What is Geekspertise?

Geek MugI have a penchant for coining words, and a proclivity for slipping them into my everyday language. I don’t know if I am the first person who has used the word geekspertise, because let’s face it, the human race is running out of original thoughts. Geekspert tumbled out of my mouth when I was trying to find a succinct way to describe a very specific segment of the population without either stroking their egos or being derogatory. Let me connect the dots for you.



geek
noun \ˈgēk\
  1. a computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often considered offensive when used by outsiders).
  2. a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp. one who is perceived to be overly intellectual.
ex·per·tise
noun \ˌek-(ˌ)spər-ˈtēz, -ˈtēs\
  1. expert skill or knowledge; expertness; know-how: business expertise.
  2. a written opinion by an expert, as concerning the authenticity or value of a work of art, manuscript, etc.
Geeks have absorbed way more knowledge of a small selection of subjects than most people would find useful. Members of the tribe can be very sensitive about their stores of knowledge, and even the slightest challenge can deteriorate into an interminable geek pissing contest. On the flip side, stroking a geek’s ego may result in said geek’s proclamation of subject matter expertise coupled with insufferable smugness. One must tread lightly around this testy lot.

That’s how I arrived at geekspertise. A geekspert is someone who lives in the grey area between being knowledegable and being a subject matter expert on a couple of topics. In other words, a geekspert knows way too much about too little. Geekspertise is the act of wielding one’s narrow band of knowledge as though life depended on it.

In the essence of full disclosure, I am a self-proclaimed geek, so don’t get your underoos in a twist. Everything I’ve said so far applies to most members of the tribe, myself included. All I’ve set out to do here is peddle my geek wares, and shine a positive light on some of the other geeksperts out there.