Is geek an offensive term?
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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
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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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
Well it is better than what I normally get called, "pompous a##"
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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:-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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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.
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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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
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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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"
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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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
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:
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.
Ah crap. :)
Cheers, Mircea "Pay people peanuts and you get monkeys" - David Ogilvy
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Ah crap. :)
Cheers, Mircea "Pay people peanuts and you get monkeys" - David Ogilvy
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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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.
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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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
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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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"
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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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
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)
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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
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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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
Though not offensive, you may first open up your sensors to detect if there are any attempts of flattery?
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