Difference Between Nerd and Geek

Has anyone written a scientific treatise on the differences between nerd and geek?

On the one hand, I could instigate endless debate about the finer points of nerds.

On the other hand I could construct nerds with a 3-D meat printer.

@programmerhumor@lemmy.ml

  • @snooggums@midwest.social
    link
    fedilink
    English
    16
    edit-2
    8 months ago

    How I remember it being used as a kid in the 80s/90s and were about less popular things like math/science/chess/D&D/band/etc.

    Nerd - Knows a lot of minutes about a thing, but is generally introverted in how they approach it. They will discuss it calmly with other needs, hang out in small groups, and might even hide their interest if they are bullied.

    Geek - Knows a lot of minute about a nerdy thing, but is extremely excited about it externally. They 'geek out about the thing and want to share it with everyone.

    I assume they were used differently in different places and times, so that’s just my experience.

    • @OmanMkII@aussie.zone
      link
      fedilink
      98 months ago

      That’s more or less my understanding, a nerd knows a lot of useless random facts, but a geek will tell them to you whether you asked or not.

    • Ethan
      link
      fedilink
      English
      68 months ago

      I think the word you want is minutiae?

      • @snooggums@midwest.social
        link
        fedilink
        English
        2
        edit-2
        8 months ago

        Yes, autocorrect seems to be worse than usual lately.

        Minute <- just checked and it switches the words and I guess it is time to figure out how to turn autocorrect off.