Being Geek
The title of the next book is “Being Geek”. This title provides a continuity problem with other Rands writings. Many years ago I wrote an article called Nerd Attention Deficiency Disorder. I went back and forth on the title: nerd or geek? It came down to the inevitable acronym: N.A.D.D. or G.A.D.D? Neither are great, but N.A.D.D. wasn’t horrific, so I picked nerd as my term to describe my species and stuck with it.
As titles were debated for the new book, “Being Geek” showed up out of no where and I loved it. Again, the problem is, I kind’a picked nerd as the term, but “Being Nerd” just… doesn’t work.
This topic needs to be addressed early in the book. Am I going to stick with one label or jump back and forth? As research, I asked Twitter which was more derogatory: nerd or geek? And why?
The response was fascinating. A collection is listed below along with some of my thoughts. Statistically, almost 50% said nerd was more derogatory. 15% nominated geek. 33% picked neither or abstained. 5% nominated dork.
This is good news for the title, but does little to settle issue regarding picking a name and sticking with it. You be the judge:
- “Neither they are different things. geek think fandom. nerd think science.” (sceptre1067)
- “Gerd, because non-musical mashups are always in poor taste.” (Elebertus)
- “nerd because they have no style or social skills.” (rdubulous)
- “Nerd is more derogatory to me. I definitely use “geeky” as a compliment and point of connection when I describe people to each other.” (lrprice)
- “Geek was more often used derogatively towards theatre types in high school. Though that doesn’t stop me from identifying as one.” (rosko)
- “Nerd is more derogatory because it is more broad. Geek refers to someone technical in some way.” (billread)
- “I find “nerd” and “geek” acceptable. “Dork,” however, I feel is the insulting term.” (kiyoshimartinez)
- “my think is thus. Nerds = intelligent. Geeks = antisocial.” (stupidbob307)
- “nerd: seems to connotate a lack of self and other-awareness. Geeks are smart, but temper intellectualism when society requires it, IMHO” (jlongtine)
- “nerds don’t bite the heads off live chickens … but that doesn’t answer the question” (fortawesomer)
- “nerd is way worse than geek. Geeks are useful, and occasionally cute.” (alice_at_night)
- “geek sheik. nerd terd. Id prefer to be called a geek.” (PlutoniumX)
- “Nerd. Nobody has ever called me a geek while punching me.” (thunderpete)
- “I’ve always thought that Nerd is about passion while Geek is about skill. But then, as a Tri-Lamb, I would think that, wouldn’t I?” (lonelysandwich)
- “nerd, definitely, to me a nerd is more trainspottery than a geek, geeks can be anoraks, but nerds are always anoraks (it is a UKism)” (jamesk) (ed: wtf?)
- “I had a friend that always said that a nerd was a geek with good grades” (gooddoug)
- “neither. im a proud geek/nerd” (adambronte)
- ““Geek” always seemed to me somewhat cooler. And not necessarily connected with computers.” (riddle)
- “Over here, both are pretty bad. Nerd probably a little more so. “Boffin” is still considered kinder. Slightly.” (muirium) (ed: boffin?)
