View Full Version : Geeks without cars?
So what's the deal with that anyway? My cousins Uncle (on the other side of the family, so no, not my Uncle :devious:), was (is?) this super geek. He never got his drivers license, or a car, until he was in his mid/late 30's.
One of my best buddies plays D&D, and 3 of their group of 5 don't have cars/licenses.
One of my buddies, didn't get his license until he was in his 30s (you know who you are :devious:).
I was just reading the 'Who are all the Canadians' thread, and one guy was talking about taking just one bus to get to the venue he's going to play at, instead of the subway and a bus.
So what is the deal? I got my license at 16, ASAP. Got my first car at 18, and haven't been without a vehicle for more than 2 years since then (when I first met my wife, we lived in the downtown core of Vancouver, so we didn't need a vehicle, as everything was within walking distance).
Kamakura
10/25/2010, 02:53
NICE first vote!
Yes, I've got a car and it's pretty necessary where I live. I never wanted to drive, still hate it, but I was the first of my friends to get my license, too. I know a bunch of gamers who don't have their licenses or a car. Most of the time I just feel bad for the person who has to ferry them around. The rest of the time? I get out of there before I become the one that has to play crazy taxi.
NigrumAEternus
10/25/2010, 04:01
gamin geek with a car
Sarcanis
10/25/2010, 05:05
What does car ownership have to do with geekiness?
d_knight7
10/25/2010, 05:29
Back in Britain, no geeks or nerds own cars. But then Britain has a semi useful public transport system. All the geeks and nerds take the bus or train.
Still, it was a noticeable phenomenon. Literally not a single gamer I knew drove, even the ones in their 40's.
I am both nerd and geek, own a car, but it needs to go to the mechanic, and has been sitting in my driveway for like nine months.
can I choose "all of the above" and strangle myself?
eternalrage
10/25/2010, 06:59
I put no because I own a pick-up. A geek with a pick-up to pick up nerds to play at my venue.
Superclone
10/25/2010, 07:03
I had a car - moved to the UK, now I don't have a car. Not really worth it in a city like York, but i miss my wheels.
What does car ownership have to do with geekiness?
I believe that's what this poll is trying to figure out.
I'm a nerd and I have a car, I used to use it to deliver pizzas, but now it's only needed to get to and from work as well as my venue.
dengar69
10/25/2010, 07:41
think all the geeks pend all their money on little plastic figures not to be abe to afford to drive
I live in Houston, which (unless you live downtown) is so spread out that you really can't walk anywhere. The bus system doesn't span much past downtown and it seems everyone is at least 10 minutes away from their local grocery store (by car).
So yeah, we all pretty much 'car it up' down here. Even das ubergeeks...
I am a bit shy of 40, am a geek, and do not own a car. I do keep my license valid. I choose to live in town on the bus route and in walking distance of most of my needs.
What does car ownership have to do with geekiness?
if you're a geek or nerd with a car, you have a trunk to fit more geek/nerd stuff in. or bodies. :noid::rolleyes::cheeky:
saturnflight
10/25/2010, 09:29
In college, I had a license, but I had no vehicle for my 1st two years there. Just didn't have the finances; I was taking student loans to pay, and was working a part-time job on campus.
I got very proficient at riding the city bus after walking an hour to a tournament with a bulky tacklebox in hand. It's not terrible to hop on a bus with a tacklebox or two, and the schedule is easy enough to follow.
I got a car for the end of college, and now that's a necessity, as I live in a small town an hour's drive from any game store.
Ironman1994
10/25/2010, 09:34
I don't have a car, but I also don't have a license cause I just turned 16 a week ago and still haven't worked towards one.
I guess I would be classified as a Geek/Nerd/Dork....
Not only do I have a car, But I also have a Wife and kids and a Mini Van.. I'm breaking all kinds for gamer geek rules!!!!
To be honest I would not be able to get buy without my car. I drive to work and carry all my gaming goodness in my trunk for when I need it. Not to mention a kid or two every now and then.
