Geek vs Nerd

GEEK VS. NERD



In the ongoing battle between geek and nerd, one must take sides. But how can this be done without a solid argument for both personas? It's time to lay all the cards on the table to determine which is better and answer the question some fear to know:



Are you a geek, or a nerd?



History:

The terms geek and nerd may sometimes seem synonymous, but they have very different roots in history



Geek

While used as a derogatory term originally, the word "geek" gained popularity in the circus. Circus performers that performed amazing feats were Geeks



Nerd

This term was coined from Dr. Seuss in 1954 in a line that read "A nerkle, a nerd, and a seersucker too!" - So really nerkle and seersucker are synonymous with nerd.



Geek Traits

Someone with a specific niche interest/lifestyle that they have become the expert on

An early adopter.

Knowledge can range from mundane to "living encyclopedia" status.

Can be pretentious and longwinded.

Wears ironic t-shirts.

A Mac.

Interests might include gaming, film (both artsy film and anything Will Ferrel stars in), collecting, gadgets/tech, computing, coding, hacking, techno music, screen printing, etc.

A fan of gadgets.



Nerd Traits

Extreme interest or fascination with academics.

Introverted.

Socially inept.

Diverse and sometimes impractical skills due to broad interests in games, movies, science, computers, etc.

A PC

Interests might include: Battlestar Galactica (BSG), LARPing, SecondLife, Physics, Chess, Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Computer programming.



Likely geek jobs:



Web design/development

IT professional

Marketer

Graphic designer

Game designer/developer

Barista at an indie coffee shop

Entrepreneur

Record store

bartender



Geeks can fall for and marry non-geeks

Nerds marry other nerds, it's the natural state of the universe



Likely nerd jobs:



Rocket Scientist

Reclusive professor

Computer programmer

Engineer

IT professional

Inventor

Or work at a video store



Geek Talk

You know you're talking to a geek when they remind you of their "hip" lifestyle by discussing their "cool" habits or dropping pop culture references



There's nothing like kicking it to some crunchy bass while enjoying a good Malbec.

[While pulling out their iPhone] Let me pull out my pocket iPad.

60% of the time it works all the time.



Nerd talk

You know you're talking to a nerd when they insert obscure references into a sentence:



There are 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don't.

I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code.

The box said 'Requires Windows 95 or better' so I installed LINUX.



Factoids/Stats

87% prefer the word GEEK over NERD



17% of Americans identify as geeks

65% of video game designers identify as geeks

50% of technology engineers identify as geeks

37% of bloggers identify as geeks

66% of millennials think "geek" is a compliment

45% of people believe geeks are early adopters

31% of people believe geeks have a higher chance of being successful



41% of people would be comfortable called a geek while only 24% would be comfortable called a nerd.



On average, self-identified geeks have a better view of themselves than others view geeks:



Self-Identified Geek Vs. Non-Geek

73% vs 54% -is a person people come to for Technology Advice.

60% vs. 43% - Is a first adopter of new technology.

59% vs. 43% - Is extremely intelligent

50% vs. 48% - Works in the IT or Tech industry

48% vs 29% - Gets obsessed with certain aspects of pop culture.

47% vs. 28% - Has a higher chance of being professionally successful.

34% vs. 54% - Is socially awkward.



Geek and Nerd Movies

A geek would rather be called a geek over a hipster

23% are OK with being called a hipster

41% are OK with being called a geek



Movie Geeks Love... (and some nerds too!)



Anchorman

Donnie Darko

Tron

Office Space

Arrested Development (yes, it's on the way!)



Movie Nerds Love... (and some geeks too!)



Lord of the Rings

Battlestar Galactica (yes, it's on the way!)

Star Trek

Matrix

Pi GEEK VS. NERD In the ongoing battle between geek and nerd, one must take sides, But how can this be done without a solid argument for both personas? It's time to lay all the cards on the table to determine which is better and answer the question some fear to know: Are you a geek, or a nerd? History: The terms geek and nerd may sometimes seem synonymous, but they have very different roots in history: Geek Nerd While used as a derogatory term originally, the word "geek" gained popularity in the circus. Circus performers that performed amazing feats were Geeks. This term was coined from Dr. Seuss in 1954 in a line that read "A nerkle, a nerd, and a seersucker too!" - So really nerkle and seersucker are synonymous with nerd. Geek Traits Nerd Traits Someone with a specific niche interest/lifestyle that they have become the expert on. Extreme interest or An early adopter. Knowledge can range from mundane to "living encyclopedia" status. fascination with academics. Introverted. Can be pretentious and longwinded. Socially Inept. A Mac. Wears ironic t-shirts. Diverse and sometimes impractical skills due to broad interests in Interests might include gaming, film (both artsy film and anything Will Ferrel stars in). collecting. gadgets/tech, computing, coding, hacking, techno music, screen printing, etc. games, movies, science. computers, etc. A PC Interests might include: Battlestar Galactica (BSG), LARPing. SecondLife, Physics, Chess, Fantasy/Sci-Fi. Computer programming. A fan of gadgets. Likely geek jobs: Likely nerd jobs: Web design/development IT professional Marketer Rocket scientist Reclusive professor Computer programmer Engineer IT professional Inventor Or work at a video store Geeks can fall for and Nerc y other nerds, marry non-geeks. it's the natural state of Graphic designer Game designer/developer Barista at an indie coffee shop the universe. Entrepreneur Record store Bartender Geek Talk You know you're talking to a geek when they remind you of their "hip" lifestyle by discussing their "cool" habits or dropping pop culture references: There's nothing like kicking it to some crunchy bass while enjoying a good Malbec. [While pulling out their iPhone] Let me pull out my pocket iPad. 60% of the time it works all the time. Nerd Talk You know you're talking to a nerd when they insert obscure references into a sentence: There are 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who don't. I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code. The box said 'Requires Windows 95 or better' so l installed LINUX. Factoids/Stats: 87% prefer the word GEEK over NERD. 17% of Americans identify as geeks 65% of video game designers identify as geeks 50% of technology engineers identify as geeks 37% of bloggers identify as geeks 66% of millennials think "geek" is a compliment 45% of people believe geeks are early adopters 31% of people believe geeks have a higher chance of being successful 41% of people would be comfortable called a geek while only 24% would be comfortable called a nerd. On average, self-identified geeks have a better view of themselves than others view geeks: Self Identified Geek Non-Geek 73% 54% - Is a person people come to for Technology Advice. 60% 43% Is a first adopter of new technology. 59% 43% Is extremely intelligent. 50% 48% - Works in the IT or Tech industry. 48% 29% - Gets obsessed with certain aspects of pop culture. 47% 28% - Has a higher chance of being professionally successful. 34% 54% - Is socially awkward. A geek would rather be called a geek over a hipster. Geek and Nerd Movies 23% 41% are OK with being called a hipster are OK with being called a geek Movies Geeks Love.. Movies Nerds Love.. (and some nerds too!) (and some geeks too!) Anchorman Lord of the Rings ANN Donnie Darko Battlestar Galactica (yes, it's on the way!) Tron Star Trek Office Space Matrix Pi Arrested Development (yes, it's on the way!) PROVIDED BY: MastersInlT.org Sources http://www.boardofwisdom.com/default.asp?start=1&topic=D10058&listname3DGeek http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-the-Difference-Between-Nerds-and-Geeks http://www.geekwire.com/2011/geek-pride-day-geek-flag-fly-charts