A Distinction: Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks
Inspired by a comment I left on Princes Pessimism's blog yesterday, I thought I would share with you my definition of nerds, geeks, and dorks. Often these distinctly different stereotypes are used interchangeably. As a proud geek, I find this very disheartening. Next time you get the urge to refer to someone as a nerd, dork, or geek, please think of these varying characteristics.
- Nerds
- Intelligence: Typically scores in the higher realms of the intelligence quotient. This is a defining characteristic.
- Social Skills: Yeah right… tends to prefer math & physics over sex or relationships. Rarely has friends outside of the nerd stereotype
- Money/Job: Either a professor or works in a highly specialized field. Because of this money can range from the lower middle class on up into the millions of dollars a year.
- Get's laid?: May die a virgin or if in the richer category, could have a trophy wife that only lets him nail her because of his cash (ie, Bill Gates).
- For fun: Any research news journal or on a wild and crazy night, the IMAX presentation of the theories behind the composition of DNA
- Geeks
- Intelligence: Varies from smarter than average up to highly intelligent. Some even reach nerd-smart
- Social Skills: Fully developed. May have several geek friends but is commonly found in a circle of “normal” people. May even be the token “geek” within said circle. Tends to get along with most people and could even be the life-of-the-party-guy
- Money/Job: Typically has a well-paying job within the IT or Project Management department of small to large companies
- Get's laid?: Tends to date a variety of stereotypes. Personality, charisma, and character tend to be the attractive characteristics more-so than money. Is often found with average looking to very attractive spouses.
- For fun: Is a fan of most movie/tv genres including a specific interest in sci-fi/fantasy. This interest typically does not lend itself to dressing in costume or role playing games (although not out of the question in the younger years). Is also typically a fan of watching or playing sports.
- Dorks
- Intelligence: Varies from average intelligence to very smart although there are some exceptions in both directions.
- Social Skills: Only within circle of dork friends. Rarely associates outside of circle and may be considered the quiet-type or the weird-guy by others.
- Money/Job: Typically found working at coffee shops or retail outlets that specialize in comic books, video games, role playing games, etc…
- Get's laid?: Maybe, but only by another dork
- For fun: Has the original Star Trek in VHS and DVD. Lives in a make-believe world of witches, vampires, and aliens. Can typically be found at sci-fi/fantasy conventions either running a booth or as a guest, but always dressed in costume.
I hope this clears it for everyone…
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January 24th, 2006 at 10:02 am
Label me a geek then. But I am a special version of a geek though….the band geek. Wrap your mind around that one.
January 24th, 2006 at 10:17 am
You know, I was about to put a line in there about a geeks and music … whether the person is in a band, the band, or just a real music addict, they (we) always seem to be involved somehow…
January 24th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
I love that post. SO funny…..What about the people who arent geeks, nerds, or dorks, but have elements of the category in their own life….Like i'm a total geek about politics and world issues, but none of the other things apply. I dont know….what do you make of that? I'm interested…..Really!!
January 24th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
PP, you have to keep in mind that these three classes don't define everyone. These are three related yet very different types of people. You probable fit into a whole other realm of Political stereotypes. To truly define where you fit in that group, you would have to look at all the types of people it includes. You could be a political activist whose mission is draw attention to issues and push for change. You could be a politician which fights for change from the inside. Hell, you could be a politician that is in it for no one but themself. I'm sure we could break down more types if we tried, but this is just what popped in my head.
Speaking of politics, congrats on the election yesterday. I'll be interested in seeing what happens in good ol'Canadia now that conservatives are in power.
January 24th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Geek all the way. I've even thought about changing the 'Nerdish' category to 'Geekish' on my site.
The scary thing to me is that I've thought about writing this same post before. But, the even scarierest part is that it's not the first time you've written a post very similar to something I had in mind. I don't like that at all. Can't quite remember what they were, though.
January 24th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
I'm in your head man … and once I'm there, you can't get me out. I am making a difference here.
January 24th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
All this time I've felt so lost, not sure which stereotype I was. ;
WOOT for the geeks!
January 24th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
I'm noticing no one wants to be a nerd or dork … can't blame'em.
January 24th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
That's one way to look at it. Another would be to consider your reader base.
January 24th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Good point… and I should listen to my own rules. Dorks and Nerds don't associate outside their own respective groups. Touche' Maigh… touche'
January 24th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
…Ya. Conservatives….so long free health care….”Canadia” as you so lovingly refer to it, might not be in a better state, but at least we're free of the liberals…for the first time in years.
Its funny, I was just reading the Globe and Mail *a political newspaper from toronto*, and its so funny, becuase the liberal leader is so angry that he lost, he attacked the domocrats for not criticizing the conservatives enough during the election.
Grantid, the NDP is the opposition of both other major front running parties, but come on…What a BABY this guy is. Funny he never complained when he thought he was going to win. But now that he's lost the election, he's upset, and thinks that the NDP had something to do with them losing….and personally speaking. I HOPE they did. Fucking liberals. LOL.
January 24th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
It always cracks me up when a politician bitches about losing an election regardless of which party there in, because all that has happened is the people have spoken and said, “You're not the man/woman for us.” … How can you bitch about that? It's so fucking selfish to do so!
January 24th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
I totally agree. I have only within the last few years become interested in politics, American and Canadian…and knowing what I do now about politics and politicians….I wish that I still thought politics were boring. LOL …They make me crazy.
January 24th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
Hehe… I know how you feel. Since when did politics become about the politician and not about the people?
January 25th, 2006 at 12:23 am
so who's your party? R or D?
January 25th, 2006 at 8:36 am
To be honest, neither. I vote Republican, but if I had the choice, I would vote Libertarian. I think it's the correct mix of liberal and conservative beliefs.
January 25th, 2006 at 9:56 am
So I'm definitely a geek (except for the fun activities - then I'm totally nerdish).