28 November 2013

The Geek Shelf

Source: tumblr

When I was a student in Japanese language and culture, I was invited to many classmates's room for drinks and games. And I remember that, in every one of these rooms, there was what I came to call a "Geek Shelf". This made me think about the relationship between our collection of items and our identity.

What is the "Geek Shelf"? You have to understand that most Japanese language students were manga or video game fans who wanted to learn Japanese and go to Japan. In every one of their homes, mine included, there was a special shelf. A bookshelf for some, a tiny little space for others, a full wall of bookshelves for the ones with the biggest appartments.

On Display

This shelf contained our geek stuff: manga, figurines, video games, books, signed postcards or lithographs, you name it. I remember there was not enough space for all my video games, manga or books on my own bookshelf, so I had carefully selected which ones deserved to be on the Geek Shelf.

In other words, these items were on display. Why were these on the Geek Shelf and not in the cupboard with the rest of the DVDs and games? Because these were the ones I wanted to show off to my guests. I'm talking retrospectively here, at the time, most of it was unconscious. But the selection I made was a reflection of my taste - or, to be more precise, the part of my taste I wanted to be defined by. It was a way to say "hey guys, here is what I like". Here is what I am a connoisseur on.

I think this Geek Shelf is an example of using material items to define one's identity. The same phenomenon can be observed with any item on display in one's appartment, on the desk, or the car, the clothes... Why having these specific books in the living room's shelves? Why paying 500€ for a pair or very recognizable red-soled Louboutin? Why driving an Audi rather than a Fiat?

A lot of our consumer's choices, consciously or not, are linked to the image we want to show, the identity we want to carve. And, as a person working in marketing, I can tell you brands know this, and this is why they use advertising, design, shop decorations etc. to create a brand identity we consumers want to identify with by buying their items.

On Social Groups and Belonging

Another learning from this Geek Shelf memory:  we would "evaluate" each other's Geek Shelf. There was always a moment, while the host was grabing the drinks or installing the game, when we would gather around the Geek Shelf and take a look at the owner's collection, leading to conversations such as "which one was the best Final Fantasy" or "is the Full Metal Alchemist manga better than the animated series?"

We would praise the host's taste or tease him about owning bad stuff, but in any case, we were recognizing his "geek expertise" by seeing he owned (and, presumably, liked) that type of specific items, and we would show off our expertise by noting that we knew them too. It was a way to acknowledge our belonging to the "geek" community, to recognize each other as "members" and create discussions.

Again, I think this is something that can apply to any type of item and community. I went for a drink in a musician's appartment a few weeks ago and he had CDs and instruments on display in his living room. At work, women would recognize each other's bag or clothes brand and discuss about where they got them and what upcoming private sales they were aware of.

In light of this observation, I wonder if our consumer choices aren't also based on which social or cultural group we want to belong to. I remember a colleague at my former job who would buy all sorts of video game related accessories (T-Shirts, jewelry) and proudly call herself a geek, as if these purchases were a way to help her belong to that community.

In Conclusion...

These two elements are a starting point open for debate. My first conclusion would be: let's be aware of that and keep it in mind when lusting over a material item from a particular brand or type. Buying video games because one plays a lot is great. Buying video games just to belong to a group and not actually play them sounds a bit more like a waste of space and money.

Besides, there are many other ways to define our own identity that don't require to acquire new material items and clutter our shelves and closets. And I am wondering, is defining our identity through a collection of material items hiding a low self confidence? Like, we'd need items to reassure us that it's who we are? Like I said, open for discussion!

20 comments:

  1. Thank you for enlighting with your thoughful posts about identity and minimalism and consumerism. I think living last year in a tiny apartnent helped me to become more conscious about the reasons and meaning I give for the items I own and display. It helped to identify which items I really found beautiful and functional, and which just aspirational or had no beauty or purpose. Even in such a tiny space, i did think about making it look inviting to guest, but first of all everything had to please me. Now when I moves in with my boyfriend, I find it difficult to "get along" with decorative and perhaps more he has, as if I do not want to build an emotional bond with these items that do not pass my new, more minimalist aesthetic.


