nerds vs geeks

[arixx]

I've heard a lot of different definitions from people for these. What do you think makes a 'geek', and what makes a 'nerd'? Are they even different? Which are you? Which do you think is better in some way?

Discuss.

[Pandorius999]

bump. let's see where this goes.

[lifeslayer696]

In my opinon most people consider them the same. For sure thay mistreat them the same...

A geek is someone very dedicated to study who has great results. A nerd is someone who has an obsession. And, of course, this obsession cannot be soemthing "cool" like football in the usa or soccer in Europe.

This said, I'd prefer not to call anyone by these names. They are disrespectful and hide lots of prejudices, which lead to harassment. Geeks and nerds are just like every other guy and calling them differently, makes other people treat them differently...even if those calling them do not!

[Jamie90]

Originally Posted by lifeslayer696

In my opinon most people consider them the same. For sure thay mistreat them the same...

A geek is someone very dedicated to study who has great results. A nerd is someone who has an obsession. And, of course, this obsession cannot be soemthing "cool" like football in the usa or soccer in Europe.

This said, I'd prefer not to call anyone by these names. They are disrespectful and hide lots of prejudices, which lead to harassment. Geeks and nerds are just like every other guy and calling them differently, makes other people treat them differently...even if those calling them do not!

I´d say the exact opposite...a nerd is good at studying, a geek has a strange hobby

[AZRIEL]

[rowdy3128]

in my area...thats the diffrents...............

[69magpie]

I'm too old to be either of them.......though i have been called a muppet.

http://www.goingthewongway.com/208/d...geek-and-dork/

[Pussy Shark]

I think I'm a closet nerd! I like nerdy stuff and football too!!

[m21]

Originally Posted by arixx

I've heard a lot of different definitions from people for these. What do you think makes a 'geek', and what makes a 'nerd'? Are they even different? Which are you? Which do you think is better in some way?

Discuss.

To me they are just labels for almost the same type of person.

What makes a geek or a nerd ?

brains and intelligence. The two things that those who abuse, insult, harass and quite often violently attack them lack.

[Wafarer]

Originally Posted by 69magpie

I'm too old to be either of them.......though i have been called a muppet.

http://www.goingthewongway.com/208/d...geek-and-dork/

Nerd is an older term than `geek' I think. For me, see my sig, I am a Geek, and as it can relate to social adaptiveness, I was out and about in HS, and also enjoyed `pick-up sports' jmo

I remember nerd from high school, and the good nerd,that relates to the bookworm in me is still very much alive

[Goldwalls]

I think they are just words that really described the same thing

[deadly_dalia]

Originally Posted by Jamie90

I´d say the exact opposite...a nerd is good at studying, a geek has a strange hobby

This is exactly what I think of it.

I don't think it's 2 words to describe the same thing, but people often do, so it's hard to tell at times.

You would expect a nerd to get straight A's in school but a geek to know every character in Star Trek...

[tim929]

This might help a little bit.



Glad I could be of service.

[Lioness]

Geeks were originally sideshow performers and nerds were brainy people who wore pocket protectors and carried sliderules...

[justpassingthru]

Originally Posted by Lioness

Geeks were originally sideshow performers and nerds were brainy people who wore pocket protectors and carried sliderules...

Or in other words, nerds were the ones that people picked on in school and geeks were the ones we picked as science lab partners when assignments were part of the grade, lol.

Or as the "Urban Dictionary" describes them:

The people you pick on in high school and wind up working for as an adult.

[ramboy]

geeks are those with sort of cool hobbys like cosplaying or wathc and trade videos of japanese cartoons while studying and get somewat good grades. nerds are overachivers that dont socialise unless its a study group.
BTW im a geek. and my sex life is great because of it (got to bang chicks dressup in skimpy outfits from videogames

[SilverLycan]

A geek is that guy wot bites heads off of chickens at the circus.

The definition of a nerd varies from person to person, but there seems to be an agreement that nerds are different.

