• ‘Nerd’ and ‘Geek’ Should Be Banned, Professor Says
    101 replies, posted
[quote]The Times ran an article Monday suggesting that what America will need in the future are more &#8220;cool nerds.&#8221; A playful tweak of the nerd stereotype, to be sure, in an effort to alter it. The people described in the piece were ones with hybrid careers, combining computing with other fields from medicine to Hollywood. These are jobs that do not match the classic computer geek or nerd image &#8212; a heads-down programmer who is socially isolated. In the new hybrid careers, computing is a crucial ingredient and, economists say, such work will be the source of many new jobs of the future. [b]But David Anderegg, a professor of psychology at Bennington College, says that merely mentioning terms like nerd or geek serves to perpetuate the stereotype. The words are damaging, much like racial epithets, he says, and should be avoided.[/b] Yet the meaning of words often evolves as the social context changes. I noted that in Manhattan&#8217;s elite high schools being called a &#8220;cool nerd&#8221; is a compliment &#8212; denoting someone with intellectual and academic chops, un-self-consciously so, and other interests as well. Perhaps that&#8217;s true in a handful of ZIP codes around the country, Dr. Anderegg conceded. But in most of America, he said, nerds and geeks are people to avoid. The connotations are a bit different: [b]a geek suggests a person with special expertise, while nerd suggests social ineptness. And neither are cool.[/b] And math, science and computer science, Dr. Anderegg said, are courses that young people too often associate with nerds and geeks. As a result, he added, &#8220;they sabotage themselves in these fields, and the nation&#8217;s work force is suffering.&#8221; [b]&#8220;The best way to combat this,&#8221; he said, &#8220;is put it to bed,&#8221; banishing &#8220;nerd&#8221; and &#8220;geek&#8221; to the linguistic dustbin.[/b] Not easily done, though, as Dr. Anderegg doubtless appreciates. He is an expert on the subject, and the reason I called him for the piece was that I had noticed the praise for his book, &#8220;Nerds: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them.&#8221;[/quote] [url=http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/nerd-and-geek-should-be-banned-professor-says/]Source[/url] <-- Ok so, according to this man, being called a Geek or a Nerd is as derogatory as being called a n*****?? WTF?? People probably laughed at him everytime they called him a "Nerd" and that's probably the reason why he wants both words banned... Me, on the other hand, I'm proud of being a Geek :smug:
What a nerd
He's White 'N nerdy.
The main problem is, from my point of view, that people don't know the exact definition of "nerd" and uses it as an insult word instead. Ignorance.
Wow nerds and geeks banned, isn't that a bit illegal :downs:
I thought these days 'nerd' and 'geek' were totally 'in', particularly with chicks, the cute kind with specs.
So a nerd rages about being called a nerd? Nerdrage!
[QUOTE=Within;19124371]The main problem is, from my point of view, that people don't know the exact definition of "nerd".[/QUOTE] Yeah let's ban dyke, faggot, nigger, cockface, shiteater, motherfucker, and Barbara Streisand while we are at it. [editline]02:28PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Tom-ate-em;19124389]I thought these days 'nerd' and 'geek' were totally 'in', particularly with chicks, the cute kind with specs.[/QUOTE] That's prep and/or metrosexual, far far from "nerd" and "geek"
That professor probably looks like... [img]http://www.russellheimlich.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/revengeofthenerds.jpg[/img] There's no way you can rage over being called a "Nerd"... let alone compare being called a Nerd with being called the N word!
Nerd starts with an "N" and Nigger starts with an "N" I see where this guy's going. :downs:
To me nerd is someone who's smart and socially inept. And a geek is someone who thinks they're smart and are socially inept. Big difference.
I'm a geek, and proud of it.. (or nerd according to the above post?) That professor is just unhappy he never gets laid.
The professor shouldn't be speaking on everyone's behalf.
[QUOTE=Empty_Shadow;19124523]To me nerd is someone who's smart and socially inept. And a geek is someone who thinks they're smart and are socially inept. Big difference.[/QUOTE] You got it all wrong. A nerd is someone who sits by his pc/console gaming and being a 1337 haxxor A geek is someone who understands how electronic stuff/pcs work and can code or fix or do rather useful stuff.
I bet he was bullied for being a nerd. Or still is. I mean c'mon he's a professor!