    When it comes to geek shelves, i think you decribe very precisely how people communicate with these items. However, I think there is also a purpose for these material objects, as they work as boundary objects, helping people to communicate about the common topics of interest. So these items are not only about building an individual taste and identity but geek shelves also facilitate communication between community members.

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    1. Thanks for the appreciation note, I'm glad you like it! I think it is normal that one's home is a reflection of their tastes and preferences, after all, you are not going to furnish your place with stuff you don't like. I haven't yet moved in with my fiancé in a place that will be ours both, I wonder how it is going to turn out. But it doesn't really matter in the end, does it?

      You raise a very interesting point here about creating a bond between community members with the Geek Shelf. It is true that my article may sound a bit negative but there are good sides to that type of social items! Thanks to each other's Geek Shelf, we had a lot of interesting discussions and discovered new series and games too. But I still think this is something to think of as a consumer, as brands use this a lot to try and sell us more stuff...

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  2. I wish I could remember where I read a great article a few years ago about bookshelves and displaying our status through them (regardless of whether some people read the content or not, as was discussed that indeed some books sit there purely for a status symbol). At the same time I also learned of an artist who paints people's book spines as viewed on their shelves! That way, one could still show those status symbols through a painting and get rid of the objects themselves perhaps! Ever since reading that article I've found it interesting to note that my own books no longer tell my current story - for it's all hidden in a kindle! I kind of like the mystery that it keeps too, as if I can't be judged by a cover and it takes someone time to get to know me before we find our mutual interests in reading. It kind of feels extra special that a relationship gets to that point organically. But still, that doesn't stop me from looking at people's shelves when visiting their house, it is truly an interesting starting point for conversation and learning about them. And we really are just nosy creatures naturally! (I also love seeing friend's beauty products)

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    1. That sounds like a very interesting article indeed! Using objects as status symbols is probably as old as human societies, but maybe the amount of consumer choices we have may have increased it. I agree that it is a good way to get to know someone when you first get invited in their home. I guess the debate changes a bit when one buys books to put on their bookshelves, not because they read and loved them, but just because of the status it is supposed to give. In the example of the Geek Shelf, we all would choose manga, books and games we loved most and wanted to share. What I'm wondering is, what about people who choose a particular item or brand just to belong to a group, or be defined by the object, without actually liking or using it?

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  3. Love this, I had no idea the geek shelf was a thing - but then again there are coffee table books and the mantelpiece (in Norway it is quite common to place beloved family photos and trinkets on the mantelpiece, at least). As we don't often have guests over (I'm a smelly recluse, really) I don't have a special place for things that I like to show off, but the one thing that stands out would probably be my slightly substantial makeup collection. The living room has the most makeup friendly lighting, so that's where I keep it, and I must admit that I love it when friends ooh and aah over my favorite products :)

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    1. I don't know how much of a thing the Geek Shelf is, I just noticed it among my classmates at a time. But I guess it works for any kind of shelf, really. I didn't know about "coffee table books", it's interesting because it doesn't only mean you have it, it means you are potentially reading it these days, since it's on the coffee table haha. I like your little make-up anecdote, it is a nice way to share these things. I hope your friends left your home well recommended about what's best :)

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  4. I've quite guilty of choosing one brand of clothing over another even though I suspect I'm essentially buying the same thing -- I suppose it's because I have fallen for the marketing/heritage of certain brands. I don't feel like I buy certain brands to assert a particular identity; but I do reject brands that I feel goes against the grain of what I like aesthetically, or even ethically.

    I've always thought my bookshelves have no clear identity - it's a mix of books I had to read for schools, classics I bought because one has to start with the classics, prize-winning novels because if they won a prize it must be worth a read right? There are also light reads like crime thrillers and chick lit, young adult books like Harry Potter and Philip Pullman, all kinds of things. I think when it comes to books I feel inclined to be as open-minded as possible even though I definitely prefer certain styles of writing and genre over others. I'm more interested in why a person has a particular book, than judging the actual book itself.


