What’s the difference between a Nerd and a Geek? Who wins?
Some Geek definitions as provided by Wikipedia:
- A derogatory reference to a person obsessed with intellectual pursuits for their own sake, who is also deficient in most other human attributes so as to impair the person’s smooth operation within society.
- A person who is interested in technology, especially computing and new media. Geeks are adept with computers, and use the term hacker in a positive way, though not all are hackers themselves.
- A person who relates academic subjects to the real world outside of academic studies; for example, using multivariate calculus to determine how they should correctly optimize the dimensions of a pan to bake a cake.
- A person who has chosen concentration rather than conformity; one who passionately pursues skill (especially technical skill) and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance.
… and now, these Nerd definitions:
Nerd is a derogatory stereotype of a person typically described as socially-impaired, obsessive, or overly intellectual.
They may spend inordinate amounts of time on unpopular or obscure activities, pursuits, or interests, which are generally either highly technical, or relating to topics of fiction or fantasy, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities.
Other nerdy qualities include physical awkwardness, introversion, quirkiness, and unattractiveness.
Thus, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and is a social outsider.
In the stereotypical high-school situation, they may be either considered loners by others, or they tend to associate with a small group of like-minded people.
As with other pejoratives, nerd has been reappropriated by some as a term of pride and group identity.
Do you stick with Nerds or Geeks? Do you recognize yourself in which profile?
[Via DailyInfographic]
