Which comes first? D&D or Geekiness

[hexgrid]

All of this depends on how you define "geek," and it's not the same for every one.

For me, a geek is just someone who has, well, geeky interests. It has nothing to with social ability, fashion sense, or anything like that.

So the the way I see it, statements like "I know people who like D&D that aren't geeks" make no sense at all. It's like saying "I know people who ride bikes that aren't people who ride bikes."

 

[Shades of Green]

"Which comes first? D&D or Geekiness"
Startrek.

 

[Truth Seeker]

Better question, who was the first nut, that applied the term to D&D?

 

[Henry]

...intelligent, interesting people who have diverse interests and who can hold their own in any conversation.

To me, this is "geekiness." When I meet D&D players, I also meet people who often:

--know one or more martial arts styles
--have a strong knowledge of one purely academic subject
--enjoy fiction in myriad forms
--have a more than passing interest in military weapons, either ancient, modern, or both
--are rather articulate

While none of these are requirements, I've found these traits in so many that it's got to be something personality-based - if you like one, you're more than likely involved in the other.

Not to draw a relationship, but it's like how serial killers so often fit a certain profile - not all white caucasian males in their 30's or 40's are serial killers, but that demographic makes up 90% of 'em, so there's a corollation somehow.

 

[Corsair]

In high school I was the guy who beat up the guys who beat up geeks. I was like the geek enforcer. Odd position to be in, but my friends certainly liked having me around when they were playing Magic at lunch time.

Other than that, I agree there is a difference between "geek" and "nerd".

 

[was]

I really don't see much of a connection. However, most of my gaming group are football-lovin', beer-swillin', pain in the backside nimrods. God bless em'

 

[davidschwartznz]

To me, this is "geekiness." When I meet D&D players, I also meet people who often:

--know one or more martial arts styles
--have a strong knowledge of one purely academic subject
--enjoy fiction in myriad forms
--have a more than passing interest in military weapons, either ancient, modern, or both
--are rather articulate

I fall into everyone of those categories. Dammit, I've been profiled. I'm officially part of a demographic. Is there no individuality?!

PS One of my "hobbies" is sociology - and no, there is no individuality, only variations on a theme. Please let your self-styled "nonconformist" friends down gently.

 

[Quickbeam]

I don't believe there's any causal relationship between the two. There may be more geeks drawn to D&D than, say rugby. But that doesn't mean diddly...outside of the fact it's more similar to their other interests than rugby happens to be.

As for the inverse, don't imply I'm a geek or I'll throw my pocket protector at you!