 |
| Edinburgh, Spotlight |
A couple of weeks ago while visiting with Dean and Anjela and family at Village Church in Surrey, Dean mentioned a Geeks versus Nerds article, and that the two groupings were significantly different...
Mail Online: October 3, 2013
Cited
'Software engineer Burr Settles studied the words used in 2.6 million tweets
He also sampled tweets that matched the query terms 'geek' and 'nerd'
By comparing tweets in each query Settles devised an equation to discover the words most used by geeks and nerds
These words were plotted on a chart along a geeky and nerdy scale'
'The debate about the differences between geeks and nerds has been raging for years but a scientist believes he has come up with a mathematical equation that may finally put the argument to rest.
Software engineer Burr Settles from Pittsburgh studied the language used in 2.6 million tweets, and also sampled tweets that appeared when he searched for the terms 'geek' and 'nerd'.
By comparing tweets in each query, Settles devised a mathematical equation that established the probability of a particular word appearing in a geeky tweet, or a nerdy one.'
Comment
'The debate about the differences between geeks and nerds has been raging for years'
Perhaps?
But more often than debate the terms were likely used synonymously.
Add the term 'dork' into that mix.
Cited
'Put more simply, Settles worked out which words were used and associated most by geeks or nerds, and what the differences in subjects and topics were. These words were then plotted on a graph; the further along the horizontal, or x-axis, a word appeared, the more nerdy it was. The higher a word appeared on the vertical, y-axis, the more it was associated with being a geek, and geek-related.
For example, the most nerdy subjects revolved around the words 'cellist', 'neuroscience', 'goths' and 'gamer.'
On the geekier end of the scale, words included 'culture', 'shiny' 'trendy' and 'webcomic'.'
Comment
Cellists and goths grouped together. Questionable.
Cellists and those involved in the classical musical scene, I tend to classify in more of a conservative, establishment setting, as they often play publicly for an audience.
Goths I would tend to classify in a more liberal, perhaps anti-establishment setting.
Although seen in public, goths looks different than the vast majority of public.
Also I would associate culture with those involved with the arts, such as classical music, and here 'culture' is associated with geeks.
From the start this reasoning with the terms chosen seems quite questionable.
Cited
'Commenting on his findings, Settles said: 'In broad strokes, it seems to me that geeky words are more about stuff, while nerdy words are more about ideas. 'Geeks are fans, and fans collect stuff; nerds are practitioners, and practitioners play with ideas. Of course, geeks can collect ideas and nerds play with stuff, too.'
Comment
Hmm, I am not convinced...
Cited
'The similarities and subtle differences between the traits were also highlighted by the fact words such as 'intelligence' were shown as geeky, but 'education' and 'intellectual' were found to be nerdy. Similarly, books are nerdy, according to the graph, but 'ebooks' fall on the geeky end of the scale.'
Comment
Intelligence is geeky?
Intellectual is nerdy?
Certainly many persons, including myself and readers have intelligence and are intellectual.
Cited
'According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of the word geek is someone who is 'unfashionable or socially inept'. It goes on to describe geeks as knowledgeable and obsessive enthusiasts, or 'computer geeks.' The word 'geek' comes from German dialect for geck, which means fool or freak. In Robert Heinlein's short story The Year of the Jackpot (1952), the word is used to describe a science, math, or technology enthusiast.
A nerd is described as 'a foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious.' 'A single-minded expert in a particular technical field' and 'a computer nerd.' The first known use of the word nerd is quoted as the name of a creature in Dr. Seuss's book If I Ran the Zoo from 1950. The narrator Gerald McGrew claims he would collect 'a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too' for his imaginary zoo. The slang meaning dates back to 1951 when Newsweek magazine used it as a synonym for 'drip' or 'square'. At some point, the word became associated with bookishness and social ineptitude.'
Comment
The terms can be used synonymously...
Even as not identical words, obviously.
Personally, I have never accepted either term for self. Or the term 'dork'.
Uncle Einer awhile back stated I was a 'geek' as a kid and by this I think he meant geek-nerd-dork because I was very introverted and not very social with strangers.
I am now still introverted but with more extroverted traits than previously. I also am more social and more confident having accomplishment much more in life.
I have rejected the geek-nerd-dork labels for self.
Sorry, but I just remember the guys in high school that wreaked of BO and thought I am not like that and do not want to be like that. On the other hand I was not exactly very social as I found secondary school too worldly and based in unreasonable social structures.
I also did not start using a computer until my late teens.
I would view myself not as anti-establishment but as non-conformist. One definition of this provided by Oxford which fits me somewhat is 'a person that does not conform to a prevailing principle'. Oxford (1995: 925).
This would be me at times when deemed intellectually, philosophically and theologically required.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Ninth Edition 1995, Oxford.
Romans 12:2
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
[b] Footnotes: Romans 12:2 Greek age Romans 12:2 Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God
 |
| This reads like something goofy and ridiculous the classic, geek-nerd-dork might enjoy. House of Mystery 157 No surprise this joker never made it big like Iron Man, Spider-Man, Superman and Batman. |
