How to become A Techie?

Ok so every computer geek/hacker I've ever met has just kinda been you know? It's like they popped up out of bed one day and were suddenly computer geniuses. I want to be one! But nobody wants to sit down and teach me. My friend said my knowledge is "painfully basic" and I should learn the basics at least before I try to get someone to help me personally. But I don't know what the basics ARE! Please help. Are there any books I should read? Websites I should be familiar with? Ok thanks a lot. Leave a link for yours and I'll see if I can answer it.