NationStates Jolt Archive

Geek = Freak, anyone who is just out of the norm.....chewing heads off chickens optional.

Nerd= someone who is obsessed with something, you can be a math nerd, a science nerd, a Star Wars nerd (though we can't figure out why) etc.

So, are you a geek or a nerd?

If you are neither a geek or a nerd........go away.

Also, share your geek/nerd cred. I think I win.

See, I define the terms inversely: Geeks are too intelligent for their own good in one specific field. Nerds are too intelligent for their own good in general.

But either way. I'm kind of both, and neither.

The word geek is a slang term, noting individuals as "a peculiar or otherwise odd person, especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with one or more things including those of intellectuality, electronics, gaming, etc."

This word comes from English dialect geek, geck: fool, freak; from Low German geck, from Middle Low German. The root geck still survives in the Alsatian word Gickeleshut: geek's hat, used in carnivals

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek

Nerd is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests that are age inappropriate rather than engaging in more social or popular activities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd

Wiki backs me up, and no, I didn't just edit it to do that. ;)

Stereo typing is ridiculous. Why do you feel you need to label everything? Why can't we all just be? Why is Beyonce singing the new Bond theme song?

What about the difference between niggers and black people?

Oh wait, when the slur is racist its a no-no but when it's not targeted against a race it's ok? :(

It's apparently OK to call a professional a geek or a nerd: Tiger Woods is a golf nerd! But calling someone a ****** isn't? Phil Mickelson is a ******!

note: this post is done in a tongue-in-cheek manner highlighting the inconsistensy of calling an arbitrary group of people by a demeaning name being acceptable while calling another group by a demeaning name being deemed as completely unacceptable. :p

Stereo typing is ridiculous.
Yes, but often fun.
Why do you feel you need to label everything?
Because I have a Dyno and it's pretty!
Why can't we all just be?
Sharing geek/nerd cred is not going to negate anyone's being.
Why is Beyonce singing the new Bond theme song?
There is no answer.

What about the difference between niggers and black people?

Oh wait, when the slur is racist its a no-no but when it's not targeted against a race it's ok? :(

It's apparently OK to call a professional a geek or a nerd: Tiger Woods is a golf nerd! But calling someone a ****** isn't? Phil Mickelson is a ******!

note: this post is done in a tongue-in-cheek manner highlighting the inconsistensy of calling an arbitrary group of people by a demeaning name being acceptable while calling another group by a demeaning name being deemed as completely unacceptable. :p

This thread is for self identification and is an offshoot of a hijack of another thread. As stated in the OP if you aren't a geek or a nerd and do not wish to self identify as one, go away.

Yes, but often fun.

Because I have a Dyno and it's pretty!

Sharing geek/nerd cred is not going to negate anyone's being.

There is no answer.

OMG you speak the truth!:eek:

For the love of Pelor, we're deliberately stereotyping ourselves because it's fun and we identify with others that label themselves similarly.

OMG you speak the truth!:eek:

I'm a truth-nerd. *sage nod*

I'm a geeky-nerd.

I'm a hot-nerd. Ok I'm not but I just wanted to fit in.:(

This thread is for self identification and is an offshoot of a hijack of another thread. As stated in the OP if you aren't a geek or a nerd and do not wish to self identify as one, go away.

I'm a nerd. Are you happy now? Wanna hear some physical characteristic I can't do anything about of a demeaning quality or title? :p

I'm protesting against the apparent PC attitude - Apparently, anything else, demeaning or not, goes unless its in anyway related to gender, race or religion (http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/29/news/companies/dunkin_donuts.ap/index.htm?cnn=yes)...

<insert ROFL smiley here>

Yeah, this is a sad little protest... :(

...I'll leave the thread now. :look:

Here's how I define the terms:

Nerd - an academic or intellectual. Someone who is smart and generally loves learning. Gravitates towards bookstores, public lectures, and college campuses. May spend most of his or her spare time reading.

