Newz Land

(Wellington NZ – Press) On the outside, Glenn Davies looks like any other 32 year-old geek. In the corner of his lounge a dusty PlayStation console languishes under a pile of old PC World magazines; his bedroom walls are plastered with Penny Arcade and Miss Digital World posters; and his PC case sports any number of pointless neon lights.

But Davies is a geek in decline. Like an increasing number of nerds, Trekkers and MMO gamers, he has lost the ability to get excited about new technology, and now prefers non-technical activities, rather than ‘geeking out’.

“I was going to get a Dual Core upgrade for my CPU, but then I just thought ‘What’s the point’,” said Davies, who last week shaved off his goatee and intends to sell his Sin City collector figurines on Trade Me.

“I haven’t played any World Of Warcraft in weeks, I’ve just been using the computer for emails, mainly. Maybe I’ll buy a guitar.”

Friends became concerned last month, when Davies dropped his broadband connection in favour of dial-up, and started watching network TV instead of the latest pirated torrents.

“Glenn hasn’t even seen the end of this season of The Sopranos,” said friend, Brian Elton.

“He says he’ll wait until they play it on TV2 next year… with the ads and everything. The dude needs help.”

Richard Furlong, Davies’ doctor, is a Star Wars fan who first met Davies through the NZ Mega-Manga-Man Club. He is also concerned.

“But I think this is bigger than just Glenn,” said Furlong.

“We’re losing some of our best and brightest nerds. They come into my surgery with their healthy skin, their clear eyes and their gym memberships, like nothing’s wrong. It’s creepy – they’re turning to early nights, cooking, long walks, even MacLeod’s Daughters, for God’s sake. How long will it be before something serious happens? How many online gaming player accounts must expire? Who’s thinking about the lost members of Grakston guild? They’ve lost three level 16 druids in the last month!”

Davies was unavailable at time of print. His flatmate said he was probably “out mountain-biking, or something sick like that”.