[Question] Nerd Fight 2014

What are you

  • Nerd

    Votes: 7 21.2%

  • Geek

    Votes: 12 36.4%

  • Dork

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • I'm too cool for school, baby!

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • I find the idea of labels to be passe

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • Grue

    Votes: 5 15.2%
  • Total voters
    33
Bowielee

Bowielee

So, I've just been thinking a lot recently about nerd/geek/whatever culture lately and some of the labels contained therein. Geek Culture is a phrase that's being tossed around all over the place in the mainstream media lately.

I guess the first thing is sorting out some of the terminology. To me, Geek, Nerd, and Dork have all had completely different connotations. However, I know for some people, they're interchangeable. Obviously, they are similar concepts that may bleed over into each other, but to me the distinctions are as follows:

Nerd- Super into science, math, and generally has the smarts to back it up.

Geek- Super into niche culture. Anime, gaming, comics, role play, etc...

Dork- Someone who falls into one or both of the above categories who is extremely socially awkward.

I put it to the board, in your eyes are there differences? Are these words synonyms to you?
 
Fun Size

Fun Size

I generally use geek as someone who is super into...whatever. Math, science, comics, movies. Whatever.

A nerd is a socially awkward geek.

A dork is a category unto itself, with none of the positive connotations of the other two. Plain name calling, like "tool", "dweeb" or "putz".
 
LittleKagsin

LittleKagsin

Actually, those are exactly my distinctions as well @Bowielee. I don't ever interchange them either.

Like, I would consider myself a geek, but Nate a nerd (he's a smarty-pants).
 
Chad Sexington

Chad Sexington

Geek and nerd is generally synonyms, but I use the word geek way more often to describe myself. I think I like the sound of it more than anything.

Dork I've never really used to describe ... anything.
 
Celt Z

Celt Z

Definitely a geek, and those are usually my definitions as well....HOWEVER, The Far Side has taught me that "dork" is also a synonym for "penis", so ...no, not a dork.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
I picked Grue because I'm a bit of all three. Dork would be closest but I've never been socially awkward.
 
WasabiPoptart

WasabiPoptart

I use dork when someone I'm close to does something dumb, but silly. My friend PJ, who trips over her own feet on a regular basis, is a dork. I don't use it to describe people I don't really know well, if at all.

I normally don't call people geeks or nerds either. I don't like the idea of labeling someone that way just because of what they enjoy doing or reading. When I was growing up it was something to be ashamed of, something that made you an outcast. I would assume that plays a big part in why I choose not to use those names/labels/descriptors on a regular basis. Again, if it's someone I know pretty well I might tease them by saying "you are such a (geek or nerd)". For instance, I called my husband a nerd for wanting me to look up an article in Nature on Dirac monopoles in a synthetic magnetic field so he could read it for kicks. My friends who tell math jokes are nerds (and a bit weird, but that's a whole other subject). Would I say someone I am not familiar with who was asking about that article or who told me a math joke is a nerd? Probably not. They just have an interest in science or math or computers or comic books, etc.
 
ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Nerd and Geek are pretty much interchangeable now. I don't think either one has an official, distinctive definition. Dork, I'd say, still falls into the social awkward realm. I consider myself a dork, for example.

Personally, of the three, I like "nerd" the most because then I can shout NERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRD! to people.
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
This is just my opinion on how I've generally heard the nomenclature used, but "Nerd" generally is an emphasis of a scholarly topic, and indicates a skill level or expertise on said topic. A "Geek" is less about skill and more about enthusiasm/obsession - more emotionally attached to a topic than cerebrally, as the nerd would be. A film geek may know lots about who directed/starred in what and plot points and trivia, but I'd expect a film nerd to be one level beyond - being knowledgeable about technical or craft topics to which a Geek might respond positively but not necessarily know/seek out on his own. It's... kind of like the difference between a scientist or engineer, and a technician.

Dork is simply a derogatory epithet for someone socially awkward. You don't have to be a nerd or a geek to be a dork, but sometimes they are labeled as such.
 
PatrThom

PatrThom

Gas beat me to it.
Nerds know a lot about a thing, even if they don't care about it. ("Brain-motivated")
Geeks passionately pursue a thing, but may not be knowledgeable. ("Heart-motivated")
"Dork" is a label applied to a person. When calling someone a "dork," you are telling those around you that this person should be shunned for not knowing how to act around/with other people. No idea whether it sprung etymologically from "dick" since it is technically a synonym, so I don't know if it means "Penis-motivated."

--Patrick
 
Shakey

Shakey

I don't know how well I fit into any of those. I'm a bit socially awkward, but usually just come off as quiet. I enjoy geek culture, but don't obsess about it. I'm also a bit more outdoorsy than most of those definitions would allow. So, I say Grue.
 
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