Are You A Nerd Or A Geek?

[joeychitwood]

I personally don't know, even after reading these definitions:

Geek – An enthusiast of a particular topic or field. Geeks are collection oriented, gathering facts and mementos related to their subject of interest. They are obsessed with the newest, coolest, trendiest things that their subject has to offer.

Nerd – A studious intellectual, although again of a particular topic or field. Nerds are “achievement” oriented, and focus their efforts on acquiring knowledge and skill over trivia and memorabilia.

Both are dedicated to their subjects, and sometimes socially awkward. The distinction is that geeks are fans of their subjects, and nerds are practitioners of them.


Here is what I know about myself:

• The liner of my shower curtain is the periodic table. Really.
• I watched a documentary on Richard Feynman yesterday on the DVR and saved it for re-viewing someday.
• I found myself getting excited because the absolute magnitude of Venus reaches a year-long high of -4.9 this December.
• I read books on quantum mechanics before going to bed most nights.

So, what are you, if you know? A nerd or a geek? Or are you one of the cool kids?

[Boothroyd]

Geek, who was allowed to sit with the cool kids on most days.

[subtona]

Going to lean towards nerd for both you & myself as well.

I fancy being a practitioner over collector

[skypilot]

I'd like to be a nerd but I'm not smart enough. I spend a lot more time reading that watching TV but am currently reading The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek and finding it slow going.

[SUBversive]

Not sure these terms mean that much after around junior high.

[Cesium133]

Can't see myself as either of those so I must he a DORK.

[rodrob59]

I'd have to say I'm part nerd and part geek. Guess that makes me a GERD!

[sm4k]

I used to run a BBS
I was the SysOp
It had one node, and i multitasked it with desqview

Not sure about collections, but i like to have and experience extraordinary things.

Maybe more of an ADD nerd if i were to confine to the defined terms.

[GradyPhilpott]

When I get into something, I want to know everything I can find on the subject. With watches I have an academic interest and also enjoy accumulating watches to the extent that my budget will allow. I'm also an inveterate watch spotter. However, I don't have much interest in pursuing watchmaking, either as a hobby or a profession.

I have developed a profound interest in bowling. I'm suffering from an injury at this time, but I'm in four leagues and I take a 2-3 hour lesson each week, when I'm healthy. I have about five bowling balls, three of which are high performance, an entry-level reactive, and a plastic ball.

I'm wearing out about one pair of shoes per year and they can cost over $200, but the pair I just bought was only about $100 and I think they will fit my needs better than the more expensive ones, which are now totally destroyed.

I've increased my average by about 50-60 pins in a little over two years of serious bowling, taking most improved bowler in one league two years in a row and once in another.

I read a lot on the subject and enjoy watching others bowl immensely.

I'm not sure which definition I fit, but clearly my behavior is pathological.

[BarkMaster]

Hmm.... I maybe have a bit of nerd in me.

• Built my first ham radio, which I later used as an early digipeater and Fidonet link (mid 80's).
• Created the first networks for a (very) large entity. (80's, 90's)
• Designed and built a break-out box for wireline diagnostics (early 80's).
• Used to replace failed components in electronics before I got lazy...
• Microsoft referenced me once on their front page for a (now dead ) product (2001)
• Programmed an entire HR system. (early 90's)
• Considered a subject matter expert in my technical field; resolving issues for many quite large entities & some smaller ones you will not hear about.

Etc.

[capote]

I saw an interesting documentary about elevators once. Its true. I have collected DVD's once upon a time. So geek I guess? Come to think of it I still collect, in my ever growing bookshelf.

[Hairdude1]

I have to say nerd

[elcompa]

Originally Posted by rodrob59

GERD!

Gastroesophagial reflux disease = GERD (Acid reflux)

[GB-man]

Definitely a nerd.

[kilyung]

I'm more a LOSER.

[gmh1013]

Accordig to my ex wife I was more of a TURD

[wjgoretsky]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I'm more a LOSER.

That's AWESOME. Can I sit at your table??

Hahaha

[kieselguhr]

Definitely a closet geek

[MonBK]

According to some (ok, many) I'm a Prick.

[Andad]

..

[Gaijin]

I was a jock in high school. But I sucked at sports. A skinny frail wannabe athlete. A stint in the Army finally made me man up. As far as Rolex my friends and family think I am a nerd and a geek.

[cop414]

I'd have to say that I'm mostly nerd.

[Bangel]

After giving this considerable thought and doing some more research on the topic, I've come to the conclusion that I'm on the nerdy end of the geek-nerd spectrum.

[Lisa]

Not smart enough to be a nerd in the true sense of the word. Somewhat awkward and dorky? Yeah, that works.

[Welshwatchman]

I'm a cult.

At least that's what I think they say.

[69mach351]

A nerdy geek with ADD....I enjoy a learning, doing, and collecting a lot of different things.

[Thatguy]

Is both an option?

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Bangel

After giving this considerable thought and doing some more research on the topic, I've come to the conclusion that I'm on the nerdy end of the geek-nerd spectrum.

Obviously, a random matched-cohort double-blind peer-reviewed three year study would help answer the question.

I am also a dork and have the shirt to prove it.

[FNFZ4]

can i be both please?

[b06tmm]

I'm a Neek!