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    1. There can be many reasons to choose a brand over another, and brand image, identity and heritage is certainly one of them for me as well. I agree with you on choosing against a brand because of its bagage too. It comes down to consumer responsibility at a point.

      Maybe the fact that your bookshelves are full of books says something about you? Not everyone reads books. I wonder about virtual bookshelves too, like, Goodreads collections for example. For me, it is a way to keep track of what I read and liked, share them with other readers, and get recommendations accordingly. But it might be a virtual "Display Bookshelf" of sorts as well...

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  5. This is so true. While I love to see what people have in their cabinets and fridges ( I know, curiosity killed the cat...) I think it also really says a lot about what a person has on their public display places. I actually had to go over and look at my own bookshelf after reading this, just to see what it might say about me!

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    1. "Curiosity killed the cat", I didn't know that expression, it's interesting. The French expression is much less imaginative ("Curiosity is a naughty flaw"). I agree that it says a lot about the person in any case: what they like, what they do, but also what they choose to display. That's what I like about detectives like Sherlock Holmes or "the Mentalist". They go over people's belongings, homes, and deducts things about the person's identity, personality and behaviour. I love it! I wonder if the "what's in my bag" posts aren't related to it too, after all, it does say something about the bag's owner as well.

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  6. The concept of the geek shelf makes so much sense when thinking of particular friends, though I personally never considered what I display on my own shelves beyond trying to make everything fit (and arranged by colour). I appreciate the argument regarding which Final Fantasy is best, and I'll weigh in here with numbers 6 and 9!

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    1. It's interesting how some of the commenters went to look at their own shelves to see what was in there haha. I remember arranging my manga by colour as well at some point :) (French editions of books aren't very colourful so I gave up) I noticed that the "Best Final Fantasy" argument is something that comes up at some point or another among RPG enthusiasts - I'm definitely in the 7 camp. That being said, I never played the 6 (not released in Europe at the time), and I love the atmosphere of the 9 a lot so it's a close call!

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  7. Wow, that colleague of yours must have had some real issues just to buy all that stuff for a sense of belonging.

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    1. I don't think that's an issue, I have been guilty of buying video game related accessories as well, out of admiration for particular games or brands (ah, Squall's Lionheart pendant...) I have seen musicians wearing jewelry related to their instruments or sports fans wearing the shirt of their favourite team. These are symbols to show a desire to belong to a certain community of like-minded people, and I am sure we all have some. I find it interesting to notice, and don't mean it in a negative way. But I wonder, why would someone feel offended by that observation?

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  8. Of course. We all have a need of belonging and defining ourselves, so we find a group we like and/or admire and try to be defined as a member and liked and/or admired by the members. I don't think there's anything wrong with that as long as we truly enjoy the thing that is in the base of our group. Like gaming, certain sport or music genre... What I find a bit sad is when people try to fit in just for the sake of fitting in, or when they think that their choices are not good enough so they try to identify with another group...

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    1. I totally agree with you on this! It is normal to want to belong to a community of people who share the same interests and hobbies, communicate with them, learn from each other and share the passion. And owning objects that are symbols of belonging to that group is only natural.

      Like you, I believe it can become something to think about when the goal is only to try to fit in without real interest for that group's base, or if the objects are bought as a surrogate for a low confidence. I don't think it is bad to buy status objects in itself, but I think it is worth being aware of why we buy these objects. I don't think items really help with constructing one's self esteem, and it can be a starting point for a self introspection or something. I don't know really, it's just a thought...

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  9. Five years ago, I moved oversea and had to get rid of most of my belongings, mainly books. Some of them I saved, the significant ones, the ones I felt I would read again. The others I gave to libraries and charities. I could have got rid of them way earlier but since then, I always felt I had to “save” them (most of them were presents or get-ridden-off books). And then I asked myself, what if I actually wanted to possess lots of books to show off as a reader? I’m still not sure it was my case and it isn’t anymore anyway, but I sort of felt it important to share.

