Petition aims to make definition of Geek more positive in dictionaries

Here at Burn Media, we love geeks. They’re our bread and butter. Heck, most of us count ourselves as geeks and even got into the jobs we’re in based partly on our geeky obsessions.

It’s fair to say, therefore, that we view the term geek as positive thing. According to a group of concerned geeks however, a number of dictionaries still don’t.

In a bid to remedy that, they’ve put up an online petition urging all dictionaries to change their definition of the word geek to something a little more positive.

Despite being a front for an advertising agency, it doesn’t look like the group is doing this just for the kicks, given that it has the support of British writer, actor and humorist Stephen Fry.

Think geek is good? The dictionaries don't. Vote at http://t.co/VaZ5hLtmnK for change.

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) September 11, 2013

According to the group:

There are dictionaries out there that still look down on geeks and mis-define them as outcasts. We think that this is wrong. Where would we be without Geeks? They’re heroes. Gods. Saviours. At Google, they’re the new rock stars. And those of you who buy the boring, socially inept myth; where would your own social life be without them? Ever clicked “I’m attending” on a Facebook event page? Geeks made Facebook.

Moreover, the group notes, we’re pretty much all geeks now:

We’re all Geeks deep down. Face it, we’re mad for the new Star Trek films and season 5 of Breaking Bad. We all status update, tweet, tumble and Instagram. We set our Sky box to record Game of Thrones. All a bit geeky, isn’t it? So say it loud, “I’m a Geek!” And say it proud. Or at #geekisgood tweet about it. We Geeks are not boring, or unattractive. We’re what makes the world more interesting. So join us in a petition for all dictionaries to rethink geek. Vote to agree that Geek is Good with the button above.

We’re not sure what the reaction of various dictionaries around the world will be to the campaign, but we hope that the ones willing to include terms like “phablet”, “srsly”, and “derp” at least take the time to listen to what these people are trying to say.