NerdFun Programming Services | Information Services | Nerdly Fun | What's New? | Home When we take our corporate identity out on the town, we inevitably get one of two responses: * Is that really the name of your company? * I can't believe you call yourselves that! No one ever asks what the company does, and no one ever forgets the name. But the implication is that there might be something odd or even shameful about being a Nerd. So let's take an in-depth look at the critical questions: What is a Nerd, anyway? What's the difference between Nerds and Geeks? Are you a Nerd? Can Nerds find true love and happiness? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is a Nerd? After soliciting opinions from various people and exhaustively searching the Web, we find that nerdliness is a lot like pornography: definitions vary, but everyone thinks they know it when they see it. If you want to see what the Nerds sponsoring this page look like, meet John and Laura. (Yeah, we know he looks like Paul McCartney. And someone recently accused her of resembling Jamie Lee Curtis....) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What's the difference between Nerds and Geeks? Our research uncovered a troubling trend: many people use the terms nerd and geek interchangably. To be sure, nerds and geeks tend to have a lot in common: * Unnaturally high intelligence * Vast knowlege of obscure subjects, especially technical subjects * Disdain for (or ignorance of) social codes involving fashion, competitive sports, and consumer goods (other than computers) A nerd can manage to construct a socially acceptable lifestyle from these raw materials. Indeed, we'd argue that this is the Age of the Nerd: the peculiar gifts and skills that characterize the nerd are in higher demand than ever. Nerds now command pay and respect unimaginable even a decade ago. You doubt? Take a look at the Nerd Prince, Bill Gates. In stark contrast, the geek is forever the outsider. Consider the origin of the word geek. While the modern geek rarely bites the heads off chickens, other violations of the social order are common. Where the nerd might show some signs of sociopathy, the geek is closer to a psychopath. NERD GEEK Ignores fashion Ignores personal hygiene Watches Star Trek re-runs Owns a Star Fleet uniform Has pizza delivered when working late Has file cabinet full of junk food - you can't get pizza delivered at 4am. Reads science fiction Reads Piers Anthony Surreptitiously plays X-rated CD-ROMs Surreptitiously stores X-Rated CD-ROMs on the company RAID. Programs in high level language Programs in assembler Struggles with the dating scene Plans to date upon retirement Pallid skin from lack of sunlight Would suffer retinal damage if caught outside Lives with cat Lives with Mother Listens to Frank Zappa guitar solos Listens to John Williams Vacations at Magic Mountain Vacations at the Weird Stuff Warehouse Reads comp.lang.c++ Reads alt.sex.plushies Wears a pocket protector (but only as a fashion statement) Wears a pocket protector Plays fantasy role-playing games with friends Plays DOOM over the Internet Michael Doonesbury Dilbert As this chart illustrates, the difference between nerds and geeks is more one of degree than substance. Perhaps the nerd is really just a stealth geek - a geek who has managed to hide the true depth of his or her eccentricity behind a conventional facade. A nerd, then, may be a geek passing for normal (whatever that is.). But that's just our opinion. For a different view, you can consult with Omni, a self-proclaimed Geek. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a Nerd? Nerd? Geek? Just another wannabe? Subject yourself to the rigors of formal testing: The Hacker Test The Nerdity Test The One-Question Geek Test Okay, think you've got it? Then take a look at this fellow and tell us what you think: Nerd, Geek or Wannabe? How about these guys? Send us mail, and we'll post the vote once we receive a representative (or even grossly biased) sample. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can Nerds find true love and happiness? Yes! Of course, we would say that, being deliriously in love, with fun jobs, living in one of the premier cities in the world. But don't take our word for it. Find another congenial nerd and make it happen for yourself! Don't know anyone like that? Here are some links to send you on your way: Nude Nerds! While you're there, check out the rest of Geek Chic. Nrrrd Sex! A guide to hacking the wetware. Geek speak! A valuable aid to cross-cultural communication. Tact Filters! Why vocabulary is not enough. Nrrd Grrl! Nerd girls just gotta have fun. Nerd Boys! Homage to the best of the breed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Programming Services | Information Services | Nerdly Fun | What's New? | Home Copyright (c) 1996 Nerds for Hire, Inc. Updated 6 November 1996 For more information contact lstinson@empathy.com