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  3. Is geek an offensive term?

Is geek an offensive term?

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  • R R Giskard Reventlov

    I am Geekish not Nerdish and am offended by the insinuation that I am a Nerd! :-) To my friends that do not understand what I do I am a 'Nerd'; to my wife, kids and those in the know I am a 'Geek'. Personally, couldn't care less as long as I get paid!

    me, me, me

    J Offline
    J Offline
    jchigg2000
    wrote on last edited by
    #10

    This is a great explanation!

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    • T Timothy W Okrey

      Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

      'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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      Vikram A Punathambekar
      wrote on last edited by
      #11

      I like the term geek but not nerd.

      Cheers, Vikram.


      The hands that help are holier than the lips that pray.

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      • T Timothy W Okrey

        Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

        'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

        realJSOPR Offline
        realJSOPR Offline
        realJSOP
        wrote on last edited by
        #12

        It's only unflattering for girlie men. Real men either take action (punch the person out), or ignore it because they don't put any emphasis on people who need to label others in order to boost their own self-importance.

        "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
        -----
        "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001

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        • T Timothy W Okrey

          Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

          'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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          leckey 0
          wrote on last edited by
          #13

          If someone who is a technical person or computer programmer calls me a geek, I consider it a compliment. I also consider it a compliment if someone calls me a geek for having extensive knowledge on a subject such as 80's music. I don't like the term nerd, but I call one of my cockatoos a Nerd Bird.

          Current Rant: "Pope Fever!!" http://craptasticnation.blogspot.com/[^]

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          • realJSOPR realJSOP

            It's only unflattering for girlie men. Real men either take action (punch the person out), or ignore it because they don't put any emphasis on people who need to label others in order to boost their own self-importance.

            "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
            -----
            "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001

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            Christopher Duncan
            wrote on last edited by
            #14

            John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

            because they don't put any emphasis on people who need to label others in order to boost their own self-importance.

            You mean, like "not a real man," etc.? Sorry, John, that one was just too easy. :-D

            Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Coming soon: Got a career question? Ask the Attack Chihuahua! www.PracticalUSA.com

            realJSOPR 1 Reply Last reply
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            • T Timothy W Okrey

              Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

              'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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              Christopher Duncan
              wrote on last edited by
              #15

              Geek was once an insult. Now, for the technically empowered, it's a badge of honor. Nerds are those weird little guys with the horn rimmed glasses, white lab coats and pocket protectors. They weren't cool way back when, and they still aren't now. :-D

              Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Coming soon: Got a career question? Ask the Attack Chihuahua! www.PracticalUSA.com

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              • C Christopher Duncan

                John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                because they don't put any emphasis on people who need to label others in order to boost their own self-importance.

                You mean, like "not a real man," etc.? Sorry, John, that one was just too easy. :-D

                Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Coming soon: Got a career question? Ask the Attack Chihuahua! www.PracticalUSA.com

                realJSOPR Offline
                realJSOPR Offline
                realJSOP
                wrote on last edited by
                #16

                I'm not labeling people - I'm merely modifying their status through arbitrary point value changes... :)

                "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
                -----
                "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001

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                • realJSOPR realJSOP

                  I'm not labeling people - I'm merely modifying their status through arbitrary point value changes... :)

                  "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
                  -----
                  "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001

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                  C Offline
                  Christopher Duncan
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #17

                  :laugh: "Why no, Sheriff, we ain't brandin' them cattle. We're just helping them build a sense of community."

                  Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes Coming soon: Got a career question? Ask the Attack Chihuahua! www.PracticalUSA.com

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                  • T Timothy W Okrey

                    Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

                    'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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                    C Offline
                    Chris Austin
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #18

                    I feel the same way.

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                    • T Timothy W Okrey

                      Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

                      'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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                      Pete OHanlon
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #19

                      Nope. I'm a geek - and proud of it. ;P

                      Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.

