Geeks vs. Nerds
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 1:59 pm
Inspired by today's xkcd. 
The definition I grew up on is similar to his (hover text), that a geek is someone who is just really into something or knows a lot about it. So if you're into computers, you're a computer geek. If you know a lot about history, you're a history geek. But geeks still behave "normally" and can interact with others on things that aren't computers or history. Nerds, on the other hand, are dominated by their obsession. A computer nerd never leaves his computer. He thinks of it as a real person. His wardrobe consists entirely of shirts with his WoW characters and guild tabard on them. It becomes very obvious very soon that someone is a nerd and not just a geek. Usually, nerds have worse social skills than geeks because all they really care about is their nerdy obsession and could care less what others think about it, except those with the same obsession.
I, for one, think of myself as a computer geek with nerdy leanings. I spend the majority of my day (work and free time) on the computer. I make computer jokes to computer friends. I have a strong attachment to MY computer; it's not just "another machine". But I can go a week without being on it (if I have to
). I can go to social events and hangout with friends without ever bringing up programming or WoW or other computery things if none of them are into it.
Other's thoughts on the subject?
The definition I grew up on is similar to his (hover text), that a geek is someone who is just really into something or knows a lot about it. So if you're into computers, you're a computer geek. If you know a lot about history, you're a history geek. But geeks still behave "normally" and can interact with others on things that aren't computers or history. Nerds, on the other hand, are dominated by their obsession. A computer nerd never leaves his computer. He thinks of it as a real person. His wardrobe consists entirely of shirts with his WoW characters and guild tabard on them. It becomes very obvious very soon that someone is a nerd and not just a geek. Usually, nerds have worse social skills than geeks because all they really care about is their nerdy obsession and could care less what others think about it, except those with the same obsession.
I, for one, think of myself as a computer geek with nerdy leanings. I spend the majority of my day (work and free time) on the computer. I make computer jokes to computer friends. I have a strong attachment to MY computer; it's not just "another machine". But I can go a week without being on it (if I have to
). I can go to social events and hangout with friends without ever bringing up programming or WoW or other computery things if none of them are into it.Other's thoughts on the subject?
) : 
