Representation

This mask represents a part of me that people who do not know me often see.

I am a pretty private person, so people might feel like they are not seeing me or getting a glimpse of me.

That is why the mask is like a wall with a half-round window in it, not fully exposing myself.

50 images

80's COMPUTER GEEKS EXPLAINED TO THE FUTURE

Acting introvert [alone]

KNOLLING

Wearing a t-shirts

Bad posture [from sitting behind a computer]

THE MASK

1. “Everyone creates stereotypes. We cannot function in the world without them.” (S. Gilman)

1.1 Write down your interest in this group? What are you curious about? How do you relate to this group (positive or negative); do you want to be part of it, do you admire them, are you more negative about them?

I find this group very interesting because they stick out positively by having a big passion for something. I'm curious to learn more about why they find computers so fascinating and what made them gain interest.
Personally, I would not like to be a part of this group because their interests are different from mine, even though I use a computer a lot, I am not fascinated by it. I do admire them because they are usually not afraid to be different.

1.2 What are the assumptions you have (or had) about the ‘social group’? Where did you get these from? How were they debunked or confirmed?

The assumptions I had about this group is that they are very smart. They look smart because of their glasses and they know a lot about technology. Just because you wear glasses and are smart with computers does not make you>overal smart and all-knowing, I discoverd this when talking too people from the social group. I also thought most computer geeks were introvert, however I found out through a study that over half of computer geeks are introverted, so not all of them are.

2. Signifiers that stereotype: Objects and their meaning

2.1 Which existing stereotypes have you found about your group?

Smart, badly dressed, bad posture, un-manly, male, bad haircut, not good with women, shy, annoyed, busy.

2.2 Fragmentation and Fetishized: Which objects (e.g. food, products, clothes, part of the body) are used to stereotype with?

Glasses, technology, junk food, graphic tees, hoodies, slouched back

2.3 Where did you find them? In which shape, form, or media (jokes, sayings, news, tv, politics, shops, education,…)

In TV shows you find this everywhere starting from kids>TV to adult TV, think of: Steve Urkel - "Family Matters", Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter - "The Big Bang Theory", Cookie - "Ned's Survival Guide", Freddy - "iCarly", Dwight Schrute - "The Office", Milhouse van Houten - "The Simpsons", Chuck Bartowski - "Chuck".

3. The effect of stereotypes: Power and discrimination

3.1 Who spreads these stereotypes? What’s their intention?

People in the media spread this stereotype so that they have a type to laugh at. Because these people stick out it seems to be fun to watch them do things differently/struggle.

3.2 Did you find examples of discrimination, ongoing conflicts, historic events, or other injustices where stereotypes are used to control or overpower your‘ social group’? Describe/show what happened?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/17/nerd-geek-insults-should-classed-hate-crimes-academic-claims/ Often geeks are bullied for having a high IQ, this should be classed a hate-crime according to the Telegraph.>
https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/sep/11/brutal-oppression-nerds-geeks-david-harding-n-word

3.3 Have you found examples where your ‘social group’ is reversing the stereotype; using the known stereotypes and appropriating them for their cause? (see more Hall, 5.1: Reversing the stereotype).

TYPE vs. STEREOTYPE

Process