About Me. PWT :)> ™©®

Welcome to my little corner of the Internet. My name is Wesley Tyler, though many people know me simply as ElderGeek. I was born and raised in South Carolina and have spent most of my life chasing knowledge, asking questions, and exploring ideas that many people overlook. Some folks collect stamps, coins, or baseball cards. I collect information, experiences, stories, and the occasional rabbit hole.

By profession, I am a technology guy. I’ve worked with computers, networks, communications systems, and emerging technologies for decades, dating back to the days of bulletin board systems, SYSOPs, dial-up modems, and the early Internet. Today my interests include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, wireless communications, radio technology, and whatever fascinating new invention is waiting just around the corner. Technology changes constantly, and I enjoy trying to stay one step ahead of it.

My work and personal interests have taken me across much of the United States and beyond. Along the way, I have met remarkable people, discovered hidden places, explored forgotten communities, and collected more stories than I could ever hope to tell. Travel has taught me that every town, every family, every old building, and every person has a story worth hearing if you are willing to listen.

When I’m not immersed in technology, you’ll usually find me digging into history, researching old stories, studying artifacts, exploring forgotten places, or trying to uncover some piece of knowledge that has slipped through the cracks of time. I have always been fascinated by the idea that the most interesting truths are often hiding in plain sight.

I am the steward of Swash Manor, believed to be the oldest surviving residence within the city limits of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The property sits on land that has revealed evidence of human activity stretching back thousands of years. Pottery fragments, stone tools, shells, and other artifacts continue to emerge from the soil, serving as reminders that people lived, worked, loved, struggled, and left their mark here long before any of us arrived. Living in a place with that much history tends to change how you see the world.

My fascination with local history, archaeology, genealogy, folklore, preservation, and storytelling has become a lifelong pursuit. I believe that once a story is forgotten, a piece of our collective history disappears with it. Whether researching an old family photograph, documenting a historic building, studying an artifact, or preserving the memory of a local business or community tradition, I enjoy helping keep those stories alive.

I have a lifelong fascination with lost, forgotten, unusual, and occasionally forbidden knowledge. History, folklore, symbolism, spirituality, consciousness, ancient cultures, unexplained mysteries, hidden connections, and the nature of reality itself have all earned my attention at one time or another. I believe curiosity is one of humanity’s greatest gifts, and I have never been afraid to ask questions that others consider strange.

I have long suspected that energy, frequency, vibration, and patterns play a far greater role in our reality than most people realize. Whether viewed through the lens of science, philosophy, spirituality, religion, or personal experience, I believe there is still far more to discover about ourselves and the universe around us. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. In fact, the older I get, the more I realize how many questions remain unanswered.

Food is another passion of mine. I am a proud Southern foodie and an accomplished cook with a particular love for Lowcountry and Delta cuisine. Good food tells a story. It preserves culture, connects generations, and creates memories. Some of my favorite conversations have happened around a dinner table, a grill, a fish fry, or a pot of something simmering on the stove. Whether I’m reviewing a restaurant, researching a century-old recipe, or cooking for friends and family, food remains one of my favorite ways to connect with people.

Life has thrown its share of challenges my way. I survived cancer as a younger man, major heart surgery, and more recently a life-threatening abdominal aortic aneurysm that required extensive vascular surgery. Experiences like these have a way of changing your perspective. They remind you that time is precious, tomorrow is never guaranteed, and the things we often take for granted are usually the things that matter most.

Because of that, I try to appreciate the simple things. A beautiful sunset. The cool mist from a waterfall. The musky aroma of a coastal marsh at low tide. The sound of rain on an old roof. A quiet walk through a historic cemetery. A conversation with an old friend. Good dogs. Good food. Good stories. A good laugh. These are the things that make life rich.

I enjoy both solitude and crowds. I can be equally happy sitting alone with a book, wandering through an old cemetery, attending a technology conference, exploring a historic site, discussing philosophy at two in the morning, or laughing with friends over a cold drink. Life is too interesting to experience only one side of it.

As you browse this website, you’ll find a little bit of everything: technology, history, archaeology, food, spirituality, local culture, genealogy, research projects, strange ideas, unusual discoveries, travel stories, and occasionally things that simply make me smile. Not everyone will agree with everything I write, and that’s perfectly fine. My goal isn’t to tell people what to think. My goal is to encourage people to think.

Nothing on this website should be considered financial, investment, legal, medical, or life advice. Do your own research. Verify information. Consult qualified professionals when necessary. Think for yourself.

I believe in treating people fairly, honoring your word, and respecting those who have earned it. I prefer peace over conflict and cooperation over drama. That said, I have very little tolerance for dishonesty, exploitation, manipulation, or people who intentionally cause harm to others. Actions have consequences. Always have. Always will. FAFO.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time to visit. I hope you find something here that teaches you something new, makes you think, makes you laugh, inspires a question, or perhaps sends you down a rabbit hole of your own.

The pursuit of knowledge never ends.

:)> ™©®