[OT] Redefining "Geek"

[mkarol]

For what it’s worth, I think there are some clear regional differences here. My peeps use the following differences:

Nerd – This is a person of above average intelligence whose knowledge, skill and intellect make them expert at a variety of esoteric or difficult subjects, but in turn the devotion to such extremes may yield to a touch of anti-social flavoring. A nerd could be an expert in computers and physics, enjoy a good episode of Star Trek, and tell you the last 50 winners of the American League and National League Cy Young Awards. In other words, the Nerd was expert in a variety of subjects.

Geek – This is a person of varying intelligence who is expert in one particular subject. For example, the ‘computer geek’ would have knowledge on that subject, where the ‘theatre geek’ would have knowledge on that one subject… if said person really qualified for both, then she would be a Nerd, someone with a broader portfolio than just a geek.

Dork – Who could forget the dork? The dork was the anti-social misfit whose below average intelligence and devotion to a subject meant that they thought of themselves as geeks, but were in fact to stupid or unknowledgeable to be so. A dork was a pretender, a usurper, to geekdom and as such was universally despised.

 

[Sixchan]

Well, I've been meaning to get a 'Geek and Proud' T-Shirt for some time. I don't particularly like the term 'Nerd', but it isn't used much here because many years ago 'nerds' were a kind of sour-sherbert confectionary.

I really don't like being called a 'Mosher' or a 'Goff' (local pronunciation of goth), mainly because I'm not one. However, the other group of people, the Neds (and the similarity is another reason 'nerd' isn't used), think that anybody who is intelligent is a Goth or Mosher because they are the only choices and there are no intelligent Neds.

 

[megamania]

My coworkers know quite well that is acceptable to call me a geek, but never a nerd.

A geek is someone who follows an intellectual pursuit others will not or can not understand, but can comfortably socialize with the outside world without much problem.

A nerd follows the same type of pursuit, but can only comfortably socialize with people who follow the same pursuit.

SD

well said. Short, concise and to the point.

 

[barsoomcore]

I don't much care what terms people use to describe me, as long as they include, "devastatingly handsome, roguishly charming, frighteningly intelligent and kind to old ladies and puppies. Well-liked by senior officials and always surrounded by beautiful women."



But I have to protest the notion that Bill Gates has made ANYTHING cool. I mean, seriously...

 

[shilsen]

When I introduce myself to a class at the beginning of a semester (I'm usually teaching freshman composition), I mention that I play Dungeons and Dragons and that I left my "Geeks 'R Us" t-shirt at home. Breaks the ice, gets a laugh, and lets students know that I'm comfortable in my geek-hood.

 

[Samothdm]

Most of my friends use "geek" with a semi-positive connotation and "nerd" with a semi-negative connotation.

What it comes down to is this: If someone is really into something, to the point that he thinks about it all the time, doesn't want to talk about much else, memorizes loads of information on the subject to the point that he can recall statistics of the topic off the top of his head, buys paraphenalia related to that particular subject (sometimes spending more money than he has), and travels to conventions in other cities to socialize with others who are as into that subject as he is, then he is a geek (or a nerd). . .


. . . unless the "subject" is sports (swap out "conventions" for "stadiums"). That one particular change seems to take the person out of "geek" status and propel him into something acceptable.

Get a group of guys together and 9 times out of 10 they'll start talking about sports and rattle off a bunch of statistics on favorite players, teams, coaches, etc. I see it time and time again at my work. And this is considered normal, acceptable behavior. But, if I were to try to start a similar conversation about comics, gaming, Star Wars, Star Trek, Buffy, or Tolkien, then all of the sudden, I'm a "geek".

Weird.

 

[stevelabny]

to me, and the people i know:

a nerd's areas of expertise are more on the side of booklearning. if you can actually program your computer, or do advanced math, or can break down a sentence with what kind of word every word is, or mock the history channel every time it makes a mistake, or watch jeopardy and answer every question...you are a nerd. a nerd is also prone to wearing a pocket-protectors, thick glasses and not being any good at social gatherings. a nerd will excel at the history, science and literature categories of Trivial Pursuit but not arts and entertainment or sports and leisure. if a nerd has any geek tendencies (see below) it does NOT mean he is not a nerd. he is BOTH.

a geek's areas of expertise are usually not mainstream, but with modern geekification, this is changing. the most common geek hobbies are rpgs, video games, comic books, scifi/fantasy books/ tv/ movies, fantasy sports,anime, professional wrestling, being a "member" of online communities, etc. If you just participate casually in any one of these hobbies you are not a geek. a true geek is a master of at least one of these areas and enough knowledge in others to be labeled a master by anyone mainstream. socially, a geek is either a loner with all of his friends online, or the odd guy at the party who mainstreamers like to bring to make themselves look cooler by comparison and to pump for geek-information.

in the past few years, mainstream culture has undergone numerous levels of geekification. must-see-tv and reality tv shows have made it mandatory to follow tv shows every week and discuss the next day. opening weekends for movies used to be only for geeks. now the only time people see movies is opening weekend. and of course DVDs. with all the extra goodies on them, and now your favorite TV shows on DVD it is just the latest in the trend of geekification.