Possible explanation for the fundamental differences between geeks and non-geeks - Page 2

MrFun · September 8, 2003, 09:40

Nah -- she just finds communism sexy, right?

Ecthy · September 8, 2003, 10:14

chegitz, ever since that era you haven't

:) Smiley · September 8, 2003, 11:24

The difference between geeks and non geeks is the attitude one has when operating a computer or other high tech device. Geeks act as if they are in full control (whether or not they really are) while the non-geek panic and are at the mercy of the device.

Ari Rahikkala · September 8, 2003, 14:43

Smiley almost nailed it down... however, there's a difference between just knowing computers well and being a geek. Well, OK, there's an almost 1-1 relationship between the two, so it's easy to mix them up. The latter commonly leads to the former and the former strengthens the latter, but still, they are not the same thing. It's easy to describe a user who knows computers well. If a computer behaves in an unexpected way, someone who knows how the damn things work is likely to be confident and still feel in control, while someone who's unexperienced (or, more likely nowadays, has experience about doing some simple tasks with a computer once zie has been taught to do them) will panic and wonder what zie did wrong (or just blame the computer while not actually understanding the situation).

What makes people geeks... I believe it's a trait of personality. Sort of like that INTJs and INTPs are likely to be geeks, or something. The point is, it isn't as easy to describe a geek as it is to describe a person with knowledge of computers. I think it's quite trivial if you have your way with words, but I'm not even going to try it here myself...

Ari Rahikkala · September 8, 2003, 14:45

And now, if someone says that "geek" is defined as "a person who knows a lot about computers" and nothing else, I will go stick myself in a very small box, shoot myself and watch MTV. In that order.

Spiffor · September 8, 2003, 14:48

I agree with Ari. To further his argument, I'd say computer knowledge is needed to be a geek but is not enough. Feeling confident with a computer is needed but is not enough. The real difference, IMHO, is to think of tweaking computers as meaningful rather than as a sad necessity.

Japher · September 8, 2003, 14:52

ahem!

If computer knowledge is needed in order to be a geek then what am I? A nerd?

I know hardly anything about computers, at least compared to you geeks, but I am still considered one.

While I couldn't tell you how to over clock your processor, just the fact that I know what that means has classified me as a geek.

I think in the world of geekdom it is really hard to see the forrest from the trees, and we can just conclude that if you are posting on this site then chances are good that you are geek!

Especially if you attempt to put emoticons as your location.

Asher · September 8, 2003, 15:14

I am unquestionably a geek, yet I get laid quite often.

Spiffor · September 8, 2003, 15:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Asher
I am unquestionably a geek, yet I get laid quite often.

You're gay, this doesn't count

JohnT · September 8, 2003, 15:15

Yeah, but you get laid by other men, which is no accomplishment at all, given that at the age of 20 we'd f*** anything willing.

Asher · September 8, 2003, 15:16

And you have sex with a wife, which is hardly an accomplishment either.

My SO doesn't have saggy breasts, though.

Harovan · September 8, 2003, 15:18

What is a SO?

JohnT · September 8, 2003, 15:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Asher
And you have sex with a wife, which is hardly an accomplishment either.

My SO doesn't have saggy breasts, though.

Fvck you. Shots at the wife are pretty shitty. Wanna come down here and say that, pretty boy?

Combat Ingrid · September 8, 2003, 15:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
What is a SO?

****ging object?

Japher · September 8, 2003, 15:22

SO means "gay lover" since them homos are to afraid to admit that they are gay by saying "boy friend", "gay lover", or "sin partner"

I don't care what Asher says, but I'd sure like to see him come down here and offend my wife!

just wait till I am out of the room

Spiffor · September 8, 2003, 15:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
What is a SO?

Significant Other.

Harovan · September 8, 2003, 15:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Spiffor
Significant Other.

So it's something like when we straight people call our wives/gfs "our better halves"? (Which is, of course, BS, since I am the better half

)

Spiffor · September 8, 2003, 15:28

Quote:

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
So it's something like when we straight people call our wives/gfs "our better halves"? (Which is, of course, BS, since I am the better half

)

I take it your wife isn't looking ?

Asher · September 8, 2003, 15:28

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnT
Fvck you. Shots at the wife are pretty shitty. Wanna come down here and say that, pretty boy?

You don't wanna play ball, then don't start sh*t.

Harovan · September 8, 2003, 15:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Spiffor
I take it your wife isn't looking ?

She's phoning since two hours in the other room with a friend about ... ummm ... veeeeeeery important things (i.e. meaningless babble

), so I have what we call a "jester's license".

Ari Rahikkala · September 8, 2003, 15:41

BTW, here's a quick lithmus test to tell if you're a geek or not... your geekness is equal to how funny you find the following statement:

:!emacs

geeslaka · September 8, 2003, 16:56

That's very naughty max.

St Leo · September 8, 2003, 21:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Spiffor
IMHO, the main difference between geeks and non-geeks is that geeks think that tweaking, fixing, and understanding computers has a meaning by itself, which justifies they devote their life to it.
For the non-geek, a computer is a tool, which has better to work. For the geek, a computer is a center of attention, that must reflect the geek exactly.

I think geeks are simply obsessed with computers (I mean, the computers themselves, not some kind of actually useful or entertaining application). Much like some people are obsessed with their cars, with their house's decoration, with their pets etc.

Geekdom is a rich and wonderful world. There are scifi geeks, math geeks, science geeks, literary geeks, and, yes, even computer geeks.

Everything worth doing in the world is done by geeks.

Drake Tungsten · September 8, 2003, 21:40

Quote:

Everything worth doing in the world is done by geeks.

Except having sex, of course.

St Leo · September 8, 2003, 21:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Ari Rahikkala
BTW, here's a quick lithmus test to tell if you're a geek or not... your geekness is equal to how funny you find the following statement:

:!emacs

vi people are such comedians.:P

St Leo · September 8, 2003, 21:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten

Quote:

Everything worth doing in the world is done by geeks.

Except having sex, of course.

Who do you think wrote the Kama Sutra, pal? Geeks -- that's who.

st_swithin · September 8, 2003, 21:44

Geeks make buttons for non-geeks to push so that they feel that they have some modicum of 'control.'

These buttons rarely affect anything of importance unless pushed in a specific sequence, thus notifying said geeks of a potential problem.

emacs is, and always will be, an inferior word processing program.

Drake Tungsten · September 8, 2003, 21:44

Quote:

Who do you think wrote the Kama Sutra, pal? Geeks -- that's who.

Actually, I think they were Indians.

Southasindians for the context-impaired.

St Leo · September 8, 2003, 21:57

I know quite a few indian geeks of both genders.

:) Smiley · September 9, 2003, 03:30

emacs pwns j00