I do understand however how some who live in a large city could get along with out a car. I lived in Pittsburgh for years and rode the bus a lot. I didn't have a car for the first 9 months or so. Once my finance now wife moved there I had a car (hers) and it was much more convenient to have a car than not for things like shopping and getting to work.
I still rode the bus for going to school (Art Institute of Pittsburgh) which was right downtown. Parking downtown was expensive, a monthly bus pass was cheaper than parking.
eternalrage
10/25/2010, 09:41
Once my finance now wife...
Mine's expensive, too. But I've never had to finance her.:laugh:
I have multiple cars.
A 7 passenger SUV, a Focus and a Mustang.
I have a 2010 Rav 4, which i promptly named the Fantasticar, and i consider myself both a geek and a nerd
I have 2 cars.
But I have been to Toronto and if I lived there I probably wouldnt use it enough to justify it.
Honorable1
10/25/2010, 10:33
Got my license and my first car the day I turned 16. Bought my first brand new car @ 22. I am now 33 and have had 8 or 9 different cars. I am addicted to going as fast as I possibly can. :devious:
longinux
10/25/2010, 10:39
It's funny this thread should come up as I was talking to a guy in the HC tourney last week about how he didn't have a car. I couldn't believe it, and was asking the guy how he survived without one even though he was (as all nerds know it's their lifeblood) only walking distance from the comic shop. Well.... he then drops the bomb that he is part owner of the shop. That settled that. lol
Magnetrex
10/25/2010, 10:44
I have a car as well
The_Sound_Of_Animals
10/25/2010, 10:45
34 years old, no car, no license, no learners. sick of transit so going in the next few weeks to get it... may not be a passing fad after all
I have always had a vehicle to drive since I was 16. I cannot imagine not having a car to drive, it is one of my favorite things to do. Right now I have a beat up 1999 white Dodge Grand Caravan that is so rusted and scarred from years of abuse I nicknamed it "The Falcon" ha ha
DarkBlueAnt
10/25/2010, 11:01
Live in a city. No car.
And I think I'm a geek, not a nerd. I'm not totally sure, but I think the difference is that nerds are smart guys while geeks are just obsessive losers. I'm whatever the not smart one is.
Oh, they are coming out of the wood work !!!! Unite my fellow geeks, unite !!!!!
Nice work fellas :laugh: Thanks for the responses (and the laughs :p).
I can think of 4 gamers who don't have car or license. And not because of DUI or anything. I had mine as soon as I possibly could, and have always had a reliable car.
eternalrage
10/25/2010, 11:11
I can think of 4 gamers who don't have car or license. And not because of DUI or anything. I had mine as soon as I possibly could, and have always had a reliable car.
I like what you did here. Yes I do.
charlesx
10/25/2010, 11:13
Owning a car has always been a function of being able to afford it, not of geekiness per se. We're a two vehicle family, one of them being a mini-van for Mom and kids mostly and one an SUV for Dad (me.) I live in the 'burbs and getting around using public transportation is not an option. On the other hand, when I was single and had no kids I lived in urban downtown - and at that time I could afford neither a car nor the expense of paying for parking, so back then public transportation was a good friend of mine. I can't say I miss them ole car-less days, though.
I have a car, but a ball joint gave out and a wheel fell off so I don't have use of the car at the moment.
HeroclixFrank
10/25/2010, 11:37
I've always been a car nut as much as a gaming nerd. Since I was 16, I've had a car. And MOST of the time, it was some sort of sportier car (Camaro, Trans-Am, Mustang, old School Plymouth Duster, 80's Chargers). Even recently I just got my first Toyota, and even though it was the cheepie Corolla, it still HAD to have some sort of sports package.
I've lived in rural Ohio and Kentucky almost all my life. There was about 2 years I lived somewhere with a bus, and to be honest, I'd still drive. But where I live now, not only is a car a must, sometimes that car needs to be a 4x4 because snowplows are like Santa Claus.... they show up once a year.
