31May/109
Geeks and Nerds
by Jeff
Image text: The definitions I grew up with were that a geek is someone unusually into something (so you could have computer geeks, baseball geeks, theater geeks, etc) and nerds are (often awkward) science, math, or computer geeks. But definitions vary.
Sorry for the delay, Memorial Day Monday is still a Monday, huh?
I agree with the definition in the image text about geeks and nerds. You can put me square in the intersection of the two as well.
What about you? Do you fall in the intersection? What is your definition of a geek and a nerd?
May 31st, 2010
I think the joke is on you if you have an opinion on the difference between geeks and nerds. Basic circle diagram rules means you are both a geek and nerd. Sorry.
May 31st, 2010
My personal definition is that “Nerds are smart, geeks know a lot, and dorks argue the difference.” (There was a webcomic recently that phrased it almost exactly the same way, but I can’t find it now.)
Jason Tocci over at geekstudies.org collects these kinds of distinctions, and he has a bunch of blog posts regarding them. It’s quite interesting.
http://www.geekstudies.org/about
May 31st, 2010
geek – someone obsessive, or someone who spends all their time on something. A computer geek does not leave the computer. (This is the original old version definition of geek I think – what comes to mind is the Japanese “otaku”, although I’m referring to the bad-connotation societal scourge version, not the weeaboo animu-obsessed version).
nerd – someone who knows a lot about a topic to the point where it’s the only thing they’re good at
geek AND nerd – me
June 1st, 2010
so if you know all about geeks you are a ‘geek nerd’?
June 1st, 2010
The difference between Geeks and Nerds is that Geeks have had someone *else* help them achieve orgasm…
June 1st, 2010
Well, the joke made me laugh for this reason. . . ONLY Geeks and/or Nerds have strong opinions regarding the difference. Everyone who falls outside the two circles of the comic think Geeks and Nerds are the same.
It’s also unusual that no one has mentioned the dictionary definitions:
Geek: a) awkward person
b) obcessive computer user
c) outrageous carnival performer
Nerd: a) offensive term to deliberately insult someone’s physical appearance or social skills.
b) single-minded enthusiast
Whereby we can combine the “B” defintion for each and define all nerds as geeks, but not all geeks are nerds.
June 2nd, 2010
I agree that only geeks/nerds really care about the difference.
In my mind (though I wouldn’t say I have strong feelings about the difference):
Nerd: bookish, smart, good in school, often socially awkward
Geek: has unpopular hobby (computers, D&D, video games), often social awkward.
And both would apply to me.
-E
June 2nd, 2010
Before this week, my favorite webcomic to touch on this subject was:
http://catandgirl.com/?p=1341
June 4th, 2010
Nerdy things: math, science, intelligence, intellectualism, skill, computers, philosophy, studying too much, grammar Nazism, glasses, single-mindedness, research, …
Geeky things: role-playing, video games, Magic: The Gathering, Hot Pockets, obesity, comparing HIDs, arguing about topics despite lack of knowledge, LAN parties, WoW, …
That’s my definition, at least.