Geeks: The Fifth Emergency service

Everybody knows one, if not several. They are the retro gaming shirt-wearing, cable wielding, often ale drinking, Geek. Once shunned by society and left to their own devices in darkened rooms striving to collect every last coin on Sonic or building robot mods for their Gameboys (http://tinyurl.com/69c5pad), they are now growing in stature.


Far from being the outcasts of society the geek label is now a ticket to ride. Businesses across the land are calling out for Geeks to keep their offices running and the emails flowing. They build the gadgets which we use, and the software which runs them. They craft the visual effects in films which we watch, and provide the means for us to zip around the internet poking and twittering away like crazy.


What would the blackberry clutching, Ugg boot wearing class of ladies do if it wasn't for the tireless work of geeks? Many an ice queen has been melted by the heroic rescue of a Geek in shining armour. It always amuses me to watch the interaction between a so called Geek and someone that has realised they are entirely powerless after wading into the technological quagmire of the digital age.


If you drill down into the majority of companies, particularly start ups, I guarantee you wont have to look hard to find a techie whose responsibility and power within the organisation has sky-rocketed in recent times (although if you asked many Geeks they might venture that perhaps salaries haven't quite rocketed to the same degree). In times gone by the question might have been "Should we do it?" or "Can we afford it?", in my experience these questions often fall slightly out of focus when the technical specialist strolls into the room and calmly declares that "There is no way that will work, *insert brief but damning technical reason*"


This strangely gladiatorial signal of approval has given rise to a new seat in the boardroom. Office 'Alpha geeks' (http://tinyurl.com/6gjl6wc) now take their seat at the table and regularly have the last word in meetings. The Geek community has even captured the attention of fashionistas across the world with 'Geek chic' becoming ever more popular (http://tinyurl.com/6h6cuqf) and modal followers donning thick glasses and Mario backpacks with relish. They do say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery...


If you know such a person, might I suggest that you be nice to them. They are the new Knights of the round table, the modern day patron saints, and the gladiatorial heavyweights in a ring full of technology which wants to rough you up. Whether you think these titles deserved or not, just be glad that they are on hand next time your laptop dies (I know I am).


Remember a geek is for life, not just for emergencies.


**Update 26/1/11: Geeks rejoice, one step closer to Star Wars! http://tinyurl.com/4re7pt6