On the Shoulders of Geeks

“If we see farther than others it is because we stand on the shoulders of geeks.”
-Mark Edwards

There was an idiotic poll back in 2004 that found that over 50% of “swingable” voters would rather have a beer with George Bush than suck back a cool one with Senator Kerry. The “beer buddy” factor isn’t important because it doesn’t say anything about the candidate, but it says something about the voter. It says he’s an idiot for seriously answering that question. I don’t want to have a beer with my president, even if it were a president who wasn’t a complete screw up.

There are some things I’d like to know about the current presidential candidates: Who is their favorite super-hero? What science-fiction type item do you wish existed here and now? It’s not that I need to identify with a presidential geek. What I need to know is that someone in this giant bunch of Presidential contenders is imaginative, passionate, and forward thinking. I need to know that someone has a modicum of interest in moving the country forward, rather than letting us stagnate.

On May 30, 2007, Pink Raygun sent the following letter and survey out to all of the presidential candidates:

Pink Raygun is conducting a survey of the presidential candidates, because America’s voting geeks want to know: do you have a little geek in you?

“Geek” is no longer an insult. It’s a term of endearment and pride, and it should be. After all, some of America’s highest profile, and most successful businesspeople, such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, may have been seen as “geeks” in their youth. The number of people who identify themselves as geeks is growing, which is reflected in popular culture and in the media. For example, 34 of the top 40 movie hits are genre (science fiction, fantasy or horror) films. Also, the magazine Geek Monthly, while barely six issues old, boasts a circulation of nearly 300,000. The trend points to geeks gaining ground in American culture.

This survey is meant to be fun and playful (although some of these questions are debated endlessly by geeks in the blogosphere). Have fun with it. Most importantly, be yourself. We’ll probably think you’re awesome.

1. Who is your favorite super-hero?

2. Star Wars or Star Trek?

3. What was the last science fiction, fantasy, or horror film you watched?

4. Do you now collect or have you ever been a collector (stamps, coins, comics, etc.)?

5. What do you consider your geekiest trait?

6. What science-fiction type item do you wish existed here and now?

7. What do you consider the most science fiction-y thing that actually exists here and now?

8. If you could meet one genre-fiction character, who would it be and why?

Our email box has been lit up by responses, but not of the type we hoped for. Since sending this letter out, we have received a dozens upon dozens of automated campaign contribution requests, primarily from the Edwards and Obama campaigns. The Kucinich campaign was kind enough to respond to us personally, letting us know that the questionnaire would be forwarded for consideration.

These things can take time; I get that. They have to be focus grouped and answers have to be carefully stated so as to answer the question at hand without actually saying anything and leaving room to backpedal later.

Will voters actually make decisions based on the answer to “Star Wars or Star Trek”? Probably not. But, people still make voting decisions on moronic non-issues such as gay marriage and personal faith, which makes these questions just as valid as others.

We’ll update on our progress regularly until some candidate realizes that the geek vote is important. The rest should fall in line after that.

And you can help us. Last month, we had almost 20,000 visitors to Pink Raygun. If even 1% of that number Digg or Stumble this article, you can help generate some noise, getting the geek constituency noticed and getting answers to our questions. Click on the “Share This” icon down below. Stumble this article, Digg it, link to it on your blog, your MySpace and your Facebook. Ask your friends to do the same.

Geeks keep their laptops running. Geeks maintain their campaign blogs. Geeks deserve a response.

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