[ubuntu-uk] Geeks and Nerds

[Louisa Parry]

On Sat, 2008-08-02 at 21:52 +0100, Chris Rowson wrote:
> I've been reading around this topic, but I'm not sure that there is a
> definitive answer.
> 
> A bit OT I know, but sing out if you have an opinion (or even know the
> definitive answer!)
> 
> What's the difference between a nerd and a geek?
> 
> Chris
> 

I once read[0] the definition as being that a geek's skills are more
saleable (so more valuable in our current society) than a nerd's - a
computer geek can fix your business work server or a language geek can
proofread your new sales brochure but people are unlikely to pay to to
hear a SF nerd list how much skin Scully flashes in each X-Files
episode.

I'm not sure I totally agree (I suspect that information has a
market ;) ) but think it's an interesting idea.


-louisa :)


[0] in Douglas Coupland's 1995 novel Microserfs - amusingly outdated
from a tech point of view ;)