The Blork Blog

I scored 128 on the MSNBC Digital IQ Quiz (via Light & Dark). A respectable showing. I lost points for not backing up my computer’s data as much as I should, and for a few other tidbits.

I was, however, completely honest in my replies. Well — except for one; for the question “Do you take your wireless laptop on the road with you?” I lied and said “Yes.” The thing is, I would do so, but (a) it’s only been a couple of weeks since I installed the wireless network, (b) I haven’t really gone “on the road” recently, and (c) the battery is broken so it’s wirebound at the moment (a new battery is on the way). So I would take it, and I plan to take it, so I figured that’s as good as a yes.

To me, this test begs the question “what’s so great about being a geek?” In the 80s geeks were laughed at, because being technically and “computerally” savvy didn’t really mean much to most people. The geeks were the oily-skinned trolls who inhabited basement labs eerily lit in a green phosphorescent glow, or they were pudgy dorks with diodes in their pockets and no social skills to go with them.

In the 90s, the importance of the personal computer became apparent. People who knew what they were doing in front of a monitor could easily find jobs — and good ones. Suddenly, all that arcane knowledge became rather sexy. Those oily-skinned trolls were thrust into positions of great influence (they who control the information control the power). Geek love was big.

But now things are different once again. Computer literacy (remember that term?) is high all around. Plus, the systems are becoming easier and easier to install and operate. Any dope can sit down and send email, flip files around, create a PowerPoint presentation (although exceedingly few can prepare a good one), or whip together a spread sheet.

Offices are overflowing with people who know how to rewire a hub or configure a router. There doesn’t seem to be any reason to learn the intricacies anymore, because if something is not working there are plenty of oily-skinned trolls in the basement who are now falling over themselves to stay significant — just get one of them to do it for you.

It seems we’ve come full circle. These days, bragging that you’ve built a Web site or configured your home network is as banal as saying you learned how to drive, or how to truss a chicken. It’s a quaintly curious thing that you might chuckle about with friends, but that’s about it.

So I scored a 128. Big deal. Lots of people scored higher, and that’s fine with me. No jealousy. Although I must confess that if I had scored an 80 I would probably not be writing this. In fact I’d be on the floor weeping.