It's hard to keep a regular job in my field (printing and later on manufacturing) if you rely on public transporation. Most of the bosses I've had don't care WHY you're late, even if it's the buses fault. They just care that you ARE. And at the last place I worked at, three strikes and you're out!
i don't need a car - i ride the net . . . .
AUKOS
I am a geek, as my Transformer Edition Camaro (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/album.php?albumid=665) proves! :laugh:
hail_eris
10/25/2010, 11:54
Well, the wife's got a car to haul the kid around, but I'm a four-season cyclist. I live in Chicago, so when one factors in the hassle of parking, just about any trip that's less than three miles (and that's pretty far in a high density area) ends up taking about as long by bike or car. I used to commute by bike pretty regularly, and I found that the eight-mile trip into the Loop was actually a bit faster by bike than it was by train.
subliminalthreat
10/25/2010, 12:43
Hi, my name is Jerry and I am a gamer and clix addict. I've had a vehicle since I was 16, license at that age as well....the only time I've had no car or motorcycle was when I was incarcerated, without a car no way to work, therefore no cash to buy clix or videogames or to get drunk on(now it's for the family and bills and occasionally clix)..... At our former venue one in 6 of us had a car and 3 of the six actually had a license... everyone depended on their mom or sister or grandma or roommate or friend or taxi or even once a hitchhiking experience a group had.....so is this s trend or what?
Darth Sabre
10/25/2010, 12:43
I am neither a geek nor a nerd and I have 3 vehicles, a bike, and 3 four wheelers.
subliminalthreat
10/25/2010, 12:44
and don't say you don't have a car for the environment..I now you're lying you taco-bell devouring deviant! I know cuz we can smell our own kind!
Either a lot of people identify themselves as geeks (in addtion to or instead of identifying themselves as nerds) or there are a lot of liars in this poll. Remember folks, you play with little plastic people. That makes us all nerds. Nerd Pride!
lancelot
10/25/2010, 13:04
I own a Mustang. Cars are my other hobbies.
That and living in an area with next to no public transportation (read, buses come every 30 to 45 minutes), it's a must.
My car died almost a year ago and so I am living at my friends house and he does the driving to school and our venue and we walk/ride bikes to work. Still saving up sort of.
invisibo
10/25/2010, 13:09
I am a geek, as my Transformer Edition Camaro (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/album.php?albumid=665) proves! :laugh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVYsMEj3PGQ
MaxFortune
10/25/2010, 13:14
Not enough poll options (once again), as I have three cars and a pickup truck.
Byzantine
10/25/2010, 13:21
Had a ford ranger from the ages of 16-18. When I came up to college though, I didn't keep it because i didn't need it and couldn't afford it. We have public transit up here, and most everything i need is within walking distance, so it's not a big deal. On holidays, if I want to go home, I just take the bus and it costs relatively the same, but is far easier and less stressful. When I turned 21 and my license expired, I just got a state ID because it was $25 cheaper.
So nope, don't have a car. Had one, but not anymore.
KO Bossy
10/25/2010, 13:22
I can't afford a car (in insurance specifically) while I'm still at college (thankfully the college is within bus distance). However, I can afford clix, since they're surprisingly less expensive.
So in the end, plastic wins out, as its the cheaper avenue.
KO Bossy
10/25/2010, 13:24
I have 2 cars.
But I have been to Toronto and if I lived there I probably wouldnt use it enough to justify it.
Yeah, in Toronto, you really don't need one. The subways are spaced pretty evenly, so just walk to a stop, hop on, and you can get anywhere you need to go.
Not enough poll options (once again), as I have three cars and a pickup truck.
There was the 'Other' option..............:cheeky:
Yeah, in Toronto, you really don't need one. The subways are spaced pretty evenly, so just walk to a stop, hop on, and you can get anywhere you need to go.
Yeah, I can see not having need of a vehicle in a major metropolitan area. As I said, when my wife and I first got together, we lived in downtown Vancouver, and didn't need a vehicle. After we moved away from the city center, it became a necessity again.
