Geek (n.) — A species of the human race often distinguished by glasses held together by thick tape, a collection of Star Wars paraphernalia and the uncanny ability to recite pi to the tenth digit. Because of the heavy textbooks they wear on their backs, they are often prone to being hunchbacks.

By this narrow definition, who is and who is not a geek would be easy to identify because of their unusual physical characteristics. Harry Potter, for example, would be a geek.

In reality, a geek is much harder to discern. As an insult, it implies that you’re anti-social or devoted to academics. This name-calling of people who are smart is a symptom of a clear disregard for the intellectual’s place in society. It could be seen as an inverse relationship — when the number of people using the word geek increases, it is a sign that society’s respect for the intellectual is decreasing.

This lack of respect demonstrates ingratitude for society’s most willing servant. Geeks see the technological and idealistic problems that arise in modern countries as an exciting intellectual challenge. Societies need people who will dedicate themselves to design a new machine, find a cure or tackle a policy issue.

This sudden increase today of name-calling of those with high GPA’s could be due to the increased prosperity and overall lifestyle in modern times. Because the average citizen in the U.S. can afford a comfortable living, due in part to technological breakthroughs, they fail to see the connection between intellect and innovation.

This backlash against the smart ones might also be due to the taking-of-arms movement undergone by 1980s cult hits. Popular director John Hughes, famous for “Pretty in Pink” and “Sixteen Candles,” often portrayed geeks as a band of computer-obsessed wallflowers.

Despite their blatant disregard for high-school social norms, these geeks still managed to pick up the prom queen and negotiate a girl into giving them her underwear. This idea in popular culture that geeks are a threat could have spurred a social movement to “keep them in their place.”

Indeed, the place of geeks in society may fluctuate, but their intellectual contribution to society will remain consistent.

Melissa can be reached at melissa.silva@asu.edu.