The term “geek” can be used as an insult, but I take it as a compliment. The “geeks” of the world are slowly becoming the “cool kids.” As a self-professed geek, I am proud to be unique. Call me a hipster, but I knew being a geek was cool since the 90’s; 1994 to be exact.

There is a lot of debate about what the term geek actually means, but for the purpose of this article, I am going to define the word geek as someone who expresses enthusiasm for specific topics previously found outside mainstream society.

One of the biggest reasons that being a geek is cool is because the geeks are the ones making the money. Technology is driving our world and the people behind the technology are the ones the world used to look on as the outcasts. Now, they’re the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world. I know most people probably don’t want to spend hours coding, but these tech geniuses are rolling in the money. The very device (phone, tablet, computer, watch or another wearable gadget, etc.) you're reading this on was made by a geek.

Right now, geek culture is making bank. The highest grossing film in 2016 was Captain America: Civil War. Out of the 10 highest grossing films in 2016, six of them were films that typically appeal to geek audiences; that is, comic book lovers and sci-fi/fantasy fanatics. The topics of geek culture are also being franchised. I mean, the Harry Potter series has its own freaking theme park.

Geeks not only are running the Entertainment and Technology industries but Events and Tourism. There are conventions for areas like board games, comics, Harry Potter, and Anime, where literally thousands of people gather to geek out together. Geeks are building vacation hot spots like Harry Potter world, a Harry Potter themed Bed and Breakfast in Europe, Hobbiton in New Zealand, the Yoda Fountain in San Francisco, and the Doctor Who exhibit in London.

Literature is also exploding in popularity. In 2016, five of the eight films nominated for Best Picture for the Academy Awards (aka The Oscars) were based on books. Previously, literature was looked at as "uncool," but is now basically running the film industry, and well-known authors like John Green are what people would consider a geek. John Green and his brother, Hank, even coined the term "Nerdfighters" and run a YouTube channel devoted to topics typically seen as geeky, such as physics.

I am proud to be a geek, though the rest of the world rolls their eyes when I scream because there’s another update on the "Fantastic Beasts" movies, or when I quote word for word the opening chapter of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," or when I cry because Comic Con is hecka expensive. I know though there is progress, the rest of the world doesn’t quite see the value of geek culture. I’ve still seen the looks and heard the laughter.

But being a geek has brought me valuable friendships with people I wouldn’t have spoken to otherwise. It has taught me about bravery, loyalty, and love. It has given me an escape when reality gets too hard. It has made me believe in impossible things.

Maybe the rest of the world will never understand, but I know I’m not changing who I am.