Geekiness scale
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NEWSFLASH: I've also published a shorter version of this article to medium.com! Please support me by adding a "clap" at: The Geekiness Scale |
The scale below is a playful look at geekiness, but I really wanted to outline the difference between being a geek and nerd, so you'll find the nerd scale directly below it!
My Graphical Representation of the "Geekiness Scale" (0-10)
The fun part: Challenge your geeky friends to see who is highest. Send them this graphic and decide!
My Graphical Representation of the "Nerdiness Scale" (0-10)
Geek vs. Nerd
People tend to use the word "geek" and "nerd" interchangeably, but they are quite different. It seems to me that being a nerd requires a certain level of intelligence.... whereas being a geek only requires that you are obsessed with sci-fi characters or anime cartoons! 😛
And yes, geekiness and nerdiness are often correlated, but you can also have very smart people who have no time for movies, board games, collectables or pop-culture reference and thus might score high for nerdiness, but low for geekiness.
Hopefully the graphical scales above have spelled out the differences pretty well, but think of a nerd as channeling their energy into something productive... like getting great greats, or building a new type of computer, AI, or chemical compound. A geek can't necessarily do that. A geek might instead make their own a elaborate steam punk outfit, which is more about creativity.
I think my favourite way to explain it... is what do you talk about. If you talk about fiction constantly - like marvel cartoons or Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) - then you are geeky. If you talk about non-fiction - like quantum physics, computer specs or mechanical inventions - then you are nerdy.
So in summary:
- Nerd: intelligence / science / non-fiction / practical applications.
- Geeky: creativity / fandom / fiction / fun.
So yes, you might yield two different scores!
Geeks and Friends
People might joke that geeks (and nerds) don't have friends or social skills, but I disagree. Geeks do very well socializing with their own kind, because I feel like a geek, by definition, is pretty passionate about something obscure. Once they start talking about one of their special subjects they light up, and so really, if someone is willing to listen to them, and also get excited, you have a friendship form pretty quickly. Same with romantic relationships... you might joke that someone that obsessed with, say dinosaurs, will never find a girlfriend... but what if they meet that one girl out there who also loves dinosaurs? Hopefully, they don't have to wait till they go extinct. Geeky people tend to date geeky people and have geeky friends.... it just works out that way. Sorry to break it to you, but do a quick inventory and you'll see that I'm (probably) right! :)
Disclaimer
These are not a scientifically accurate scale. But you're welcome to geek out on them.
Sincerely,
Andrew Noske
PS: Feedback is most encouraged! :)
See Also
- Graphic Scales - For more of these scales.
- Nerdiness Scale - Similar, but different.
| Acknowledgements: I'd like to thank Rob from Corner Pocket Swing for inspiring this article. Nathan too. Together we talked about the difference between geek and nerd... which is something I never thought about in detail before. I would have to personally say I'm pretty low on the geek side... but maybe I've just never given D&D a chance. |
