Monthly Archives: April 2013

Are You a Geek or an Uber Geek?

Are You a Geek or an Uber Geek?Whereas geeks were once bullied and made the laughing stock by their peers, today, geek has become the new cool. Every year, a new blockbuster hits theaters based on a comic book hero, television shows are sprouting up with nerds as their protagonists, and video games have never been cooler. People who would have once shied away from showing their nerdier sides are now able to display their true selves to the world without having to worry about as much derision or criticism than ever before.

When trying to describe oneself, the question becomes: are you a geek or an uber geek? A geek is som… Read more..
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Spectacular Tragedy in a Just World: The Power of "Why?"

Spectacular tragedy does not require a spectacular explanation—a loner with a grudge really can kill a President, shoot up a schoolyard, or leave bombs sitting in backpacks—and yet we feel like it should. We want cause to transcend effect. A simple truth can leave us feeling cheated. We need to believe in the existence of answers and purpose more powerful than our pain.

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Monster Man, Martinis and Mulder: WonderCon Anaheim 2013 is a Wrap

Monster Man, Martinis and Mulder: WonderCon Anaheim 2013 is a Wrap

The Wild West of 1850s southern California never saw WonderCon coming. Originally an agricultural collective of pious, German farmers and vintners, Victorian Anaheim would have plotzed at the site of The Joker, Jawas, Hobbacca and G-stringed Supergirls crossing Katella and Harbor, headed into their Anaheim Convention Center. Although, he might have appreciated some of the more inventive steampunk costuming, 1857 co-founder George Hansen must have just come to grips with Disneyland when WonderCon steamed into town last year. This year, it descended upon the O.C…. Read more..
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If a Geek Writes a Book, Does It Make a Sale? The WonderCon Interviews, Part II

If a Geek Writes a Book, Does It Make a Sale? The WonderCon Interviews, Part II

Geeks Get Published: it sounds obvious. At first blush, with the exception of folks like Snookie, the Fifty Shades of Grey author and Penthouse letters, who else do you imagine is getting published? Mostly geeks, that’s who! Bookworms, academicians, poetry goths, art nerds, amateur scholars, film dorks, scientists, comic book enthusiasts, pop culture obsessives, military buffs and historical rëenactors are busily scribbling, publishing and selling the most important theses and musings of all: th… Read more..
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