Nerd or Geek: Which One Are You?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the definitions and distinctions between the terms "nerd" and "geek," exploring personal identities and experiences related to these labels. Participants share their views on whether they identify as nerds, geeks, or neither, and reflect on the social implications of these identities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference traditional definitions of "nerd" as being intelligent yet socially awkward, while others challenge or refine these definitions.
  • Several individuals express uncertainty about their own identities, with some claiming to be nerds or geeks based on various criteria, including intelligence and interests.
  • One participant humorously suggests that being a parent has made being a nerd an asset, while another contrasts nerds and geeks based on hygiene and behavior.
  • Some participants assert that they do not identify as nerds due to negative connotations associated with the term.
  • There are differing opinions on whether caffeine dependence is a criterion for being a nerd or a geek.
  • Multiple participants share their percentages from an online quiz to quantify their geekiness, leading to playful banter about the results.
  • Discussions about the term "Renaissance Man/Woman" arise, with some participants debating its appropriateness and meaning in relation to nerds and geeks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views on the definitions and implications of being a nerd versus a geek. There is no consensus on the distinctions or personal identities, as participants express a range of opinions and experiences.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying interpretations of the terms "nerd" and "geek," and the discussion reflects personal experiences that may not align with traditional definitions. Some statements are based on humor or personal anecdotes, which may not be universally applicable.

  • #61
franznietzsche said:
1) Dag nabbit, that's two people. I'm going to have to go brush up on my Star Trek now.

I know someone (via the incredible internet) who apparently scored ~62.19%/Extreme Geek. He is a bit strange. No, very strange. And he wouldn't mind me saying that.
 
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  • #62
Did u tell him he still has some catch-up to do to reach "disfunctionality"...?:-p

Daniel.
 
  • #63
I'm just going to have to get my geek on here and beat all you people.

[/horrible horrible thing]
 
  • #64
dextercioby said:
Did u tell him he still has some catch-up to do to reach "disfunctionality"...?:-p

Daniel.
Ha, I bet he's working toward that already.
 
  • #65
franznietzsche said:
I'm angry, motai beat me, i only got 40.83%, I'm going to have to work on that.
I got a 42.01183% Major Geek. No big surprize there. I have a huge DVD and Video collection (over 5000 combined) and lots of computer experience. Gaming is the only thing that held me down, I'm not a big gamer.
 
  • #66
Artman said:
I got a 42.01183% Major Geek. No big surprize there. I have a huge DVD and Video collection (over 5000 combined) and lots of computer experience. Gaming is the only thing that held me down, I'm not a big gamer.


Im not a trekkie ina anyway shape or form. Thats my problem.
 
  • #67
franznietzsche said:
Im not a trekkie ina anyway shape or form. Thats my problem.
Actually, I'm not either. I do own all of the Star Trek Movies, but I never watched the TV show. The only one of the movies I like is the 4th one where they come back to Earth to save the whales. I like that one because they spend half the movie poking fun at themselves.

I am really more of a geek then the test can show because of other reasons, things like owning 5 telescopes, 4 of which I built myself; building my own microscope; reading the encyclopedia for fun; reading other reference books more frequently than I read novels; etc.
 
  • #68
In one of my english classes the teacher made us do "Silent Reading" time (pretty sad eh? this was a few years ago), anyways when everyone else was reading what I call 'redneck lit' I brought in a textbook on international relations and read that. Doesn't that bump me up a bit?
 
  • #69
Smurf said:
In one of my english classes the teacher made us do "Silent Reading" time (pretty sad eh? this was a few years ago), anyways when everyone else was reading what I call 'redneck lit' I brought in a textbook on international relations and read that. Doesn't that bump me up a bit?

Our school has a mandatory SSS (Sustained Silent Reading) that is supposed to occur, it was strictly enforced in one of my classes and loosely in another. Most other people read novels or leafing through magazines, but I either had a physics book (2nd Edition Hausmann, Slack), or my Calculus or government book.
 
  • #70
franznietzsche said:
Where's the pirate test?
Unbelieveable! I was just kidding around but apparently there IS a pirate test! :smile:

]The pirate Test [/URL]

And I scored pretty good, too (YARRRRHHHH!) - Look at this:

CAPTAIN!
Congratulations! You scored 90%!
CAPTAIN ! yarrrr, ye be worhty to sail ye own boat of pirate scum round the 7 seas! may there be much booty awaitin ye!
 
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  • #71
Entropy said:
I'm a pirate. Argh!

haha, this turned out to be the first post i saw in this thread. really, it works well. :smile:
 
  • #72
44.97041%
I think some answers weigh much more heavily than others. (actually reading the 'How to speak Klingon' book probably boosted my score quite a bit)
arrgh
 
  • #73
Math Is Hard said:
Unbelieveable! I was just kidding around but apparently there IS a pirate test! :smile:

]The pirate Test [/URL]

And I scored pretty good, too (YARRRRHHHH!) - Look at this:

CAPTAIN!
Congratulations! You scored 90%!
CAPTAIN ! yarrrr, ye be worhty to sail ye own boat of pirate scum round the 7 seas! may there be much booty awaitin ye!
82% argh, Eyell be yer ferst mate.
 
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  • #74
YAAARRRRR. :biggrin: I guess I am both a Pirate (First Mate, 86%) and a Geek/Nerd [or a Gerd, Nerk, or Neek] (Major Geek, 42.20907%). Whattdya know...

