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1. Was ist das "Freak?"
A Freak is one of a group of people that attended Allegheny College in the
1990s. That's really the only common denominator. In general, Freaks are weird, independent, creative, somewhat neurotic, and have a highly ironic/sarcastic/surreal sense of humor. Freak culture can be summed up, to an extent, as "Mystery Science Lifestyle 3000." The membership lists were highly fluid, with members coming and going at will. Most members had interests in other areas and social groups, which had the beneficial effect of making the group "a circle of individuals rather than a clutch of codependents."
It has been noted (at least by the author) that the Freaks tended to inspire one another to greater heights, and that is something that's been missing as we scattered across the nation from Boston to Hawaii. I hope that this page, functioning as a central clearing house for our efforts, will be a center for that inspiration as well as a repository of history/nostalgia.
2. Doesn't every college have a Freak-like group?
Apparently. Freak-like groups identified so far include the mid-90s Idiots of Carlton College and the Science Fiction Society at the University of Connecticut in the late 80s/early 90s. We would welcome news of other kindred souls.
3. What's the Golem?
The Golem was and is the Allegheny Writer's Group. It was formed on Bec's idea in the spring of 1994, and continues to grow in the capable hands of Queen Gail Giewont. Although not all Freaks were Golemites, all Golemites were Freaks, at least from Spring '94 to Fall '96.
4. Did the Freaks have the Buddha nature?
Mu.
5. What were some major Freak influences?
A partial list of (mostly) general influences includes Monty Python, They Might Be Giants, 'Weird Al' Yankovic, the Illuminati trilogy, "Bloom County," "Twin Peaks" and Tolkein.
Other, less general influences include Christianity, Buddhism, Phish, biology, hockey, philosophy of all times and places, Maya Angelou, the Beats, "Star Wars," China and the width and breadth of Usenet.
6. What was alleg.talk?
Alleg.talk was the local Usenet discussion group that the original group congealed around. Before the title "Freaks" came about, the group was often referred to as the "'Grazers." (Note: the 'Grazers used the NewsGrazer Usenet reader app to peruse Usenet. The above is something of a nonsequitor without that crucial bit of info. But Freaks like nonsequitors, so we're leaving it in.)
7. What is the Official Freak Toast Drink?
Goldschlager. And we drank it BEFORE it got popular.
8. Hey! I remember you! You were the weirdoes that used to howl in the dining halls!
Damn straight. Howling was the Freak Call, our way of communicating across space and campus, even when we were sitting right next to each other. Like all other Freak traits, it did not apply to every member of the group (i.e. Mary, who always fled the room). As you can imagine, letting loose with a lupine chorus in the middle of South Dining Hall got us something of a rep.
9. Is it South Hall or Schultz Hall?
It is and always will be SOUTH HALL. Thank you for asking.
10. Who would win in a Death Star/Enterprise battle?
Wrong FAQ. Also, you forgot to specify WHICH Enterprise.
11. This sucks, dude! Who appointed you keeper of the FAQ!?!
Nobody. I took it on myself, and therefore the result should not be considered authoritative in the least. But you may, if you like, accept it as if I was a pope.
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Last updated 8/30/98, by Dave*
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