WingColors

I think there fundamentally the same thing with a few small defining factors.

Geeks are all about technology, fantasy, sci-fi etc, in a very general manner. They also bare the brunt of the stereotypes.

Nerds are all about learning -- whatever their passion. Of course a computer nerd is going to share the same stereotypes as a computer geek but I think there's a lot more passion about how the technology works. Because the passion is spent in their pursuit, as you say, socialising gets thrust on the back burner.

But there is a lot of overlap and I don't think most people would care what they call you because to them, they're pretty much the same thing. I reckon you have to be one or t'other to recognise the differences.

I'm a nerd and proud of it.

I am what some may call a geek, with greater emphasis on the word ‘Geek’ rather than ‘nerd’. I believe there is a distinct difference between the two. While both may be considered knowledgeable, one may be considered a little more suave in natural settings.

via 531

Derek and I share the exact same view here. I hope that I'd be called a geek rather than a nerd.

I more share Oli's view on the distinction.

When I think of the word "nerd" I instantly think of Toby from American Splendor.

Yes. I consider myself a nerd. And this movie has uplifted me. There's this one scene, where a nerd grabs the microphone during a pep rally and announces that he is a nerd and that he is proud of it and stands up for the rights of other nerds. Then he asks all the kids at the pep rally who think they are nerds to come forward, so nearly everybody in the place does. That's the way the movie ends.

I set geeks squarely in the computer-related fields and video gaming. Whereas nerds I set in the older realms of books and tabletop gaming. There is plenty of overlap, myself being one of those.
I consider both terms complimentary.
Just my 2 cents.

I'm with Oli on this and will proudly proclaim myself a nerd to all who will listen.

I always thought the distinction was that nerds have to be smart. (So I am not a nerd.)

LOL @ Chris

I always thought the distinction was that nerds have to be smart. (So I am not a nerd.)

Good point there. I knew a guy in high school who was hardcore D&D/MMORPG player/trading card collector type but he was dumb as a rock. So what was he?

jensized: a geek by my reckoning.

Jensized: A dweeb.

Oli: Geeks don't have to be all about what you said because if so, where do bookworms, movie buffs, music geeks, photophiles, art buffs, adrenaline junkies, tree huggers go to?

Both geeks and nerds share passion for finding new things, especially towards what they do best. But geeks draw the line knowing that they can't sacrifice their social lives dedicating themselves that drastically. When you talk to them about what they love, they can tell you 1001 things about it. They love to talk to you about it.

Nerds on the other hand don't really care either way.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Tyme White. I'm me.

People try to define me as a geek because I love technology, computers, sci-fi, and gaming.

Others will try to define me as a nerd because my mind is like a sponge (I love to learn) and I love books and table-top games.

I don't look like what is portrayed of either one.

So my name is Tyme White, I'm me. :)

My name is Tammie and I use labels to identify food not people. ;)

My name is Tammie and I use labels to identify food not people. ;)

My name is Esther and I take pictures of my food. People call me a nerd for that. I never really raise a protest about it, either, by saying I'm really a "geek." :) I tend to think the term "nerd" is a bit more endearing... Meh. To each his/her own. Haha.

I'm a geek. Plain and simple. Geeks are fine, but being called a nerd or a dork is just a level you don't want to achieve.

The more I think about it the more I envision nerds with no social skills and keep to themselves, while geeks are more incredibly into something but not oblivious the outside world.

I think of nerds as socially isolated by choice, preferring to shun social contact for whatever arcane intellectual quest they are pursuing at a given time.

I think of geeks as people who are obsessed with one or two particular things - often but not always technology or computer based. I know psychology geeks, anthropology geeks, surfing and snowboarding geeks and on and on. I don't always relate "geek" to "brains" although they may be particularly knowledgeable about one or two given subjects.

I have yet to meet a geek or a nerd. They are essentially labels, and applying labels to human beings are somewhat ... too general for my liking.

Each of us are unique - I've a friend who plays 16 hour C&C sessions, plus Rakion and Gunz and whatever other Asian MMORPG.

But he's a hell of a basketball player.

And you may say I'm a blogging geek - I can spend hours writing posts.

But I am equally passionate about Judo.

No, each of us are unique individuals in our own right. Calling us Geek or Nerd would only apply to certain facets of our being. Overall we are like gems - too many facets for one single label.

There is often a "negative" reaction to being called a nerd.. someone who is "square" or socially awkward - yet I don't think there is the social stigma to it as it once was..

The idea of the "geek" in some respects has it's roots in nerdship - the function of being massively into something and getting pretty clued up about it. That has a nerd aspect to it..

Geek actually originated in circus circles, to describe those who bite off the heads of chickens (perhaps that is why the "rubber chicken" has often often been considered and in some ways is the defacto geek mascot).

Given geeks the world over regularly bite the heads off people asking for support (*grin*) there's possibly some truth to that. ;)

I am a geek and in some respects a nerd and I have my occasional socially awkward moments (some would call that simply being "shy" in other circles).

And the terms don't worry me in the slightest - indeed to be "geek" is to embrace technology and cool toys.. kinda failing to see the negativity in that. ;)

And really, the who idea behind "nerd" has become partially blended with geek as it is.

Words (or rather, "names") only have power and meaning if you allow them to.

I like Tyme's answer, as I can relate to what she has said.