I just find it a weird 'phenomenon' that our little sub segment of the population seems to have an (over) abundance of vehicle less/license less members, compared to non-geeks (or nerds if you prefer :p). At least in my experience :)
Tombstone Frank
10/25/2010, 13:45
Have been driving (Farm equipment and "country trucks") since I was 8. Got my DL @ 16, have owned 4 cars and 2 motorcycles. I am a car hobbiest and avid RPGer and Clix.
Everyone I RPG with has a car (we play at personal homes, so we can carpool sometimes) and we live in Jacksonville FL (spread out like Houston). A vehicle is almost required. I consider myself a Comic/RPG Geek (though I have not bit the head off a chicken, YET...) who is married to a hot gamer chick.
Living the dream....
orangeboy7000
10/25/2010, 13:46
I can't understand people in this modern age that don't have a car, or at least a license. I got mine as soon as I could at 16 and bought a car as soon as I had $500 (this was 10 years ago). Didn't like sitting around for hours waiting for rides from my family who didn't know how to or care to be on time. A car gives you so much freedom.
I've known people into their 20's that didn't have a license but they are almost all women. I am guessing that if you have rides always available maybe you don't see the need but any adult should be able to drive, period. If you live in New York where most people don't own a car I can understand taking the bus or riding your bike. Heck, even if you want to be environmentally friendly, but you SHOULD have a license at least.
The day I turned 16 I had my liscense. A week later I had my 1st car. Within hours I had my 1st speeding ticket.
And it's been 25 years worth of sports cars & speeding tickets ever since.... :)
As I type this I'm waiting on the dry-wall to arrive so I can finish building a brand new garrage - wich will soon house a '68 Corvette.
While a vehicle is almost a necceccity where I live, I can see how it wouldn't be for someone with access to good public transit.
But even if I lived in such a place? I'd almost certainly still own a car. Because I love driving (fast), & I love the ability to just go where ever, when ever.
kujonomore
10/25/2010, 14:20
Yes I am a geek and I have a car, I have had one or more continuously for the last 30 years.
I had a license but let it lapse (stupid graduated licensing) because I could not get an appointment at the testing center on time
I now have a license AGAIN but it is the lowest grade
I would like to think that I am geek AND a nerd but of my own free will
Prof. Aragorn
10/25/2010, 14:45
I am Bud Palmer?
I had a license but let it lapse (stupid graduated licensing) because I could not get an appointment at the testing center on time
I now have a license AGAIN but it is the lowest grade
I would like to think that I am geek AND a nerd but of my own free will
I am so glad I never had to deal with that. I know that here in BC, it takes 18 months~2 years now to get your full drivers license :confused:
Geez, when I got mine (21 ish years ago :p) you could go down the the driver services center the day you turned 16 without even having to have your parents permission, take the learners written test, and book your driving test the same day. One month later, you could take you drivers test, and have your full license.
When my kid brother (12 years younger) got his license, about 9 years ago, he had to go through the whole graduated licensing process. I took him out while he had his 'L' a bunch of times, and when the time came for him to take his road test to get his 'N', they actually wanted 'proof' of the amount of hours he'd spent practicing. My step Mom phoned me, to get my drivers license number, to use me as a 'reference' and she needed to know (approximately) how many hours I'd spent on the road with him :confused:
Yikes.
Geek here. '98 mercury mystique represent!
eternalrage
10/25/2010, 15:10
I am Bud Palmer?
L.M.D.
......
Danzig01
10/25/2010, 16:08
What the hell does this have to do with Heroclix?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVYsMEj3PGQ
Here's mine...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C9vAxsxAdA
:classic:
omnimon177
10/25/2010, 17:41
Where's the truck option?
The way I see it, those people who didn't bother to get licenses until they were in their 30's were just spending their money on gaming, booze, drugs, etc..
VictorySaber
10/25/2010, 17:43
... I have a car. in fact.. I have TWO! granted sure, maintenance, insurance and storage for the spring/summer wheels could go toward clix or other things... and I've barely driven it at all this year...
but dammit, my brother, father and I rebuilt the thing... and it's as mean looking as it ever could.
that is... for a 2000 Firebird.
