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  3. Is geek an offensive term?

Is geek an offensive term?

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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

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              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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                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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                    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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                      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

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                        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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                        • R Roger Wright

                          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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                          Timothy W Okrey
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #30

                          Roger Wright wrote:

                          If you depend on the opinions of others to define your own self-worth, you might be a girlie-man.

                          And how does this statement correspond to the initial question? :)

                          '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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                          • M Mircea Grelus

                            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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                            Paul Watson
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #31

                            Mircea Grelus wrote:

                            I would call him a nerd.

                            I am glad you agree ;)

                            regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

                            Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:

                            At least he achieved immortality for a few years.

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                            • P Paul Watson

                              Mircea Grelus wrote:

                              I would call him a nerd.

                              I am glad you agree ;)

                              regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

                              Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:

                              At least he achieved immortality for a few years.

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                              Mircea Grelus
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #32

                              Ah crap. :)

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

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                              • M Mircea Grelus

                                Ah crap. :)

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

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                                Paul Watson
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #33

                                I just think the majority of non-techies would label Bill Gates as a nerd. And a geek. Most people use both words to mean the same thing. And his success has thus enhanced the case for nerds and geeks.

                                regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

                                Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:

                                At least he achieved immortality for a few years.

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                                • P Paul Watson

                                  I just think the majority of non-techies would label Bill Gates as a nerd. And a geek. Most people use both words to mean the same thing. And his success has thus enhanced the case for nerds and geeks.

                                  regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa

                                  Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:

                                  At least he achieved immortality for a few years.

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                                  Mircea Grelus
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #34

                                  Paul Watson wrote:

                                  Most people use both words to mean the same thing.

                                  Non-techies usually make this assumption. Heh ... amateurs. ;)

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

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                                  • T Timothy W Okrey

                                    Roger Wright wrote:

                                    If you depend on the opinions of others to define your own self-worth, you might be a girlie-man.

                                    And how does this statement correspond to the initial question? :)

                                    '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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                                    Roger Wright
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #35

                                    Who cares? I wasn't responding to the initial question. :-D The answer to that, though, is obviously the same. Why care whether the terms are derogatory or complimentary. If it matters to you, you're a wimp and deserve the scorn of all. I've been called a nerd, a geek, a brain - whatever was currently popular for the great unwashed horde to call their intellectual betters - all my life. Life began when I learned to consider the source, and value the names I was called as honors due a superior being. Without us, the horde would still be sitting in cold damp caves wondering if rocks are edible.

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

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                                    • R Roger Wright

                                      Who cares? I wasn't responding to the initial question. :-D The answer to that, though, is obviously the same. Why care whether the terms are derogatory or complimentary. If it matters to you, you're a wimp and deserve the scorn of all. I've been called a nerd, a geek, a brain - whatever was currently popular for the great unwashed horde to call their intellectual betters - all my life. Life began when I learned to consider the source, and value the names I was called as honors due a superior being. Without us, the horde would still be sitting in cold damp caves wondering if rocks are edible.

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

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                                      Timothy W Okrey
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #36

                                      Fair enough. I am not concerned what people think either. I just was asking if those of use that are considered geeks by the rest care. The responses have been quite amusing.

                                      '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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                                      • 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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                                        peterchen
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #37

                                        Not anymore. In my observation, our the stereotype has arrived in public culture. I have been distinctly recognized as "one of these" by: A stewardess on the flight to Lisbon, a (german-born) tour guide in Chile, and the hair dresser at the corner. This is somewhat discomforting, but also has turned geek into "just another group". Nowadays, "Geek" is no more offensive than Punk, Yuppie, Hippie, Goth, Raver, Jock, and whatever has replaced these ancient terms in the last 15 years :) ("Emo"! I know "Emo"! :D)

                                        We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
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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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                                          PIEBALDconsult
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #38

                                          Geeks are circus performers. I'm a nerd. P.S. Is "Revenge of the Nerds" available on blu-ray yet? :cool:

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