Being primarily french, I sometime wonder how you english people define certain words.

Since some of these words have no real equivalent in french, I want to see what you understand when you see such a word.

Thus, my question: What is a geek? How do you define it?

(and finally... am I one? is it bad to be?)

:D

20 years ago...

Geek = a guy who knew nothing else but computers, probably had big goofy glasses, crap hair, pimply face, spends 24/7 on a computer trying to crack the latest shell.

Today...

Geek = a guy who's loaded with money; knows nothing else but computers and the Net; nearly impossible to spot in a crowd; spends 24/7 trying to write PHP code or keep his ***.com afloat :D

It is fashionable today to be a geek - we have plenty of money and the chicks are starting to catch on to that ;)

Couldn't have put it better :).

You go boy! :D

*humbly bows*

Thank you, thank you :D

Seriously, I have no hesitation calling myself a geek, and my friends couldn't care less, even though I don't seem like a geek (offline I'm so busy socially it's just not funny).

YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHa!!!! Im a Geeek!! Im a Geeeeeeeeeeek! :D And I am proud to be one :)

hehe then I am one as well... but definately not the stereotype kind.

(you have to see me for that :))

thanks for the definition ;)

Well, I'm a geek.... although, when I'm away from the computer and other geeks, you'd never know.

Originally posted by JTY
Well, I'm a geek.... although, when I'm away from the computer and other geeks, you'd never know.

Yea.. That sounds similar to me :)

Originally posted by BC
...even though I don't seem like a geek...

I've just seen his picture. No comment. :)

Careful, boy! My understanding is the word was originally a slang term for a guy who made money entertaining others by biting the heads off chickens.

You're right, Deb. Geek is the term given to the person at carnival side shows who bit the head off of live chickens. It was probably applied to people who squirreled themselves way with books to indicate how weird they were.

It's really a sad commentary on our society that intelligence is ridiculed while sports figures are idolized. For decades, names like egg head, geek, nerd, and others have been given to people who developed their brains more than their brawn. Television reflects this fact as well, both in drama and humor, even in aninmation. On The Simpsons, a slacker, troublemaker, with a bad attitude with limited knowledge and intelligence (Bart) is made to be the cool guy while the smart, respectful kids are shown as the outsiders.

In the end, brains will take more people farther than brawn will.

Very, very true, Deb and Duster. Thankfully at least they (the geeks) are far less likely to be ridiculed (in public) and are recognised for their brains and innovative ideas.

Unfortunately this isn't filtering down to the public school system, and it's an attitude that gets entrenched for life with quite a few ppl.

Those who are intelligent know it, those who are stupid do not know it.

I think you'll notice in society that there is somewhat of a "secret respect" amongst intellectuals. If you're a geek and you've got that, then why care about the stupid people?

Well I've allways seen geek as just another term for nerd... and as for nerd I've prefered to use the definition of someone that is so entrenced into an idea as to make it the center of their lives and sole need. So it's really necessare to specify what type of geek/nerd your are since someone that spends every waking moment working on cars for example would be a car nerd...

And in my case i'm a computer nerd and darn proud of it!

yep, I'm a geek. But I have been to Mexico 12 (yes twelve) times to have fun, and I love to go out.

The old def. of a geek was already mentioned. That stereotype is definitely gone and a new world order has set in. :D

Oh, I dunno -- kinda gives new meaning to the term "Chicken Death Squad." <g>

Quite! I never knew that. Interesting hmmmmmm.

Isn't it spelled G33k now? As in H4rDc0R3 h4X0r G33k?

And why do all you g33ks get money? I'm STILL broke. :)

High School Guys Define it as:

Knowing too much than one should, always knowing the right answer when the teacher calls on you, not being able to keep a constant girl friend, being able to correct the teacher more than once a week. Not going out to smoke dope, cigerettes, drink beer, having high morals. Wanting to become a millionaire, Using big words, knowing what the FCC(Federal Communication Commission) stands for or FAA(Federal Avaition Assosition) I maybe incorrect on that last one. Not trying to screw every girl in site. Not talking perverted to every girl you see. Not burpping, or putting your hand under your arm pit and trying to make fart noises.

Chris Dildy You Have Been Charged Of Being A Geek How Do You Plead:

Guilty As Charged
"It is easy to be a genius in a room full of idiots"


Sincerly,
Chris The Geek Dildy

Originally posted by Duster
Geek is the term given to the person at carnival side shows who bit the head off of live chickens.

While I still practice (and greatly enjoy) this diversion, I am proud to say that, with the maturation of my geekness, I can now, too, do likewise with goats.

Practice makes perfect.

Originally posted by TheComputerGuy
High School Guys Define it as:

Knowing too much than one should, always knowing the right answer when the teacher calls on you, not being able to keep a constant girl friend, being able to correct the teacher more than once a week. Not going out to smoke dope, cigerettes, drink beer, having high morals. Wanting to become a millionaire, Using big words, knowing what the FCC(Federal Communication Commission) stands for or FAA(Federal Avaition Assosition) I maybe incorrect on that last one. Not trying to screw every girl in site. Not talking perverted to every girl you see. Not burpping, or putting your hand under your arm pit and trying to make fart noises.