What the hell does this have to do with Heroclix?
Nothing, but feel free to leave at any time ;)
Blubeard
10/25/2010, 18:49
I am a bit shy of 40, am a geek, and do not own a car. I do keep my license valid. I choose to live in town on the bus route and in walking distance of most of my needs.
that sums me up as well.
i haven't had a car for about 3 years now and only occasionally miss it. i do not miss payments, insurance payments, the crazy price of gasoline these days....
I'm 41.
I own a car ('94 Dodge Pickup). I've had one since I got my drivers license at 16.
I've had a job since I was 16 and haven't gone without one for more than a week.
I have a great house in a beautiful area.
I have a beautiful, sexy, gorgeous wife, two great kids, one great daughter-in-law, and the most beautiful grand-daughter on the planet (really, you should see her.)
I have a great job at the US Postal Service.
I once owned a comic book / gaming shop for 5 years that died due to the recession (thanks Wall Street / Congress).
And, I really, really like HeroClix. I love everything about it. The super-hero aspect, the miniaturized 3-d versions of my favorite heroes (geek). The strategy of the game (nerd). It was a great way to teach my kids quick addition and subtraction skills (10 attack vs 18 defense = I need an 8).
I am nerdy, geeky and proud of it.
So, yeah, life is good. :cool:;):classic:
Crazy Bee
10/25/2010, 19:20
I have a car (living in north central PA, cars are a must) and I am a proud geek for as long as I can remember.
And here's something for my nerd friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3njjD41f48
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZEdDMQZaCU
happyoptimistic88
10/25/2010, 19:42
So what's the deal with that anyway? My cousins Uncle (on the other side of the family, so no, not my Uncle :devious:), was (is?) this super geek. He never got his drivers license, or a car, until he was in his mid/late 30's.
One of my best buddies plays D&D, and 3 of their group of 5 don't have cars/licenses.
One of my buddies, didn't get his license until he was in his 30s (you know who you are :devious:).
I was just reading the 'Who are all the Canadians' thread, and one guy was talking about taking just one bus to get to the venue he's going to play at, instead of the subway and a bus.
So what is the deal? I got my license at 16, ASAP. Got my first car at 18, and haven't been without a vehicle for more than 2 years since then (when I first met my wife, we lived in the downtown core of Vancouver, so we didn't need a vehicle, as everything was within walking distance).
I have a car and am a nerd! :):cool:
UltraMANOS
10/25/2010, 19:44
I drive an SUV, and maintain a 96 average. I used to watch jeopardy for fun and get the majority of the answers correct. I am usually not familiar with sports stats, I keep up with my fave state school and their rivals.
so i dont know what category that put's me in, When people at my venue begin to talk about sports I retort back with "oh thats cool, but how relative will that be in 50 years ? or if I bring up physics or math into the conversation they get mad because now they feel isolated and left out of the conversation.
Where I live there is no public transport, you drive a truck or a beat that gets you from point A to point B .
I live in the rural south east of the U.S.
do i have a car? kinda...im actually in the midst of purchasing it as we speak. :)
am i nerd or geek? yea i'm both.
Hellfire117
10/25/2010, 19:49
I live in Fargo, North Dakota, so I have to have a car. No car here pretty much equals death. Lol
robedestroyer
10/25/2010, 20:29
I want a Horse & Buggy option! Not that I own a horse & buggy, but we can't exclude the Amish.
I want a Horse & Buggy option! Not that I own a horse & buggy, but we can't exclude the Amish.
Sure we can. The Amish wouldn't have a computer and be on HCRealms anyway!
BudPalmer
10/25/2010, 20:40
Sure we can. The Amish wouldn't have a computer and be on HCRealms anyway!
