Geek a Week

Over the summer, I discovered the podcast for Geek a Week which is part of a project by Len Peralta in which he interviews then draws a trading card for 52 famous/well-loved geeks in a year. So far my favourite podcasts have been those with Steve Wozniak, Grant Imahara and Bill Amend.

I haven’t listened to all of them yet but lately I’ve been catching up on the podcasts during my commute. This week, I started thinking about how I would answer some of his standard questions. I’ve eliminated some of those that are specific to the project but the others are interesting enough, I think.

1. If you had to stop doing what you do, what would your next career be?

Ideally, if I could work it all out (you know, the not procrastinating part and the actually submitting things part)  probably a writer but a close second would be some sort of teaching or training which is what I wanted to be for most of my life before I slumped backwards into my current career.

2. What is the trait you most value in others?

Common sense. If there’s one thing that consistently gets my proverbial panties in a bunch it’s a lack of common sense which, contrary to what one might assume is no longer terribly common. Every day I see people who can’t figure out the simplest of things and it drives me insane.

3A. You’ve been transformed into a superhero, what two powers would you select for yourself?

As much as flight would be convenient, I suspect my fear of heights would make that more of a challenge so I would choose invulnerability — handy in compensating for my inherent clumsiness — and the ability to manipulate time, whether it was time-travel or the VCR control variety (rewind, fast forward and pause).

3B. Would you use those powers for good or evil?

I have to admit, I’d be tempted by the dark side, but I think my true alignment falls in the chaotic good realm so ultimately for good.

3C. Who would be your nemesis?

Some of the answers for this have been great, The Suit, Corporate Man, and several for (Evil) Wil Wheaton. I’m not sure if I would name names but based on my rant about Common Sense I think my nemesis would be someone who purposely did the stupidest thing in every situation.

4. Is there anything you secretly geek out about?

This one is tough. After over a decade of spreading my life out online through blogging, personal websites, Flickr, and social media, I’m pretty sure most of you know all my geeky secrets. If I dig deep enough though… well, maybe neuropsychology/neuroscience is a subject that I don’t often rave about but I did study (in grades 10 & 11 my science fair projects were about memory and distraction/interruption) and for a time I wanted to go into the field (until I realized just how much biology would be required). It’s a subject that will frequently catch my attention — on television, online or in the bookstore, or even at work, if a related thesis crosses my desk.

5. What geeky movie/tv show has most influenced you?

I’m going to step outside the usual suspects of fantasy and sci-fi and say War Games (OK, maybe it is a little sci-fi) — you really can’t get much geekier than a hacker activating nuclear warheads in error. It really drew me into the world of modems and BBSes and, truthfully, I blame Matthew Broderick for making geeks so damned attractive to me. 😉

6. It’s the end of the world, what one geeky object do you rescue to help you navigate the Mad Max-like terrain?

Realistically, it’s not going to be anything that requires power. Ideally it should be something I can use as a tool or weapon. Now, I’m not known for my great weapon-skills (not even virtual gaming weapons) so we’ll go for tool and I’m going to concur with those geeks (including Kari Byron) who said “My Leatherman tool.”  I don’t currently own a real Leatherman but I am convinced that a good multitool would be invaluable in the apocalypse.

Those are my answers — if you choose to answer these on your blog, let me know so I can read ’em.