Exactly my point. There is definitely something wrong with our society when peole who are intelligent and informed, have good manners and a good deal of sense, are thought of as strange and given names to indicate that they are weird. To my way of thinking, those who don't meet that definition are the ones that have something wrong with them.

Incidentally, it's Federal Aviation Administration and I didn't correct my teacher for the first time until first grade. It may have been second grade, it's been awhile and I might be mistaken. I do, however, recall my sources for correction.


Speaking of corrections, here's another:
"It's easy to seem like a genius in a room full of idiots."

Originally posted by Duster
There is definitely something wrong with our society when peole who are intelligent and informed, have good manners and a good deal of sense, are thought of as strange and given names to indicate that they are weird. To my way of thinking, those who don't meet that definition are the ones that have something wrong with them.


As the physics boys are fond of saying, everything's relative.

Duster, people who possess the qualities you enumerate above are, indeed, in the scarcest minority.

For that reason, they are strange to most others, and hence so treated.

A parallel example might be the fact that none of you keep goats as you should. I find that very strange... and, I confess, sometimes I secretly think of you all as Goatless Ones -- though, of course, it would be unmannerly of me to ever say such a horrid thing aloud.

The people who can think farther than 10 minutes are the people who long for the big millions. But mostly seem to fall a few inches from it.

etLux - the next great challenge is to pick your teeth after biting off the goats head, using only your tongue and what remains of the goat's horns.

Originally posted by TheComputerGuy
High School Guys Define it as:

Knowing too much than one should, always knowing the right answer when the teacher calls on you, not being able to keep a constant girl friend, being able to correct the teacher more than once a week. Not going out to smoke dope, cigerettes, drink beer, having high morals. Wanting to become a millionaire, Using big words, knowing what the FCC(Federal Communication Commission) stands for or FAA(Federal Avaition Assosition) I maybe incorrect on that last one. Not trying to screw every girl in site. Not talking perverted to every girl you see. Not burpping, or putting your hand under your arm pit and trying to make fart noises.

Chris Dildy You Have Been Charged Of Being A Geek How Do You Plead:

Guilty As Charged
"It is easy to be a genius in a room full of idiots"


Sincerly,
Chris The Geek Dildy

Well, if that's how high school guys define, then I'm far from a geek. Sure, I correct the teacher on occasion. But I do a lot of other things, seeing as I hang out with more girls than guys.

I wonder if there is somthing such as half a geek

Half a geek is a dork.

Three dorks make a nerd.

Ten nerds make a Poindexter.

And four Poindexters make a Gates.

And that's a GOOD thing!

Originally posted by TheComputerGuy
The people who can think farther than 10 minutes are the people who long for the big millions. But mostly seem to fall a few inches from it.

What a talent! I just revel in a good mixed metaphor.

Originally posted by TheComputerGuy
High School Guys Define it as:

Knowing too much than one should, always knowing the right answer when the teacher calls on you, not being able to keep a constant girl friend, being able to correct the teacher more than once a week. Not going out to smoke dope, cigerettes, drink beer, having high morals. Wanting to become a millionaire, Using big words, knowing what the FCC(Federal Communication Commission) stands for or FAA(Federal Avaition Assosition) I maybe incorrect on that last one. Not trying to screw every girl in site. Not talking perverted to every girl you see. Not burpping, or putting your hand under your arm pit and trying to make fart noises.

Chris Dildy You Have Been Charged Of Being A Geek How Do You Plead:

Guilty As Charged
"It is easy to be a genius in a room full of idiots"


Sincerly,
Chris The Geek Dildy


I withdraw my statement of bieng a Geek to! This Definitiono sucks!! :)

What is normal then? Its all about what a person can make another person want to be, you get one, get two, then four, and so on.....

Does anyone really agree?

I am making a board for a local high school, i am hoping it may help a few of the geeks become friends with the "Cool" guys, at least online anyways.

well, i was considered a "geek" @ high school.

if there was ever any mention of computers someone would say "Oh, Nick will be buzzing around somewhere" or "Let the computer geek though!"

it really pisses me off....just cos i know bout computers that people think its good to ridecule you...

Well, im @ college now and i don't tell people that im a nerdy net php developer...i act normal (well as normal as I can :rolleyes: )

PS. This forum should be fitted with a spell checker....how did i get to college...my spellign is poor ;)


[Edited by Nic[H]olas on 01-01-2001 at 05:24 PM]

Originally posted by Spider John (after Martha Stewart)

Half a geek is a dork.

Three dorks make a nerd.

Ten nerds make a Poindexter.

And four Poindexters make a Gates.

And that's a GOOD thing!

ROFL... I just noticed this.

May we take a vote?

I vote we adopt this as the Offical WHT Standard for Geekiness.

You have an adamant Aye here.

And there will be no need for a recount either. If so, I shall be forced to impeach certain members of this board to face trial...... In the infamous cellar where all ppl who have dared to contravene Microsoft reside....

I dunno, I thought i saw you twist that ballot right there, I saw that we need to count only that ballet since your mark was in the middlw, then your intention was for it to be yes.

So i agree with BC's vote

I vote YES!!!