Maybe because of people like you who judge them!
hmm...seems that someone has found that the stereotype of the geek who never grows up does indeed apply to some...maybe some people just like to walk instead of be fat and lazy like the world is becoming...its all about efficiency or being easy anymore. execise is too hard! we need to make that easier, ab belt or diet pill or liposuction...
robedestroyer
10/25/2010, 21:22
hmm...seems that someone has found that the stereotype of the geek who never grows up does indeed apply to some...maybe some people just like to walk instead of be fat and lazy like the world is becoming...its all about efficiency or being easy anymore. execise is too hard! we need to make that easier, ab belt or diet pill or liposuction...
So is spelling and grammar.
Wade Wilson
10/25/2010, 21:51
So what's the deal with that anyway? My cousins Uncle (on the other side of the family, so no, not my Uncle :devious:), was (is?) this super geek. He never got his drivers license, or a car, until he was in his mid/late 30's.
One of my best buddies plays D&D, and 3 of their group of 5 don't have cars/licenses.
One of my buddies, didn't get his license until he was in his 30s (you know who you are :devious:).
I was just reading the 'Who are all the Canadians' thread, and one guy was talking about taking just one bus to get to the venue he's going to play at, instead of the subway and a bus.
So what is the deal? I got my license at 16, ASAP. Got my first car at 18, and haven't been without a vehicle for more than 2 years since then (when I first met my wife, we lived in the downtown core of Vancouver, so we didn't need a vehicle, as everything was within walking distance).
Being a super geek costs a lot of money that you can't afford to spend on a car!
eternalrage
10/25/2010, 23:42
I want a Horse & Buggy option! Not that I own a horse & buggy, but we can't exclude the Amish.
If they could ever get their wooden plank to connect to the internet to view the poll. I agree, they should not be excluded.
I've had a license and a car (even if it was a complete heap in my teens) since I was 16. So driving for almost 24 years now. 3 car household now with a Saturn, a Kia Sedona and an Acura Integra.
Tarnish
UltraMANOS
10/26/2010, 14:41
hmm...seems that someone has found that the stereotype of the geek who never grows up does indeed apply to some...maybe some people just like to walk instead of be fat and lazy like the world is becoming...its all about efficiency or being easy anymore. execise is too hard! we need to make that easier, ab belt or diet pill or liposuction...
So you are justifying your reasons of not having a car by saying that you are smart and not lazy and fit? I see, this is very telling. I'm sure the next thing will be that you have a 9 and 3 quarters inch member.
I drive a vehicle because i can afford it.
Because I live in the rural south.
because when spontenous recreational procreation is initiated,I can fold down the backseat and get it on in the middle of nowhere.
and because all I ever did from the ages of 12-26 was eat healthy,live healthy,sleep healthy and i still managed to develop hypertension, suffer a stroke, heart and complete renal failure.
I am submitting you take your indirect sly comment and blow it out your tight @$$.
Hellfire117
10/26/2010, 17:57
hmm...seems that someone has found that the stereotype of the geek who never grows up does indeed apply to some...maybe some people just like to walk instead of be fat and lazy like the world is becoming...its all about efficiency or being easy anymore. execise is too hard! we need to make that easier, ab belt or diet pill or liposuction...
So you are justifying your reasons of not having a car by saying that you are smart and not lazy and fit? I see, this is very telling. I'm sure the next thing will be that you have a 9 and 3 quarters inch member.
I drive a vehicle because i can afford it.
Because I live in the rural south.
because when spontenous recreational procreation is initiated,I can fold down the backseat and get it on in the middle of nowhere.
and because all I ever did from the ages of 12-26 was eat healthy,live healthy,sleep healthy and i still managed to develop hypertension, suffer a stroke, heart and complete renal failure.
I am submitting you take your indirect sly comment and blow it out your tight @$$.
Geeky guy denied. UltraMANOS dropped the hammer on yo ###. :cool:
WakandaMan
10/26/2010, 18:18
I have a car, and got it fairly early on (I think I was 19, and you can't get your licence till you're 18 here in Australia), but I too have noticed this trend towards nerds and geeks not being drivers. After clix tournaments at my venue I usually drop 3 or 4 of the other players home afterwards, and only one of those isn't driving age. There isn't even any decent public transport in our town- most of them just walk everywhere, which is pretty crazy.
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