Defining Nerd, Dork, or Geek: Criteria for Identification

[FtlIsAwesome]

I would like for you to suggest possible criteria for determining if someone is a nerd, dork, or geek. Those can be three different things.

Here are some thoughts I had a few days ago:

"I decide to go on Physics Forums instead of playing Halo. That proves I'm a nerd." (Halo's awesome by the way )
"When someone says you're a nerd, you take it as a compliment." (Which is true)

 

[Pythagorean]

nerd is a context sensitive word. Functionally it means someone who thinks a lot, bit the thinking doesn't have to be coherent or logically sound.

So in some social contexts, it's a criticism for thinking too much when people think you should be doing/being instead.

In other social contexts is it's an appraisal of knowledge.

 

[Dembadon]

I'm a nerd by most definitions of the word. You should look up the definition of the word "dork" though, because it doesn't mean the same thing as the other two.

 

[caffenta]

I would like for you to suggest possible criteria for determining if someone is a nerd, dork, or geek.

Talking about criteria for determination of nerd, dork or geek status makes you a nerd, a dork, and a geek.

Oh, wait, did I just talk about criteria for nerd/dork/geek status determination?

 

[mcknia07]

I am a nerd and proud of it! For real though, I do get called a nerd all the time. It's awesome and funny!

 

[FtlIsAwesome]

I would like for you to suggest possible criteria for determining if someone is a nerd, dork, or geek.

Talking about criteria for determination of nerd, dork or geek status makes you a nerd, a dork, and a geek.

Oh, wait, did I just talk about criteria for nerd/dork/geek status determination?

Ad infinitium.

I am a nerd and proud of it!

Yeah!

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Well I am neither Navy nor enlisted so... ;-p

 

[Containment]

Nerd = books
Geek = computers

Both words meant something different until the people calling the guys those names realized they liked it.

 

[czelaya]

The defination of what I call a nerd has changed considerable.

In high school, a nerd was someone that I wouldn't want to associate with.

As an undergraduate it was someone who I was always competing in class.

Now that I'm done with my masters and almost finished with a PhD, a nerd is someone who doesn't care about what others think. He/she is passionate about LEARNING something obscure, difficult, esoteric, and beautiful. Yes, I guess I could think of myself as a nerd because I enjoying pondering about abstract concepts such as entropy or the philosophical implications of quantum theory. Either way, I could care less what someone labels me. I'm passionate and happy on what I study and yearn to learn. Even thou it may entail physics, chemistry, or economics.

In the end, I’m happy. In many cases, happier than most. What gives me joy is that I've worked hard and I'm able to understand a small tinkling of the underlying mechanisms of the universe that goes way beyond our little obscure planet and its inhabitants.

 

[cobalt124]

In my family we more or less abuse nerd and geek interchangeably . It's someone who is very knowledgeable about a subject (good), and/or totally lives and breathes the thing to the exclusion of all else (bad). So my family think I am a computer geek, a great compliment I think, but alas totally unfounded. I used to be a pre Peter Davison Doctor Who nerd in both senses. My family has/had a technology geek (not me), Pokemon geek, Harry Potter geek, Star Wars geek, rock geek and Warhammer geek.

 

[BobG]

I'm a nerd by most definitions of the word. You should look up the definition of the word "dork" though, because it doesn't mean the same thing as the other two.

Is a dork someone who pushes on the door when the sign clearly says "Pull"? Or am I thinking of a "doork"?

 

[FtlIsAwesome]

a nerd is someone who doesn't care about what others think.

Same here.

Is a dork someone who pushes on the door when the sign clearly says "Pull"? Or am I thinking of a "doork"?

This makes me think of that Burger King sign on their doors:
"PUSH. You could have things your way and pull, but this door is pretty stubborn."