Geeks and Nerds

[vexedvagabond]

http://xkcd.com/747/
Agreed.

My definitions are close to the cartoonist's, perhaps a little more fine-tuned.

To me:
Geek: Someone with incredibly obsessively extensive knowledge of a specialized area.
Nerd: A more socially individual with obsessively extensive knowledge of a generally useful

Comments

[penguinstampede]

My Geek definition is the same as yours, but my Nerd definition is headed in the opposite direction - Extensive general knowledge, typically containing "useless" facts. The one who knows everything about anything and could start an entire one-sided conversation with you based on any single sentence you utter.

I do not consider myself to be a Nerd or Geek because I feel my knowledge isn't extensive enough in anything.

Also, so many people seem to claim they are Geeks or Nerds when really they're neither, and it slightly bugs me (this is not aimed at you... I trust that you are both!). But that is another topic.

Though while we're at it, for me Dork meant socially awkward or oblivious, and most likely possessing some intelligence or charm... at the very least, I have never found myself describing someone who was socially awkward and yet not charming/intriguing to be "dorky." I suppose Dork is therefore a slight compliment. "At least you're not creepy or an imbecile!"