                      My blog | My articles

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                      • T Timothy W Okrey

                        Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

                        'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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                        SimulationofSai
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #20

                        I look like a sterotypical geek. Small build, glasses and and attempts at humor that nobody else understands. :rolleyes: It'll not be too difficult for people to identify that I work in software development. That said, I've grown immune to people calling me a geek(or the equivalent term in my language).

                        SG Cause is effect concealed. Effect is cause revealed.

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                        • T Timothy W Okrey

                          Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

                          'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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                          Lost User
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #21

                          Its OK to a nerd to call others nerds. but it is considered offensive when a non-geek guy say it to a nerd.

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                          • T Timothy W Okrey

                            Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

                            'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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                            Bert delaVega
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #22

                            Geek is okay. It just means you're dedicated to something that other people can't relate to. Nerd is a different story. It means you're anti-social and have other mental issues.

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                            • B Bert delaVega

                              Geek is okay. It just means you're dedicated to something that other people can't relate to. Nerd is a different story. It means you're anti-social and have other mental issues.

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                              stevepqr
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #23

                              Surley only geeks and nerds would discuss such a subject? Everyone else already knows the answer ;)

                              Apathy Rules - I suppose...

                              Its not the things you fear that come to get you but all the things that you don't expect

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                              • realJSOPR realJSOP

                                It's only unflattering for girlie men. Real men either take action (punch the person out), or ignore it because they don't put any emphasis on people who need to label others in order to boost their own self-importance.

                                "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
                                -----
                                "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001

                                R Offline
                                R Offline
                                Roger Wright
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #24

                                Well said, John! :-D If you depend on the opinions of others to define your own self-worth, you might be a girlie-man.

                                "A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

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                                • T Timothy W Okrey

                                  Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

                                  'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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                                  R Offline
                                  Richard Jones
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #25

                                  I almost got fired once when the boss flipped out over the term "user".X|

                                  "Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..." "There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."

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                                  • T Timothy W Okrey

                                    Is it just me or does anyone else feel that being labeled a 'geek' or a 'nerd' is unflattering?

                                    'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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                                    Ennis Ray Lynch Jr
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #26

                                    Well it is better than what I normally get called, "pompous a##"

                                    Need a C# Consultant? I'm available.
                                    Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. -- Ernest Hemingway

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                                    • E Ennis Ray Lynch Jr

                                      Well it is better than what I normally get called, "pompous a##"

                                      Need a C# Consultant? I'm available.
                                      Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. -- Ernest Hemingway

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                                      T Offline
                                      Timothy W Okrey
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #27

                                      :-D

                                      'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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                                      • P Paul Watson

                                        Lot better than it used to be. I guess having the former richest man of the world known as a super nerd helps.

                                        regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

                                        Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:

                                        At least he achieved immortality for a few years.

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                                        M Offline
                                        Mircea Grelus
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #28

                                        Paul Watson wrote:

                                        former richest man of the world known as a super nerd

                                        I would wouldn't call him a nerd. The term nerd implies social inability, or lacks in the matter, and it's usually used to refer to a person that learns a lot about a subject without even though the information might not be useful for him. As a result of their social inability they're usually lonely persons. Geeks on the other hand are pasionate about technology but they have no problem socializing and "get the job done" unlike nerds that will go around in circles learning things of no real use while having troubles planning and finishing the job. I would call him a geek but definitely not a nerd. For that matter I don't consider "geek" as being an offensive term, but I do consider "nerd" one.


                                        Last modified: 19mins after originally posted --

                                        Cheers, Mircea "Pay people peanuts and you get monkeys" - David Ogilvy

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                                        • S stevepqr

                                          Surley only geeks and nerds would discuss such a subject? Everyone else already knows the answer ;)

                                          Apathy Rules - I suppose...

                                          Its not the things you fear that come to get you but all the things that you don't expect

                                          T Offline
                                          T Offline
                                          Timothy W Okrey
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #29

                                          Very funny point. I think that most of the discussion has trailed off from the original intent proving that your observation is correct.

                                          'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country! from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' - Jay Leno

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