The concept of geeks often felt like it was tied up with aspects of oppression. The concept of simulated ethnicity is an interesting perspective on it. This ties in with the liberal mentality that your "class" is tied up in the aspects of culture that you subscribe to and surround yourself with (e.g. the tv shows you consume and the activities you participate in define your position in the class hierarchy). It's a false front on reality. Geeks are outcasts socially, but they still reify capitalist relations in their perceived superiority to non-geeks. Framing this as simulated ethnicity calls it out as being artificial and an attempt to benefit from the racial stereotypes without taking on the same negatives those stereotypes come with. It shows the desire to gain the perceived benefits of oppression without the actual consequences of oppression.

Aww i thought Rod was back only to find out it's an old essay. Still pretty good read.

Rude...

Dork originally meant penis. Very educational.

Oof. Antimaterialist perspective imo. I think it is an important read as someone who fits this stereotype but the conclusion is highly chauvinist imo. Reeks of bourgois feminism.