Dark Plasma Theory

Do that exercise right now: close your eyes, then think of the word “programmer” and take a snapshot of the image that comes to mind. If you happen to’re like most civilians, your image will feature a very thin or overweight geek sitting in the semi-dark crouched over a computer with a glazed expression on his pallid face. He’s dressed casually to the point of sloppiness, and has a halo of wild, unwashed hair if he’s not wearing a stocking cap. And you just know that he has as many social skills as a grapefruit.

You may have this image of programmers because that’s what the media is pushing – they would like you to believe that programmers are a special species who dwell outside the normal range of human activities, and whom you will never understand. Apparently, many programmers settle for and even domesticate this picture – maybe within the notion that damaging standing is best than no standing at all. Like all stereotypes, this picture has a grain of fact: I’ve met a number of programmers who match this picture perfectly. However like all stereotypes, it is not likely consultant of the programmers that I’ve labored with over the years.

Individuals are likely to throw the time period “geek” round as a mildly disparaging phrase for scientists and engineers who’re a bit bit brief on social expertise, however nobody appears to know where the term comes from. Well, it’s carny slang. Most American carnivals have (or had) sideshows that featured “The wild man of Borneo – found in the jungle, raised by gorillas, with inhuman appetites!” The show itself was acted by “the geek,” a minor sideshow character, often mentally retarded, who covered himself in filth and dressed in ragged skins. He howled and threatened the audience and, at the height of the performance, bit the head off a live chicken. It was shameful, degrading work and “the geek” was a marginalized outcast in the carny community.

So that’s where the word “geek” comes from; taken literally it’s a pretty insulting, degrading name. In my experience, engineers and scientists will often refer to themselves or colleagues as “geeks,” but can be uncomfortable when civilians use the word without understanding it. So, in the interest of reducing the stereotype, try to avoid the “g-word” when you’ll be able to – we’ll all be better off for it.

This post is written by Phillip Evans 2. Learn more about thinkgeek promo code.

I wished to say what a joy it actually was for me to shop for a mattress with Sleepy’s thanks to their sales person. This individual was incredibly helpful, genuine, patient, paid attention to us, and helped us pick out a mattress which appears, up to this time, made for us! It’s difficult for us mainly because its merely been about five-years since we procured a Sleepys bed.

Considering that our likes had varied I was terrified of over-investing. Our sales person was in fact personable and remembered us the few times we returned and left during these few weeks process. He sold us the bed because we trusted him and sensed he had our best interest at heart, not his own. This was not the case in other stores. Thanks for a fine product and a great shopping experience.

Buyers ordinarily write letters because they are not happy with a services. But the truth is, our letter will be the contrary. We were so very delighted by the assistance that people at Sleepys gave to us in recent times, that we felt it warranted a letter of commendation from us.

We stopped into the Sleepys store and purchased a mattress. From the onset, our salesman was courteous, patient and informative regarding which mattress we might be interested in. Unfortunately, we had to exchange the mattress for other mattresses, not once, but three times. Take into account that we are professional people and do not make a habit of exchanging items we buy.

This seemed to be an unusual situation. We must offer to Sleepys our highest praise for their patience, kindness, consideration and, above all, the professional manner in which they handled each exchange. Never once did any of the staff seem annoyed or upset. As a matter of fact, they were all very concerned with our choosing the correct mattress model that suited our desires. We visited Sleepys from the start due to its good reputation. Even so, we were very privileged to have came across the outstanding services which they provided to us. We have now recommended that anyone else shopping for a mattress go to a Sleepys store.