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    1. Thank you for sharing that experience, it is very interesting indeed. I remember I had the same feeling about books and manga at the time, I wanted to "save" them, or make a collection, even if I had alreay read them and was pretty sure I didn't want to read them again. Maybe that's out of fear of scarcity - as in: I own them so I know I can access them whenever I want, even if they discontinue the publishing of that series. Maybe that's a sort of collector's achievement as in "I own XX books so I'm an avid reader". There is much to think about the concept of collecting objects in itself :)

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  10. I never thought about it this way, but I certainly recognised myself and quickly identified certain spots in my room which could be "geek shelf worthy". Since I still live with my parents and have a 10m2 room to call my own, especially during the past year when I started consciously rearranging, redecorating and getting rid of 22 years of crap, I created certain focal points. Most of my stuff is displayed on two ikea billys, and while the majority of it, although neat and somewhat organized are just...there, I have two 'special' shelves. One for all my feminist/gender studies books and another for all my makeup (funnily enough both are the middle shelves, perfectly visible both when standing and sitting). I don't have many friends over, but one time a friend of mine noted that 'anyone who would come here and see my _stuff_ would be impressed'. Now it is kind of hard to translate what she said properly, but reading your post something just clicked for me. Because I don't have many people over to admire my months of work slowly arranging and 'curating' those bookshelves which apparently are the manifestation of my interests and personality, it is mostly me who sits on the couch opposite of those units and stares at my collection of books and cat figures and cosmetics. Would this be my way of identifying myself? I see those things 24/7. I am proud of all that stuff. Even if nobody but me sees it. But at the same time, if I were to display different things, or would choose to replace the stuff on the special shelves with some things else, would I see myself differently? I have been getting into alternative medicine for dealing with mental health problems to accompany medical treatment, and while doing research on aromatherapy, crystals etc. time after time I look at my little space and wonder whether I am clinging onto a self-image which is no longer relevant, that maybe this assortment of stuff is holding me back somehow.


    Also, not only on a personal level, but having started my English degree before kindles were available where I live, most of my English books are classics and reference books. Even if I spend most days in libraries, we were taught to have books. We _have to have_ books. Professors of mine on several occasions highlighted books which weren't even necessary to our courses, but they advised us to buy them, saying they are worthy to have a place on our bookshelves. And while I am more than happy to support local bookshops and have physical copies, there are books (even many classics...gasp!) which I don't want to spend money on, let alone have it take up space (book snob talking here hehe) in my room. I remember when kindles became available, but there were people on my course who still got hold of a physical copy just so they wouldn't sit in a seminar with a device rather than an actual book. They read it on their kindle, but still showed up with a copy.

    This got rather lengthy but being a long-time reader and first time commenter at 8 in the morning my mind is all over the place, I just felt like sharing.

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    1. Thank you very much for taking the time to share all this, it is very interesting to hear about everyone's personal experience with this. It is interesting how you mention your display shelves are not only for guests but also for yourself. I have never thought about it that way, but now that you mention it the Geek Shelf is probably as much for ourselves and our own identity as it is for showing off to guests. Perhaps it is a way to reassure about the identity, a way to assert it more strongly?

      It in interesting though, that you mention maybe these shelves may make you hold on to this part of your personality. I wonder if changing what you put on display would have an effect on how you see yourself, it is a very interesting point!

      As for the books, I think it links to the idea of a "collection" of items. Like curating a selection of "must have" to show off a certain taste, or because that's what one "must" own in order to call himself an expert or connoisseur on something. I remember we had "must own" manga series or RPG in our collections, and we would proudly display them on our Geek Shelf. Maybe that's also a way to reassure about identity: "I own the "must own" so I must be an expert in that". In that case too, I think it is a very good idea to curate one's personal items and carefully select what "deserves" to take a place on the shelves, but I think this should be based on personal taste and actual use of the object, rather than an arbitrary list of "must own" imposed by someone else...

      Anyway, thanks for this long comment, it's a great food for thought! I hope it helps you think about your own "geek shelf" and learn more about yourself and who you want to be :)

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