I find that many people thesedays are unable to distinguish between a Geek and a Nerd. It seems to variate between nations too, but then most language does I guess.

Obviously I can't speak gospel, but this is what I've worked out over the years:

Geek:
Geeks tend to be very into Gaming, Anime, Cult films, Cult fiction, RPGs, Heavy Metal/Classic Rock - that sort of stuff. I find that most Geeks get very into the things they like and enjoy, and are often very enthusiastic about them. They're also usually very good with technology and philosophy it seems. Geeks argue between themselves on a regular basis on pretty much everything.

I also find that most Geeks are rather intelligent people, and are usually very interested in any subjects they might study at college etc.

Nerds:
Nerds I tend to see as being the ones who are smart, but not amazingly brainy. I tend to associate them with some people I knew from my old school days, the ones who did all their homework, every time. Never once late, always in school. This is of course my perception, so don't be offended by any of this if you consider yourself a 'Nerd'. I sort of see them as knowing a lot of stuff through education alone, just jumping through all the hoops. They do lots of work not because it interests them, but because they feel they should do, they have no passion for their subject.

Although Nerds are generally also into a lot of cult stuff they tend to uber-fanboy it, the type of person that will argue continually over Kirk's haircut. Geeks aren't excused from silly arguments about Star Trek, Star Wars, Heroes, Lost - whatever, but not to the same extent.

Neek/Gerd:
Maybe you see both of these inside you?

I'm a Geek, through and through. I don't think I managed to lay out what I tend to see each 'type' as well as I could have done, but it's a starting point.

If you have different ideas post them and let me know! It's interesting to see what everyone thinks on this issue :D

I am the kind of person who refutes all labels of all kinds. Irony, fuck yeah!

I would also say that none of these simplified labels fits me entirely.
But I will still gonna have to go for geek, mainly because its origins lie in the medieval german word "Geck".

I couldn't really write a full essay on the characteristics of each now, could I? I'd avoid such an action like the plague after being lectured on the key psycological differences between Hardcore and Casual gamers :P

Also, I do apologise for not including "Neither" before.

Talk nerdy to me baby...

I have made a (continuingly sucessful) effort to not fit into any social clique. Other than Jesus freak and possibly one of those people like in the ZP peggle reveiw of the casual gamer, wearing a sweater with Peggle for a head.

actually technically speaking everyone would be nerds

geeks are side show performers who bite the heads of chickens and such

lol Where did you get heavy metal/classic rock from? lol How old are you again? I think when defining these type of things it really depends on the era that you grew up in.

On topic, I'm neither. I've always been a drifter. I don't try to classify people or hold them to a social standard. Everyone is their own person and shouldn't be made to live day to day under what they enjoy from life. Thats part of the problem with high school. No one can accept that everyone is going to have their own likes and dislikes. Agree to disagree people. hehe

^_^

Neither, I'm grunge.

Im my own person :D

I've heard a dork is actually the scientific name for the penis of a blue whale.

Not entirely sure I'd fit into either of the categories. Though I probably lean more towards Geek. My current clique in school could be best described as "People Who Jokingly Antagonize Jesus Freaks For Fun". Ironically, I've yet to alienate any of my Christian friends.

Anarchemitis:
I've heard a dork is actually the scientific name for the penis of a blue whale.

This is why we can't trust those damn marine biologists, kids. They're not right in the head.

I consider myself a nerd. But then, I think of nerds as people who are into anime and gaming and Dungeons and Dragons and such, while geeks are basically gods when it comes to fixing electronics.

I always considered geeks to be really into one or two things, like anime or cars, while nerds are the ones who are smart and kind of broad spectrum... maybe they don't know all the details of wow or have the timing down to a science in counter strike, but they can hold their own in each.

Really the difference between geek and nerd is just semantics isn't it?

I really don't fit into a social clique at school, I sort of have a reject bin for a friends circle. Each one of us would fit into another clique really easily, but we'd be at the bottom of the pecking order if we did. They way we are now, we're all equal, and generally accepted by the rest of the school. We're the worst of the best. The all-rounders.

Anyway, I chose both, as they both applied to the way they are outlined here.

I hate it when people get labeled, I like anime, gaming is my passion, and a lot of technology-related stuff buy I shouldnt be made fun of for it anymore than someone should be made fun of for liking a certain type of music, which is what tends to happen if you get labeled as a geek/nerd

Iffypop:

Geek:
Geeks tend to be very into Gaming, Anime, Cult films, Cult fiction, RPGs, Heavy Metal/Classic Rock - that sort of stuff.