I think the high score on the Pirate test was because of my unnatural obscession with peg legs, hooks, wenches, and burying things unnecessarily.
 
  • #75
Yarrrh! 'Tis a fine crew, it is! Ahoy, mateys! We sail at sunrise! First Mate Tribdog will navigate, our master of the sextant! Other First Mate Motai, up to the crow's nest to stand watch!

S.S. Moonbear! Prepare to be boarded! We come for your gold and bountiful treasures!
 
  • #76
ARRRRRRRGGHHH!
Prepare! Boarded! treasurful bounties! Narrrgh! beautiful trounty! bountiry treasful.. Urrgh! brownies full ..rrngh..boontif..tro...rrr...gh. wenches!ARRRGH WENCHES!
 
  • #77
Math Is Hard said:
Unbelieveable! I was just kidding around but apparently there IS a pirate test! :smile:

]The pirate Test [/URL]

And I scored pretty good, too (YARRRRHHHH!) - Look at this:

CAPTAIN!
Congratulations! You scored 90%!
CAPTAIN ! yarrrr, ye be worhty to sail ye own boat of pirate scum round the 7 seas! may there be much booty awaitin ye!

93%

YARRRRR!

But that was largely because of me love o' rum.
 
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  • #78
Found some Grey Goose among the bounty, matey? Pass a swig to yer cap'n! Yarrr tis no bottle of rum, but goes down fine just the same!
 
  • #79
tribdog said:
ARRRRRRRGGHHH!
Prepare! Boarded! treasurful bounties! Narrrgh! beautiful trounty! bountiry treasful.. Urrgh! brownies full ..rrngh..boontif..tro...rrr...gh. wenches!ARRRGH WENCHES!


WECHES AND RUM, ALL AROUND YARRRR for ME CREW YARRR!
 
  • #80
Welcome aboard, Mate Franz! You are fierce, as a pirate should be!
 
  • #81
shiver me timbers, tis a crew to be feared.

Edit: yarrrrr
 
  • #82
First Mate
Congratulations! You scored 87%!
captains first mate.yarrrrrrrr ye be second bes at pillagin booty...lets have no thoughts of mutiny mind..


Yarrrr! Somebody's going to be a 'losing his job on this ship! I'm takin' over... :wink:
 
  • #83
cepheid said:
First Mate
Congratulations! You scored 87%!
captains first mate.yarrrrrrrr ye be second bes at pillagin booty...lets have no thoughts of mutiny mind..


Yarrrr! Somebody's going to be a 'losing his job on this ship! I'm takin' over... :wink:


You're outranked you scruvy dog. I be the rankin pirate on this ship, with me 93%.. You'll be a takin' orders from me, or you'll be a walkin' the plakn while i drinks your rum, and help myself to yer wench.
 
  • #84
cepheid said:
First Mate
Congratulations! You scored 87%!
captains first mate.yarrrrrrrr ye be second bes at pillagin booty...lets have no thoughts of mutiny mind..


Yarrrr! Somebody's going to be a 'losing his job on this ship! I'm takin' over... :wink:

Yarrr.. me knew this issue would be arisin' - was warned in me pirate ship cap'n management seminars...

First Mate Cepheid, you are a valuable crewmember of this ship. I am givin' ye a parrot for yer shoulder to show appreciation. Wear it in good health, and welcome aboard, matey!
 
  • #85
Franz, I give ye two wenches and a peg leg!
 
  • #86
ARRRRR! Eyell be the first to mate with Cap'n MIH
 
  • #87
Math Is Hard said:
Franz, I give ye two wenches and a peg leg!

Makin it two wenches and a fine bottle of rum, and you've got yourself a deal, Arrrrrr.
 
  • #88
tribdog said:
ARRRRR! Eyell be the first to mate with Cap'n MIH

Don't be testing my patience you, or walking my plank without any rum or wenches is where you'll be.
 
  • #89
Math Is Hard said:
Yarrrh! 'Tis a fine crew, it is! Ahoy, mateys! We sail at sunrise! First Mate Tribdog will navigate, our master of the sextant! Other First Mate Motai, up to the crow's nest to stand watch!

S.S. Moonbear! Prepare to be boarded! We come for your gold and bountiful treasures!

Aaaahhhhrrrr! Ye scurvy scum will be walkin' thar plank if ye don't hand over thar rum!

CAPTAIN!
Congratulations! You scored 92%!

CAPTAIN ! yarrrr, ye be worhty to sail ye own boat of pirate scum round the 7 seas! may there be much booty awaitin ye!
 
  • #90
Math Is Hard said:
Yarrr.. me knew this issue would be arisin' - was warned in me pirate ship cap'n management seminars...

First Mate Cepheid, you are a valuable crewmember of this ship. I am givin' ye a parrot for yer shoulder to show appreciation. Wear it in good health, and welcome aboard, matey!

:smile: Are you sure you want to be captain of a pirate ship? Conflict management skills like that would really be appreciated...elsewhere!

Back into pirate mode: "arrrrgh...you can't fool me cap'n. I knows me an' me parrot'll be swabbing the decks, cleaning up the mess first mate franz makes as he lumbers around drunkenly, spilling rum all over the ship, before his wenches gently lead him belowdecks!"

Damn...that totally lost it's "pirateness" towards the end. I wasn't sure how to say all that in pirate-speak...
 

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