How far has this escalated?
Geek Levels
A rough measure of how much equipment, construction, calibration and possibly building control have joined the project.
The short version
It rates the build, not the reader
Geek Level isn't an age, intelligence or risk rating. It tells us roughly what sort of tools, systems and engineering have arrived—not who is clever enough to be interested.
An episode gets one overall level for its main story. Optional Geek corners can wander higher, because apparently restraint was available but not selected.
The complete scale
From screwdriver to paperwork
- GL1
Have a go
Geek status: Found the screwdriver
Ordinary household objects and very little preparation. If it goes wrong, put the cushions back.
- GL2
Measure it
Geek status: Owns a multimeter
Phones, rulers, stopwatches, spreadsheets and simple calculations. Science has now acquired columns.
- GL3
Soldering bench
Geek status: Has a preferred solder
Circuits, sensors, microcontrollers, calibration and debugging. Some assembly required; some disassembly inevitable.
- GL4
Specialist bench
Geek status: Reads the whole datasheet
Oscilloscopes, counters, RF, optics, vacuum equipment or other tools with reassuringly expensive knobs.
- GL5
Complex apparatus
Geek status: Labels both ends of the cable
Several custom mechanical, electronic and software systems must work together. Occasionally, they do.
- GL5+
Research apparatus
Geek status: Calibrates the calibrator
A largely bespoke instrument requiring demanding construction, alignment, control and calibration. Rebuilding it counts as calibration if you remain confident.
- GL5++
Major engineering project
Geek status: Needs three-phase power
Permanent infrastructure, heavy mechanical work and several engineering disciplines. The bench has become a building project.
- GL5+++
Facility scale
Geek status: Needs AI to fill in the government permission forms
Site works, major structures, contractors, permissions, serious power and a serious budget. At this point, somebody will ask for a licence, require a register, or put you on one.