, narcissistically vulnerable individuals, regardless of their involvement in cosplay practice, seem to experience higher body surveillance and body shame, which in turn might promote social appearance anxiety.

The relation of geek culture engagement to narcissism and self-esteem: Potential roles of admiration, rivalry, status, and inclusion

Based on previous research and theory, six hypotheses were tested concerning relations of geek culture engagement to grandiose narcissism and self-esteem. A sample of 203 undergraduates completed a questionnaire assessing narcissism with the NARQ (Back et al. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 105, 1013–1037, 2013), self-esteem with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg 1965), and status and inclusion with the scales of Mahadevan et al. (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 116, 444–466, 2019). Measures of geek identity, geek activity, and video gaming also were included. In the main analyses, without or with statistical control for age, gender, and international student status, correlation and sequential multiple regression showed that higher narcissism was associated with greater geek identity, geek activity, video gaming, and their composite. Self-esteem, status, and inclusion showed no relation to the four geek measures with or without demographic statistical control. Consequently, H1 of the present study that higher narcissism is associated with greater attraction to geek culture was strongly supported. H2 that higher self-esteem is associated with attraction to geek culture gained no support. Expected relations of status and inclusion to narcissism and self-esteem were not found, offering no support for H3 or H4. H5 and H6 that status and inclusion can account for some variance in the geek criteria accounted for by narcissism and self-esteem were not supported. Results bolster support for the Great Fantasy Migration hypothesis which holds that when faced with the perception of dire economic circumstances and prospects, narcissists tend to turn to the realms of fantasy and virtual reality in attempting to satisfy their desires for social status and recognition.

“All these worlds are yours except …”: Science Fiction and Folk Fictions at NASA

Although they command real spacecraft exploring the solar system, NASA scientists refer frequently to science fiction in the course of their daily work. Fluency with the Star Trek series and other touchstone works demonstrates membership in broader geek culture. But references to Star Trek, movies like 2001 and 2010, and Dr. Strangelove also do the work of demarcating project team affiliation and position, theorizing social and political dynamics, and motivating individuals in a chosen course of action. As such, science fiction classics serve as local folk fictions that enable embedded commentary on the socio-political circumstances of technoscientific work: in essence, a form of lay social theorizing. Such fiction references therefore allow scientists and engineers to openly yet elliptically discuss their social, political, and interactional environment, all the while maintaining face as credible, impartial, technical experts.

Remember Things: Consumerism, Nostalgia, and Geek Culture in Stranger Things

The Journal of Popular CultureVolume 52, Issue 3 p. 663-677 Article Remember Things: Consumerism, Nostalgia, and Geek Culture in Stranger Things Kayla McCarthy, Kayla McCarthySearch for more papers by this author Kayla McCarthy, Kayla McCarthySearch for more papers by this author First published: 26 July 2019 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpcu.12800Citations: 5Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume52, Issue3June 2019Pages 663-677 RelatedInformation

Geek Culture As a New ‘Image’ of Contemporary Culture

.

Communication and ritual at the comic book shop

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the rituals and communicative practices that simultaneously create community, out-groups and perceptions of stigma at a local comic book retail organization through autoethnography. As such this piece explores personal identity, comic book culture and how this comic book shop acts as important third place as defined by Oldenburg.Design/methodology/approachAutoethnography allows for the simultaneous research into self, organizations and culture. As a layered account, this autoethnography uses narrative vignettes to examine a local comic book retail organization from the first person perspective of a collector, a cultural participant and geek insider.FindingsThe term geek, once brandished as an insult to stigmatize, is now a sense of personal and cultural pride among members. Various rituals including the “white whale” moment and the specialized argot use help maintain community in the comic book shop creating a third place as categorized by Oldenburg. However, these shared communication practices and shared meanings reinforce the hegemonic masculinity of the store, leading the author to wonder if it can maintain its viability going forward.Originality/valueThis autoethnography was performed at a local comic book shop, connecting communicative and ritual practices to organizational culture, hegemonic masculinity, geek culture and personal identity. It also argues that one need not be an embedded organizational insider to perform organizational autoethnography.