The debate is far from over as to the differences between nerds and geeks, but the world has become a nerdier place in the past decade—or has it?
It might be safe to say that the only true nerds are those who were nerdy before comic book and sci-fi movies ruled the day, and the only true geeks can’t help but be obsessed by the minutiae of ever-growing popular trends (from coding and hacking to entire channels devoted to the television treatment of all popular comic books).
Before Star Trek got sleek and sexy and Spiderman got his third reboot, the nerds were there, having conventions and staying true to the art form and philosophy behind it.
Before The Big Bang Theory cashed in on make-pretend physics and grown men in comic book stores debating about the details of a certain superhero, real life geeks were mastering real physics and, well, at the comic book store preventing counterclaims to whatever hypothesis someone else had about Superman’s real weaknesses.
So the question is left to you, dear Good Men—how are you nerdy or geeky or dorky? And how has it shaped you throughout your life?
Spread the word, nerd, and start a conversation below!
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Photo: Geeks Are Sexy
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That would be spelled, Tolkien
I’m such a nerd…
Where to begin. I played sports. I lived in the gym. I was a Sgt. in the Marine Corps. I studied the martial arts, and fought in the ring. I road motorcycles. I worked the loading docks through college. I do man stuff like splitting wood, building. I’d hold my man resume up against anyone. …and I’m a nerd. My degree is in engineering I aced every physics exam, lab, paper through my first two years. I know what, “face pull” means. I know that it’s not the tank’s fault when dps gets dead. I have episode four, five and… Read more »
I must apologize to John Anderson and other GMP posters because I’ve gone back on my word. In an earlier topic, I had said I would take a long break from board messaging. In fact, I was suffering from Internet burnout. But when I read DJ Roukan’s post, I couldn’t help myself. DJ, your post is one of the most positive posts I’ve ever seen on the Internet – which is often a sewer full of personal attacks, cruelty, racist and antisemitic tirades, mocking of victims of bullying and rape, shrill ideological rants, etc. I thank you so much for… Read more »
You bet man. I’ve grown weary of the classifications, the archetypes, and all the judgement ot them, because they are all foolish. We are all nerds and geeks in our own way. I don’t care if you are a car nerd, a science nerd, a sports nerd. Nerdism lives in all of us. Brian being less masculine (by the classic term) does not make him less a man. Likewise, my choices in life do not make me more a man. At some point we will realize that men can be on either side of this bell curve, but that most… Read more »
Another excellent post! * thumbs up * I never had an interest in sports when I was a boy; but I did have a problem with low body self-image, which began early in my preteens. So, I’ve been amazed by the fact that I didn’t set foot in a health club until I was 57 years old. There are several reasons why I was hesitant to join a health club. One of them has to do with stereotypes of subgroups of guys. I believe some, if not many, boys feel compelled to confine themselves to narrow stereotypes. (“Pumping iron is… Read more »