Nerds vs Geeks

Just recently someone asked me a question regarding something I'm passionate about. As I began to explain my position (waving my hands getting animated and all that) the person shook their head and lovingly said (at least it felt lovingly, maybe it was just a simple observation) "you're a nerd."

After they said that I got to thinking. Am I a nerd? I've never really thought of myself as a nerd. But maybe I am. I mean, I like school, I like to learn, I like science fiction, I like fantasy novels, I like the occasional Star Trek episode....lots of nerdy things. Does that make me a nerd?

The way I see it is, if these things make me a nerd, then someone's nerdiness is determined by interests alone. But if nerdiness is determined by interests alone, does that mean that someone who has nerdy interests but also cool interests, like shooting guns, playing football, and discussing fine wines...does that make the person nerdy or cool ?....is there some sort of balance that must be struck? Is someone with more nerdy interests than cool interests a nerd? Does having any nerdy interest make you a nerd regardless of how many cool interests you have? Is there a sort of gradation in nerdiness...are there ultra-nerds with nothing but nerdy interests, jocks with nothing but cool interests, and then everyone else in between?

I've always thought that the word "nerd" needed a better definition. Sometimes it's used derogatorily, sometimes its used affectionately (as it was hopefully used with me). Are those both current uses for the word or has the word shifted and it used to be derogatory but now its cool? (cause nerds are not protagonists in film, nerds now get girls, and nerds usually make money)

My thoughts on the subject are the following: I think there are two types of nerds, and that within each type there are varying degrees of nerdiness, and from these distinctions I account for every species of nerd. Let me explain.

Nerd types: Voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary: a voluntary nerd is one that recognizes that they have nerdy interests but they are comfortable enough with who they are that they embrace those nerdy interests. These nerds usually are quite bright and are drawn to nerdy things, not because they are dorky (a word which will be defined later) but because they are just so naturally intelligent that they're drawn to harder subjects that they excel in (people enjoy doing what they're good at). Voluntary nerds come in various levels. Some freely choose the celibate and lonely life of nerddom because they can't find challenging companionship in any other way. At the other end of the spectrum are cool people who dabble in nerdiness. These are "closet nerds." They are socially undetectable and can only be found out witnessing their all too polished discourse on a nerdy topic, or by finding a D&D board under their bed.

When someone calls a voluntary nerd a nerd it's usually a compliment, or it's endearing (as I hope it was in my case). This is a compliment because the nerd has control over their nerdiness, and since nerdiness is a lifestyle choice, they can easily give up the nerdiness if they need to to pursue cooler things.

Involuntary nerd: an involuntary nerd is, as the name implies, a nerd that has no control over their nerdiness. These are people that are usually unintentionally socially awkward (if you do it on purpose you're a voluntary nerd). These people usually have an awkward laugh. These people usually go on and on on a topic long after people are bored. Involuntary nerds are nerds by birth, not by choice. If they wanted to be cool they would fail. Involuntary nerds are usually frail and unathletic, normally a painful introvert, and unattractive. However, a nerd of this type, even though they lost the genetic lottery in many ways, is quite intelligent and consummately competent in at least one highly technical area.

Now, earlier I mentioned that it seems as if nerds are determined by their interests, and that the more nerdy interests one has the more nerdy one is. However, as can be seen with the voluntary/involuntary distinction, nerds are only determined by interests in the voluntary case. So, one who chooses to be a nerd is a nerd by interest. Involuntary nerds are nerds by birthright, and, regardless of their interests, they will always be nerds.

So, with these rules in place am I a nerd. I would have to say yes, but I feel I'm a nerd by choice. That is why the person didn't insult me. They said nerd in the sense of "you're smart" or "you're interested in difficult subjects." I am pretty sure that I'm not a nerd in the involuntary sense...I could stop doing well in school, never watch a Star Trek episode again, and spend all my time cultivating and excelling in cool pursuits...I just choose not to. So, I think I'm in the clear on this one.

Anyway, you might have a few questions. You might be thinking:

Isn't an involuntary nerd a geek or a dork? If an involuntary nerd is not a geek, what is a geek?

Well, here is what someone on some website wrote about the subject....

"The terms 'nerd' and 'geek' are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same.

A 'nerd' is someone with an extremely intense interest or fascination in an academic field of study (often an obscure field). Being a nerd is typically associated with intellect, as they often enjoy specialising in complicated fields of study. Nerds may also have difficulties socialising with others, as they may border on being classified as a 'genius'. An alternative definition is that a nerd is often (but not always) very intelligent, and has 'skillz', spelled with a 'z' to indicate that the skill set is uncommon, or perhaps impractical. This may cover a broad range of interests, from movies to games (video and table-top), to more practical skills such as computer science.
In simple terms, nerd is obsession.

A 'geek' is someone with an interest or lifestyle, usually an obscure one, having to do with computers, science fiction, etc. For example Star Trek, World of Warcraft,Watching One Piece or anything like that are typical areas of interest. Geeks can vary in their interests, from fun and sometimes even frivolous things, to heavy technological influences. An alternative definition of 'geek' is someone who is a nerd without 'skillz'.
In simple terms, geek is obsession with immense knowledge."

This distinction seems to imply that a geek is a failed nerd, or someone without "skillz." However, they really failed at the last part of the definitions. At the end of nerd they say "nerd is obsession" and that geek s "obsession with immense knowledge." From their "simplified" accounts of the terms they merely make a geek a nerd with "immense knowledge." The real distinction they make is the skillz one. A nerd has skillz, a geek does not. However, if skillz is tremendous proficiency in an uncommon skillset, then a geek would be a nerd in the sense that they at least have proficiency in random useless knowledge.

Personally, I think the distinction isn't quite what most people think. I think nerds and geeks aren't separate classes, I think nerds are just elevated geeks. I think a geek is someone that has the interest, but the nerd is someone who excels in that interest. So, all nerds are geeks, but not all geeks are nerds--some people love things they are horrible at. And, since geeky interests are often uncommon, that satisfies the early qualification in the definition that a nerd has an uncommon skillset.

So, I have now accounted for the two different types of nerds, how they relate to geeks (proficient geeks), and now I will discuss dorks.

I think "dork" is a term that refers to involuntary geeks. A dork is the socially awkward geek...but it's not because of any interest...a dork is born a dork. Dorks are people that couldn't be cool if they wanted to (unlike voluntary nerds who can). Dorks are drawn to hang out with the outliers because the outliers accept them (the dungeon masters and live action role players of the world).

Now, I'm not condoning these classifications...I'm only attempting to make the classifications clear. If anyone disagrees with my conclusions feel free to comment.

Anyway, I think I'm a voluntary nerd, and I'm cool with that. I was going to make a Venn diagram to accompany this post and visually represent the various types of nerds geeks and dorks and how they relate...but I figured that would be too nerdy.

Hope you all have a great day.