Geek - something of an intellectual, again, but this time with a particular focus on science and technology. Often a fan of sci-fi and fantasy. May spend most of his or her spare time rebuilding computers while arguing about the physics of interstellar travel.

Dork - a socially unconventional or outright inept person. May also be intellectual, but it's not required. Engages in activities traditionally considered "uncool." May spend most of his or her spare time dressing up in Renaissance clothing and singing drinking songs, but probably not actually drinking terribly much.

By these definitions, I am, of course, a triple-threat "all of the above." :D

Geek = Freak, anyone who is just out of the norm.....chewing heads off chickens optional.

Nerd= someone who is obsessed with something, you can be a math nerd, a science nerd, a Star Wars nerd (though we can't figure out why) etc.

So, are you a geek or a nerd?

If you are neither a geek or a nerd........go away.

Also, share your geek/nerd cred. I think I win.

I am :

NS nerd, War/weapons nerd, sci-fi nerd, realism nerd, and a social geek.

*hauls ass outta here*

What about the difference between niggers and black people?

Oh wait, when the slur is racist its a no-no but when it's not targeted against a race it's ok? :(

It's apparently OK to call a professional a geek or a nerd: Tiger Woods is a golf nerd! But calling someone a ****** isn't? Phil Mickelson is a ******!

note: this post is done in a tongue-in-cheek manner highlighting the inconsistensy of calling an arbitrary group of people by a demeaning name being acceptable while calling another group by a demeaning name being deemed as completely unacceptable. :p

Ah, but it's not about calling others by demeaning names - it's about reclaiming those demeaning names with pride. If I was saying, "Oh, that so-and-so is such a pathetic geek," it'd be one thing, but I'm not. What I'm saying is "Hell yeah, I'm a geek, and I LIKE it." There's very few better ways to fight an insult than to take it as a compliment, and so every time anyone has ever told me, "You're such a nerd" or "you're so WEIRD" I've said, "Thank you!" I go away feeling happy, and they go away deflated and baffled. It's great. :p

Stereo typing is ridiculous. Why do you feel you need to label everything? Why can't we all just be? Why is Beyonce singing the new Bond theme song?

What? Oh, that's just wrong... I guess if it isn't very popish it could be alright.

I've a different definition.

Geek: One who is intelligent and obsessed with modern technology. Example: Bill Gates

Nerd: One who associates with common "Nerd" culture, and freely expresses such belief. Also used as a derogatory term.

You can be both, but if you're neither....

You shouldn't be on here!:D

I'm both.

Geek = Freak, anyone who is just out of the norm.....chewing heads off chickens optional.

Nerd= someone who is obsessed with something, you can be a math nerd, a science nerd, a Star Wars nerd (though we can't figure out why) etc.
A geek is a person who takes a hobby so seriously it's socially awkward. The type of geek is determined by what hobby they focus on, for example science geek, Star Trek geek or computer geek.

A nerd is an intellectual who is inept at personal appearance and social interaction. High IQ combined with low EQ.

Wiktionary has both our definitions of geek and it's only definition of nerd is close to mine.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/geek
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nerd
So, are you a geek or a nerd?

If you are neither a geek or a nerd........go away.

Also, share your geek/nerd cred. I think I win.
I'm a computer geek but look more like a hippie than a nerd.

Stereo typing is ridiculous. Why do you feel you need to label everything? Why can't we all just be? Why is Beyonce singing the new Bond theme song?

Because that's what we do, the human race. We make sense out of chaos, marking it out with weddings and Christmas and calendars.

I'm a gerd ... or maybe a neek. I don't know *whines.*

Nerd: Ambitiously clever person.
Geek: Socially inept person who has not yet been made aware of the fact.

According to Smunkee's definitions, I am both a geek and a nerd.

Geek 'cuz I'm WAY out of the norm. :p

Nerd 'cuz I'm obsessed with the (dwarf) Planet Pluto.