If you are a regular reader of MakeUseOf, and you like computers & technology, then there’s a good chance you fall into one of two camps – the Nerd or the Geek. Both have their own interests and identifying marks, but on the other hand, there is also a lot that they have in common. The question is, which camp do you fall into?
According to our infographic today, there are certain tell-tale signs to watch out for if you are trying to decide whether someone is a nerd or a geek. Nerds seem to go in for Star Trek in a big way and speak Klingon and have a science-fiction fetish in general. Geeks on the other hand are of the Star Wars variety with their lightsabers and wondering who their daddy is. But the infographic below also seems to imply something else – that geeks and nerds fall into different social classes. Nerds drinking “energy drinks from the gas station” and geeks drinking barista coffee. Do you agree or is this just plain silly?
I think I must be a little bit of both. I am a huge fan of both Star Trek and Star Wars, I have my lightsaber and my sci-fi toys, I am often high on Red Bull, and I have been known to mutter the odd word of Klingon here and there…..‘Iv ‘oH lIj vav!
So where do you fall? Are you a nerd or a geek? And is the comparison made by the infographic accurate? Let us know in the comments below. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I am off for my caramel latte with semi-skimmed milk.
Infographic source: Visual.ly
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I’d have to say this is a very good infographic, breaking down the differences between the two accurately.
So according to this infographic, basically geeks are hipsters?
lol
Time Changes Fashion goes by….hair style,
Lol!
There should really be an intersection bisecting both portions, with Doctor Who fans occupying the middle ground.
Otherwise it is meaningless ;)
Venn diagram!
looks like the person who created this hates nerds and wants to make geeks seem cool. Geeks are now hipsters and true geeks relegated to nerd status. looks like i’m a nerd then just not cool enough to be a Geek
I thought exactly the same
I’m definitely a geek.
I think that Nerds are more about science , They program , they are very good at maths , physics and such … Geeks love those subjects but aren’t very involved in it , they might love astophysics but they don’t know a lot about it .
I love hearing people like Neile de Graisse Tyson , Carl Sagan , Richard Feynman talking … I love all the tech news and software news but I don’t know a lot about them . Regarding the passion for sci-fi , comic books , video games and generally most stuff that detach you from the real life. Geeks and nerds share the same passion .
I’m leaning more to geeks, but not heavily. For instance, I’m not too much into Star Wars.
I’m not geek cos I don’t own a iMac :D
Looks like I am either a Neek or a Gerd.
I think your criteria is flawed. To me a geek is someone who studies the technologies he/she loves in depth. It is not enough to work it, the geek needs to know how it works. The geek prefers to share their geekdom with others in a social setting. The geek makes a good student and teacher. He/she is versatile.
The nerd on the other hand is self absorbed, single minded, and lacks social skills. He/she may also have an IQ in the genius range, but without social skills, it is of little use except in very specific applications.
Of course, my criteria may also be flawed since I’d rather be known as a geek than a nerd. ;-)
I totally agree with you! See my comment on this, with similar opinion.
It’s a trick question, because if you are either a geek or a nerd in the true sense, you don’t care.
looks like I’m a geek!
euuuu
i think am geek ..
ya accrding to the infographic am a geek lol but am neither a fan of star wars nor star trek :P
I would consider myself a geek, Only difference is I don’t drink “Energy Drinks” just regular coke, fanta etc.. and that I don’t use Macs.
Neither and both. Correlation does not imply causation.
Awesome. I am a nerd. I think.
a good comparison is that nerds are like that scientist who makes super cars for the James Bond; and the geeks are like Bond themselves; they know how to use technology; they take the technology to the people; make it popular; and if some feature is poor, ofcourse geeks fall back on nerds to make better technology. ;-Phope this helps..!
I consider myself as a geek just based on the major things like Star Trek vs Star Wars, and i prefer Star Wars, even if I never read the books they made to give backstories or anything.
So if I’m a Doctor Who fan, which camp do I fall into?
I guess I’m one of three things.
1) A NEEK
2) A GERD
3) A brand new specie
Which is better actually?Nerd or geek?
haha, eventough i like tech… i think i’m not geeky/nerdy enough to be called like that (just your average joe)
They’re different yet similar
Glad I don’t belong to both category..
I’m an otaku. Ha ha..(???)/
Star Wars?
I fall in the middle.
…. why does the geek have a Mac?