My Surprising Super Geek Score: Reflections on the Geek Stereotype

  • Thread starter Thread starter recon
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Geek
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around participants reflecting on their scores from a "Geek Test," with many identifying as "geeks" and discussing the distinctions between "geeks" and "nerds." Users shared their scores, with some achieving "Super Geek" status, while others expressed surprise at their lower scores. The conversation also touched on personal interests, such as collecting calculators and slide rules, and the cultural perceptions of geekiness.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the cultural definitions of "geek" and "nerd."
  • Familiarity with various types of calculators, including analog and digital models.
  • Knowledge of the significance of slide rules in mathematical calculations.
  • Awareness of the social dynamics within online forums and communities.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical significance and functionality of slide rules in engineering and science.
  • Explore the differences between geek culture and nerd culture in contemporary society.
  • Investigate the evolution of calculators from analog to digital and their impact on education.
  • Examine the role of online forums in shaping identities and communities around shared interests.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for cultural anthropologists, educators in STEM fields, and individuals interested in the social dynamics of geek culture.

recon
Messages
399
Reaction score
1
I've always thought of geeks as low-IQ stereotypes. Imagine my disappointment when I scored at the Super Geek Level on this test . :frown:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm a major geek.
 
What is the primary difference between a Geek and a Nerd, which one would be more likely to have a slide rule in pocket, and do either of these constitute a squirrel ?
 
I'm a total geek. Nothing to cry about.

- Warren
 
Major.

Paden Roder
 
I'm just a geek. But I already knew I was one of those (I laughed that I got extra points at the end for being a female geek). Hate to break it to ya, but anyone on these boards has to be at least somewhat geeky or they wouldn't think this was a fun place to hang out :biggrin:
 
Major. Extra points for my calculator collection, I suppose. Geez! Like there's anything weird about that!
 
Geek : 20%
 
  • #10
Major.

Extra points for privileges at an academic library while not a student.

(But... how do people live without access to academic libraries? :biggrin:)
 
  • #11
good god that's a lot of questions...

based on the first 2 sections I am a geek
 
  • #12
Super Geek!
 
  • #13
geek 20%

Only interested in Computer stuff :-D
 
  • #14
Strange.. I only had Geekish tendencies (12%)
 
  • #15
Major Geek reporting for duty. :smile:
 
  • #16
Just a geek for me.

BoulderHead asked:
What is the primary difference between a Geek and a Nerd, which one would be more likely to have a slide rule in pocket, and do either of these constitute a squirrel ?

Strange they didn't have one question about strange eating habits. Technically, a geek is a carnival performer who bites the heads off of live chickens or snakes to entertain the crowd.

Math Is Hard:
Major. Extra points for my calculator collection, I suppose. Geez! Like there's anything weird about that!

Digital or analog? I collect the analog calculators (and I do have a pocket-size one that I sometimes carry). I only have about a dozen, but just about all of them are the really good ones. A couple of Post Versalogs (including my Dad's slide rule that I learned on after he got his first digital calculator), a Post 1491 (a chemical slide rule which is extremely interesting and almost more effective than a digital calculator for Chemistry classes - especially if the book is written by Chang, whom I suspect may be a collector himself, judging by how all the problems seem to be optimized for slide rule solutions), a Hemmi 255 Electrician's slide rule, a Hemmi 259 (the sister slide rule of the Post Versalog), an Albert Nestler 23R (the favorite of Werner VonBraun and Albert Einstein), a couple of Soviet Gosts (the equivalent of the AN 23R), and the big dog of slide rules: the Faber Castell 2/83N Novo-Duplex rule (size does matter).

:rolleyes: Uh, maybe I better go back and add a couple of extra points.
 
  • #17
BobG said:
Just a geek for me.

BoulderHead asked:


Strange they didn't have one question about strange eating habits. Technically, a geek is a carnival performer who bites the heads off of live chickens or snakes to entertain the crowd.

Math Is Hard:


Digital or analog? I collect the analog calculators (and I do have a pocket-size one that I sometimes carry). I only have about a dozen, but just about all of them are the really good ones. A couple of Post Versalogs (including my Dad's slide rule that I learned on after he got his first digital calculator), a Post 1491 (a chemical slide rule which is extremely interesting and almost more effective than a digital calculator for Chemistry classes - especially if the book is written by Chang, whom I suspect may be a collector himself, judging by how all the problems seem to be optimized for slide rule solutions), a Hemmi 255 Electrician's slide rule, a Hemmi 259 (the sister slide rule of the Post Versalog), an Albert Nestler 23R (the favorite of Werner VonBraun and Albert Einstein), a couple of Soviet Gosts (the equivalent of the AN 23R), and the big dog of slide rules: the Faber Castell 2/83N Novo-Duplex rule (size does matter).

:rolleyes: Uh, maybe I better go back and add a couple of extra points.

How in th world did you not get at least Major Geek!
:smile: :confused:
 
  • #18
31 % - Total geek.

I was rather disappointed. I was shooting for a bit of a higher score. I think what hurt me was unchecking, "I think this quiz is cool."
 
  • #19
Super Geek. Worst part is...I've taken this test before. Its good to be a geek :biggrin:
 
  • #20
I think the reason why I didn't score enough here is that I threw away my Vesuvan Doppelgangers years ago, along with the Mahamoti Djinns and the rest of that stupid card game..
 
  • #21
Just a geek (24+%) on the cusp. Plusses, my career in programming, my math background, and my interest in self educcation. Minuses, no games at all, except Trivial Pursuit, at which I am properly geeky. Also little or no TV.
 
  • #22
Artman said:
How in th world did you not get at least Major Geek!
:smile: :confused:

I think you have to be a multi-dimensional geek to score well on this test. It covers several different categories: math geeks, computer geeks, gamers, trekkies, etc. If you rated by category, I'd rate pretty high on the math category, maybe at least make it on the scale in the computer category, and score around zero for most of the other categories (except maybe history or useless trivia).

Besides, collecting slide rules is a little like collecting art, except more functional.
 
  • #23
I think anyone who completes that test is a geek :eek: too long!
 
  • #24
I achieved a 19% and am only a regular Geek.
 
  • #25
19.9211%, Geek
 
  • #26
I can't believe that there are not higher levels of geekdom among our members.

I think some people are in denial of their true geekiness. :wink:
 
  • #27
I think BobG has the right view:
There's only mono-geeks around here.
 
  • #28
11,24% Geekish tendencies.
 
  • #29
BobG said:
Digital or analog? I collect the analog calculators (and I do have a pocket-size one that I sometimes carry).

Mine are all digital but I am looking for an abacus for my collection. I might build one if I can't find one I like.
Hey, Bob - maybe you should create a coffee table book about slide rules. What a great gift for the engineer who has everything! :biggrin:
I would totally buy a copy for my Dad.
 
  • #30
They didn't ask, "Do you time how long it takes to mentally calculate logarithms to 4 digit accuracy, in order to determine your blood alcohol level ?" Damn them !
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
17K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
10K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
14K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
4K