[ramboy]

i think ur mixing up geek with ozzy ozborn

[snowleopard3200]

Actually in my own studies on the subject one old dictionary defined them this way:

Nerd: One who does as they wish in society; going against the grain of what is culturally established as 'normal' and 'acceptable' in the drive to achieve their own dreams.

Geek: One who focuses upon a goal or area of study to the near exclusion of all other subjects; often unable to interact with contemporary society, and looked down on with derision and scorn by those deemed to be at the top of society.

The one other part of both definitions I will add is that Nerds and Geeks tend to be the ones who really reshape society for the better; and become rich in the process.

[PushUpBra89]

For me and the people I hang around with they are one in the same. The only difference we use between the two is if someone is book smart, they tend to be geeky while if someone is more technological, into computers and gaming they are more nerdy.

I know it probably doesn't make much sense, but even when I was in middle school that is how people were labeled.

As for myself, I am closet geek. I love medical texts, and learning about different medical conditions and what not [ I've been going to school for 2 years for the stuff]. I can sit there and babble away about different functions of the body and different illnesses. I try not to though lol.

[AZRIEL]

[black-raven]

I define the two like this:

Nerds: the socially inept, Steve Urkle types that find more solace with their chemistry sets and socialise with their study groups before even attempting to talk to a person they like.

Geeks: those that obsess on a particular topic ... be it pop culture, technology, gaming, music, whatever. Generally however they are able to have normal and engaging relationships with society.

[dipweed1]

so what are you called when you're like me and fall under both categories? maybe not both in their entirety but with the majority of both rolled into one package.

[black-raven]

Originally Posted by dipweed1

so what are you called when you're like me and fall under both categories? maybe not both in their entirety but with the majority of both rolled into one package.

Awesome.

[silverhammer]

NERDS!!

[blonde baby]

Nerds are way into school and other boring stuff... Geeks can fall into that category but generally are Wayyyyyy into something like videogames or something like that

[ramboy]

Originally Posted by blonde baby

Nerds are way into school and other boring stuff... Geeks can fall into that category but generally are Wayyyyyy into something like videogames or something like that

i agree. alot of people i hang out with are called geeks for being into anime scifi and video games

[arixx]

Originally Posted by ramboy

geeks are those with sort of cool hobbys like cosplaying or wathc and trade videos of japanese cartoons while studying and get somewat good grades. nerds are overachivers that dont socialise unless its a study group.
BTW im a geek. and my sex life is great because of it (got to bang chicks dressup in skimpy outfits from videogames

totally agree. Nerd implies academic prowess, whereas geek describes the die-hard fans of comics/movies/video games/hentai&manga, that kind of thing.

Steve Urkel = nerd

a protagonist in a Kevin Smith movie = geek (or Mr. Smith himself)

While the two terms used to be derogatory, I don't remember me or anyone else finding them terribly insulting since grade school. If someone were to be like "you're a fucking nerd!" i'd probably be more bewildered than anything else. It's like "dork" or "dweeb".

I do see that 'geek' seems to be self-applied with pride by those who identify with that culture. Nerd is a little more self-effacing, but lightheartedly so.

After high school, i noticed all the kids who got made fun of and who were maliciously labeled a geek or a nerd now have very happy and successful lives, moreso than those who were 'cool' crowd types. And also, some of the most sexually adventurous, voracious, and driven women i meet are geeky or nerdy in some way (to which they also happily and proudly admit).

At last, brothers and sisters, we have taken the words back from those who would use them against us!!!!! ARISE and be proud of thy quirks!!!

[whatwhat2]

Originally Posted by Jamie90

I´d say the exact opposite...a nerd is good at studying, a geek has a strange hobby

i agree with this one, I've always considered myself a geek

[deviousdave]

Nerds are usually associated with areas of academia Such as Maths, computing, engineering etc.

Geeks are usually associated with things like comic books, Science fiction, Role playing games etc.