Geek is defined by dictionary.com as a computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often considered offensive when used by outsiders).
Unless you're in the tech industry, being called a geek isn't associated with feelings of admiration and awe. It is at best a complimentary joking gesture and at worst a derogatory term.
Ironically, computers and various other 'geeky' devices are rapidly becoming indispensible parts of our lives. Activities such as shopping, banking, communicating and working are usually done with the aid of a computer, tablet or a mobile device. Furthermore, the big companies today are 'geeky' companies such as Google, Facebook, Apple, etc.
If the companies we admire are traditionally 'geeky', then why don't we publicly admire the common 'geek' as we say it? Yes, we revel at their leaders (e.g. Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page), but didn't they start out as a 'geek'?
Due to this, the youth of today would also start to follow in the footsteps of their 'geeky' idols, learning how to code and craving for the latest gadgets in the market while trying to develop something (app, software, device, etc.)that they can call their own.
And isn't it only logical that we master the tools we use to make our daily lives easier? Why do we just stop at using them? Surely, the people who learn how to tweak them and to make them better for other people to use should be given some credit.
We are entering the period where successful entrepreneurs and businesses will become geekier and geekier, offering practical and convenient services made possible with their 'geeky' solutions. Machines are already starting to replace the mildly skilled roles that we used to do. Simply put, we are heading towards a future where being some form of 'geek' would be a requirement in nabbing a decent job especially at entry level when you've got no prior experience or connections to offer.
Being a 'geek' might not be the norm now, but it will be in the future as more and more students are taught how to program in schools. By the time these people grow up, knowing how to code will just be another language which makes those who don't know how to code almost seem illiterate.
Therefore, it is time to start embracing the 'geek' in us, especially for people under 25. Don't let the people 10 years younger threaten your job in 20 years time just because they can understand code and you can't. Admittedly, this is often a hard task, quite the equivalent of our parents learning how to properly utilize the computer and mobile phone to get maximum value out of it.
So why is 'geek' not what everyone still aspires to be? It's clearly what the future is shaping up to be. It's time to see past the next 5 years, where 'geek' will become the norm and not the exception, so let's prepare for it. Let's try and learn some form of code.