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#REDIRECT [[Geek]]
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[[File:Bill Gates in Poland cropped.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bill Gates]], founder of [[Microsoft]], is a famous tech geek.<ref name=NaG/>]]
A '''tech geek''' is a socially awkward person whose interest and proficiency is in [[technology]], especially computers. Such people were stigmatized but are now viewed more positively because their expertise may make them successful in business and their competence makes them useful to others by providing technical advice and assistance.<ref name=NaG>{{citation |url=http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ720371.pdf |title=Nerds and Geeks: Society’s Evolving Stereotypes of Our Students With Gifts and Talents |author=Tracey Cross |pages=26-27 |journal=Gifted Child Today |year=2005 |volume=Vol. 28 |number=no. 4|quote="tech geek" is a common phrase used to describe someone whose passion for technology has made him or her a computer expert}}</ref>
==Controversy==
Tech geek as a term is increasingly used in the pejorative to suggest:
* elitism
* selfishness
* being out of touch
* disingenuousness
* lacking compassion for other human beings.
This is due to a [[backlash]] against them in areas where their presence is becoming burdensome.
Attitudes held by tech geeks have become a subject of public debate. Obnoxious narcissistic exhibitionism by tech geeks, especially the founders of [[start-ups]] have been prominent in the media and indeed such coverage is now a daily occurrence.
Many in the high tech industry agree that before the Dot Com bubble, technology professionals were largely harmless docile men, and that the bubble pulled in many with more abrasive personalities as well as crass people for whom "greed is good".
Tech geeks who have been notorious and condemned include [[Steve Jobs]] and [[Bill Gates]], both of whose management styles involved yelling at people; the founders of [[Napster]]; Nick Starr<ref>Biddle 2014</ref>; [[Peter Shih]]<ref>Wilkey 2013</ref>; and the recently arrested [[Motionloft]] CEO [[Jon Mills]]. <ref>Biddle 2014</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Notes==
* [http://valleywag.gawker.com/startup-ceo-jon-mills-facing-20-years-in-prison-for-fra-1527746232 Biddle,Sam Feb 21, 2014 "Ousted Startup CEO Jon Mills Facing 20 Years in Prison for Fraud",ValleyWag]
* [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/16/peter-shih_n_3768505.html Wilkey, Robin (2013), "Peter Shih '10 Things I Hate About You' Post Draws San Francisco's Ire, Confirms Startup Stereotypes",Huffington Post]
[[category:computing culture]]
[[category:stereotypes]]
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