- “nerd is def more derogatory. To me It has a more socially inept connotation.” (hacintosh)
- “You praise the geek who built your website and laugh at the nerd waiting in line for Star Trek.” (PatrickTulskie) (ed: this is spot on)
- “Who says they’re derogatory? Nerd is more specific to science fiction/gaming fans and geek is tech related. They overlap though.” (zRows)
- “Geek is more derogatory because being a nerd is about lifelong learning; a geek obsesses about minutiae.” (jbwebb)
- “In modern use, nerds are smart, and geeks are passionate-or at least well-read. Neither is derogatory. Nerd is the bigger compliment.” (bmf)
- “whatever. nerd/geek differences seem regional/sub-cultural. like pop vs soda or trekkie vs trekker” (freiheit)
- “Nerd is academic interests > geek is hobby interests > dork is socially stunted.” (SelfishIdol)
- “Geek. Nerd implies more academic or intellectual hobbies, geeks are into “odd” or unpopular things.” (jmlane)
- “Nerd does not relate to a skill. Geek adds value.” (papagarzio) (ed: interesting)
- “I think Nerd, it seems to imply a certain social awkwardness, Geek is more like ‘overabundance of knowledge in an esoteric topic’ - For instance, being a “Food Geek” would not necessarily make you “Nerdy”” (ZacHarmany)
- “Both aren’t derogatory for me. Geek - other cool stuff = Nerd. A geek knows his stuff, a nerd knows only that.” (amaragrawal)
- “Neither, but “geek” implies more social skills” (thisisroot)
- “Nerd… I consider myself a geek and have no problems with that moniker.” (maniacnl)
- “Some actually don’t mind receiving either title, but to me Geeks are usually thought of as socially inept, while Nerds are not.” (waakeupcall)
- “Calling someone a dork seems more playful and flirty. You’re right….geeks are great at something and nerds love something, LOL!” (Handy_Randy)
- “I’ve always thought that geeks were nerds who also had some sort of social life, so I’d say “nerd” is more derogatory.” (cassarani)
- “neither? I typically identify myself as a nerd who tends to geek out over certain topics. nerd is constant with periodic geekery?” (bryanjswift)
- “I don’t take either to be particularly derogatory unless specific tones are in play.” (zacharydanger)
- “Nerd and geek have both lost their edge. Dork is the insult of choice.” (sheepeeh) (ed: I agree)
- “a geek is a nerd w/ some degree of social skills. a nerd is just a nerd.” (wobbet)
- “Both can be equally derogatory. It just depends on how they are said.” (lazataz)
- “Nerd. “Geek” implies skills. “Nerd” implies lack of skills.” (mischakrilov)
- “Nerd, because it also implies a lack of social skills and such” (danellis)
- “Nerd is far more derogatory because IMO it’s farther down the rabbit hole. Geeks are obsessive but not cripplingly so.” (theghostofzandr)
- “Geeks bite heads off of chickens in circus sideshows. Nerds are interested in topics despite risks of being socially ostracized.” (hellbox)
- “Depends entirely on the context. I would rather call myself a nerd (surprise…)- the wikipedia entry definitely sounds better…” (somerandomnerd)
- “both are anything but negative in my book, almost Awesome. Today I use Dweeb and Schmo the way we used Nerd and Geek ten years ago.” (randalltodd)
- “”Geek” is worse than “nerd”: I don’t bite heads off chickens (cf circus geek).” (catenate)
- “I always thought geek was nicer than nerd. Geek implies employability and intellectual curiosity. Nerd implies playing WOW all day.” (robertpalmer)
- “neither are derogatory. Both are merely silly.” (robertbrook)
- “My feeling is that people self-identify as “geek” and get *called* nerd, but that is in no way empirical.” (clockworksimon) (ed: you, sir, are a geek)
- “It’s highly regional, from my informal research. Therefore I have chosen to take both as equal compliments :)” (nevyn)
- “def nerd; prob because of Revenge of the Nerds, etc. geek seems to have been owned more by our people. personally, I embrace both…” (joshuajabbour)
- “People seem to willingly call themselves both, but Geek, as a sound, is less attractive.” (robertjosiah)
- “I don’t find either to be derogatory and might introduce myself as either one.” (rhacer)
- “”Geek” is more synonymous with hacker while “nerds” get beat up and do homework for jocks. At least that’s what I tell myself.” (Timchi)
- “Geek. It has implications of being unusual and strange in a negative way.” (mzarra)
- “Nerd. Tainted by the movies documenting their revenge.” (longbored)
- “A geek watches Star Trek. A nerd owns a Star Trek uniform. I class myself as Geek for this reason.” (Kosh42EFG) (ed: timely and relevant)
- “neither (or both, depending on who’s saying it). Call myself both at various times, more likely to self-identify as nerd.” (darkuncle)
- “Geek just implies an interest in Technology. Nerd implies an unhealthy obsession with anything. Also Geek is now Chic.” (sh1mmer)
- “Neither are. I pride myself in being an all out Geek. ; )” (MikeGrace)
- “nerd is more derogatory. geek is a badge of honour!” (sirvivian)
- “Definitely geek. Geeks are socially awkward, and not necessarily smart - nerds are smart and just WAY too psyched by arcane topics.” (ljharb)