'scuse me? i find that description a little strange. apparently i'm a geek then, even though i'm only into 2 of those, namely gaming and heavy metal....

I think if we were looking for definitions, Kari Byron from Mythbusters is a geek, but the comic book guy from the Simpsons is a nerd.

Although most people wouldn't bother making the distinction.

if we are looking for definitions...
both nerd and geek are orginally insults to call some one stupid. geek=fool nerd=stupid/square.

dork just means 'stupid' as well.

God, these terms are terribly outdated. Besides, here in England, the social cliques are far less defined.

I like to think people are more complex than simple groups, too.

I am unique...just like everybody else...

Sad Face :'(

Pyro Paul:
if we are looking for definitions...
both nerd and geek are orginally insults to call some one stupid. geek=fool nerd=stupid/square.

Yes, but insults get reclaimed by the groups they were originally targeted at. Look at the gay community using 'queer' or the baffling prevalence of the word 'nigga' in hip-hop. My view is that to describe them someone as a geek implies that they are technologically minded and computer literate, while to call someone a nerd implies the same thing, but also implies an increased level of social maladjustment. I would happily describe myself as a geek, but I wouldn't dream of calling myself a nerd.

I'm unique but I fit the criteria of a geek. I'm enthusiastic about art, video games, digital technology, and Tolkin novels. I tend to research the fields I'm most interested in. When it comes to other academics, I suck at everything else.

I seriously don't mind that label. What's so bad about being a geek/nerd?

I'm a geek mixed with a jock - it DOES actually exist, as long as you don't grow up in a US high school system. Coincidently, the label I get in the rest of the world is Matt...

I would consider myself both, but I usually just tell people I am a nerd because I don't like the word "geek."

I amused, no, amused isn't the right word. I find it interesting the number of people who say they shy away from labels. Humans are not solitary creatures and a significant part of our personal identity is based on the social groups we form.

I think labels of any kind resonant with people more than they would admit. There is a certain romanticism to rebelling against the establishment, but often people rebel in the same way, because the sense of identity that belonging to a group instils often outweighs the thrill of being an individual.

There's nothing wrong with labels per se, it's when they are used pejoratively that it becomes a problem.

OK, that's my armchair sociology done for the night.

The_root_of_all_evil:
I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered!

You are number 6.

Ah that boils it down for me... I had no idea what the difference was, I AM FRASER NIKOLSON AND I AM A GEEK, but I don't like anime or sci-fi and I only play one RPG (Oblivion, hate final fantasy, is that a RPG? hmm..im just rambling on sorry) but the rest is true

I would say I'm more of a nerd than a geek. Like some other posters have said, while both are kind of social outcasts as far as the "in crowd" is concerned, there are some differences. Maybe the terms have lost a bit of their meaning these days and are interchangeable to some people. I "my day", (holy cow, I must be getting old since I'm saying that stupid phrase now) and where I grew up, there was a difference. I'm a product of the 70's and 80's in Western Nebraska. When I was a kid, a nerd was a guy who was really smart about 'uncool' yet considered by teachers as important for your future like math, history, science, etc. A geek, meantime was also really smart about 'uncool' things but those were usualy more hobby-related topics like movies, music, fictional books, comics, T.V. shows, video games etc. Both wore clothes that were out of style according to the fashion aspects of the media of the day, bad at "cool" sports like football and basketball, bad at social networking, etc. I'm no genius, but I was considered one of the best in my school at science, history, writing and computers (we had the Apple II's in high school, remember those?) Yes, I liked and still like playing video games, reading fiction, watching movies etc. but not to the extent that it interfered with my studies (automatic nerd status in my day).

I think i´am a drifter. I love gaming, but i´m not so much into computers and hardware. Heavy Metal, yes, but i do not dress like all black and stuff. I watch a lot of movies, even those nobody around here knows, but i still know some people who watch even more underground artsy french films and brag about it and are a-holes towards people who watch mainstream movies. I hate those guys. Oh, and Anime. That is one of the most creepy, frightening and weird things in the world to me and people who are into that make me very scared.

Geek:
Geeks tend to be very into Gaming, Anime, Cult films, Cult fiction, RPGs, Heavy Metal/Classic Rock

Two of them applies, does that make me normal, mother?

sammyfreak:
I am the kind of person who refutes all labels of all kinds. Irony, fuck yeah!

Quit weirding me out, every time you post I think "woah, Charlie Brooker actually just posted on this forum!" Especially since your post have the same funny sort of bitterness and self-harm.
..and then I realise that Brooker would not likely use an avatar of himself in a big heart. He'd claim not to have one.