We've been arguing on the difference between a 'geek' and a 'nerd'. Please indicate your opinions in the poll below. And remember, this is for posterity so be honest.
My understanding of the word "geek" has always been primarily physical and negative, as characterized in the 1977 song "Pencil Neck Geek" by Fred Blassie. "Nerd" is more related to the social ineptitude which is often caused by being withdrawn from mainstream society due to one's obsession with unpopular subjects. In terms of etymology, nerd is also a much newer word than geek
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And I forgot another important qualifier: intelligence. Note that the above definition of geek doesn't mention intelligence, but nerd does.
In high school, there was a guy I knew who looked like the typical stereotype: scrawny neck, big ears, bottle-thick glasses, goofy voice, etc. But he was also very stupid. Therefore he was too dumb to be a nerd, but he was a geek. The nerds were the smart ones, so they at least had that going for them.
Ah, now, I feel that, in current usage, "geek" is the less offensive term. And do you really think that looking up the definitions wasn't the *first* thing I did when this discussion came up? :)
But in this particular case we're talking perception, not literal definition. And seems like most people in this poll agree that being a geek can be something to be proud of, being a nerd, not so much.
In light of the evidence from this highly scientific examination of a totally unbiased population - I WIN!!! Mwahahahaha!
So you conducted a completely unscientific survey of a biased sample group using leading questions and then refuted any evidence that contradicted your original hypothesis. Have you considered a position at FOXNews?
P.S. You know I love you and that you shouldn't take anything I say seriously, right? RIGHT?
Tonight: Does Barack Obama's unwillingness to combat the Muslim liberal oil spill prove that he hates gay dolphins and is a terrorist who loves abortions and hates freedom? Where's the birf certificit? Yeehaw.
And I didn't refute any evidence - I didn't have to. I appealed to a biased population and thus the results overwhelmingly confirm my initial hypothesis.
And I'm afraid FOXNews wouldn't take me - after all, I wasn't quite devious enough to launch a smear campaign against the handful of people who didn't agree with me. Guess I'm just not down to FOXNews's level yet. *sigh*
And yes, I know you love me anyway. Besides, I do have to point out that my brother's primary thesis - that the term "geek" only applies to computer people - hasn't gotten *any* votes yet.
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In high school, there was a guy I knew who looked like the typical stereotype: scrawny neck, big ears, bottle-thick glasses, goofy voice, etc. But he was also very stupid. Therefore he was too dumb to be a nerd, but he was a geek. The nerds were the smart ones, so they at least had that going for them.
Reply
Reply
But in this particular case we're talking perception, not literal definition. And seems like most people in this poll agree that being a geek can be something to be proud of, being a nerd, not so much.
In light of the evidence from this highly scientific examination of a totally unbiased population - I WIN!!! Mwahahahaha!
Reply
P.S. You know I love you and that you shouldn't take anything I say seriously, right? RIGHT?
Tonight: Does Barack Obama's unwillingness to combat the Muslim liberal oil spill prove that he hates gay dolphins and is a terrorist who loves abortions and hates freedom? Where's the birf certificit? Yeehaw.
Reply
And I didn't refute any evidence - I didn't have to. I appealed to a biased population and thus the results overwhelmingly confirm my initial hypothesis.
And I'm afraid FOXNews wouldn't take me - after all, I wasn't quite devious enough to launch a smear campaign against the handful of people who didn't agree with me. Guess I'm just not down to FOXNews's level yet. *sigh*
And yes, I know you love me anyway. Besides, I do have to point out that my brother's primary thesis - that the term "geek" only applies to computer people - hasn't gotten *any* votes yet.
Reply
Reply
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