According to an on-line dictionary: [quote]nerd also nurd (nûrd) n. Slang 1. A foolish, inept, or unattractive person. 2. A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept.[/quote] [quote]geek (gk) Slang n. 1. a. A person regarded as foolish, inept, or clumsy. b. A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept. 2. A carnival performer whose show consists of bizarre acts, such as biting the head off a live chicken.[/quote] To be honest, I believe such a words trend has changed. To me, the term geek or nerd is very much a type of style or way of life. It's not an insult any more at all. After all, I'm very proud with considering myself to be a geek yet I'm neither socially inept, so such a definition is very ignorant |:
[QUOTE=Pretiacruento;19124355]Ok so, according to this man, being called a Geek or a Nerd is as derogatory as being called a n*****?? WTF??[/QUOTE] Read the whole thing before you attempt to whore on me for typing 'The N-word' out. It's my fucking keyboard. To start; The word 'nigger' is not derogatory in a sense that it is banned by many people who 'think' it's derogatory, when really, it's just an attention seeking fulfillment with a play on ethnics and the past, of which we all know, is nothing like today's world. Why should we care if our supposed 'white ancestors' used a word to degrade a race, when MANY words have been cast at white people. 'Cracker' for instance, is not banned, is it? But no, when it comes to the world, the minority bests the majority in all ways possible. I mean, take a look at the 'HP webcam' thread, the dude felt offended because he sat against a fucking dark background, [I]knowing[/I] his skin was dark too, and then played his words to make it seem like HP were the bad-guys, mean time he was stupid. If you can't accept the color of your fucking skin, you had better crawl into a hole somewhere, and live there until the other people start fucking about over the color of [I]their[/I] skin. If you know your pale and white, don't sit against an overly-lit background, and the opposite for a black person. As for the 'geek' and 'nerd' thing. It's the same concept but applied to smart people. At school they might have been called a nerd or a geek, but accept it, I hope when I am a fully grown adult, I will grow up with morals, unlike these pieces of filth we see whoring the news every day of their lives. What I'm trying to say is, apply common sense when speaking, or doing [I]anything[/I] at all. If you know a person has a lack of self esteem but excels in certain areas, tell him he's good at what he does, and maybe... Just maybe, that person will look out for you when you are in the social dumpster of society. As for banning a word for something people did ages ago, I do not approve. Even if more of these words are being banned for modern use, language is still the most powerful tool in which to speak your mind with. People will find other ways, and banning a word only infuriates the people who can't use it to a point of lashing out, and eventually circling parking lots, screaming the word outside their window. Besides, if we are looking for equality, you can't ban one word, and keep another because the one you keep is 'not as bad, homie', that's just [B]fucking stupid[/B]. That's like being in this situation; P1: 'Hey dude, you can't say 'nigger', it's bad.' P2: 'Yeah well, you can't say 'cracker', it's bad too.' P1: 'Look man, that doesn't apply here you fucking dick, do you know what our ancestors--' P2: 'Hey, fuck you if you think I'm going to enslave a whole fucking race, you insensitive prick, you should be trying to benefit the world, not bend it into a society you deem fit. Now instead of picking on other people, fix your own flaws, get a job, and learn to accept any word of means of communication. I mean, for one thing, if you tell us not to say something, yet you go around saying it with your friends, your argument becomes irrelevant, since [I]you[/I] can say it but [I]I[/I] can't. Isn't that too, a discriminating way to act? P2: ... P3: MOTHERFUCKING FUCK-- *P3 fires his Uzi into P1's chest* P3: I thought I heard him say 'nigger'. P2: It wasn't aimed at anyone, homie. P3: Well... That's just another '[I]cracker[/I]'. *P2 & P3 exchange low key high fives.* See how the stereotypes work their way in to... Well, anything really. The white dude being this smart guy that spews tons of words, the black people (Whom are P2 and P3 in this story, I'll have you know) will somewhat take in what he says, only to be swayed by their other friends. And the black dude carrying an Uzi. If you took the time to read this, and take it in, you'll realize that most of the shit the world goes through is caused by people being offended. Thanks for reading this, if you did. TL;DR, I rant 'bout words 'n' shit, yo. DISCLAIMER*: None of this is aimed at anyone or anything or any race at all. It is just my valued opinion on this subject. If you think I'm wrong, prove me wrong, and then write out some lines on why you think I'm wrong. Not just, 'lolfucku im not saying n*88*8r it r bad lolomg'. And a rating is not an opinion. It's a shitty picture in the corner of your post. [B]So [I]that[/I] doesn't count.[/B] *Stuff that get's you out of trouble when people are angry at your comments [editline]06:01PM[/editline] I think I killed it. [editline]06:01PM[/editline] Fuck.
What the fuck was that Sicle. But yeah, go to a bar and call some blacks there niggers and see what happens. Words are always twisted and shit, it's the zeitgeist what matters.
[QUOTE=evilking1;19124827]What the fuck was that Sicle. But yeah, go to a bar and call some blacks there niggers and see what happens. Words are always twisted and shit, it's the zeitgeist what matters.[/QUOTE] You don't like it? [I][B]SICKLE[/B][/I]
[QUOTE=Sickle;19124896]You don't like it? [I][B]SICKLE[/B][/I][/QUOTE] I don't like I don't hate it I'm just :wtc:
Calm down my friend, you seem to be having trouble typing. [editline]06:10PM[/editline] [QUOTE=evilking1;19124927]I don't like I don't hate it I'm just :wtc:[/QUOTE] Hence this. :saddowns:
My k letter is being cut back on typing due to this economical recession.
[QUOTE=evilking1;19124947]My k letter is being cut back on typing due to this economical recession.[/QUOTE] Dat Recession [I]So[/I] shit.
What a fucking nerde.
A girl in my year wants to do maths at university, and she opened her personal statement with "I'm a geek". I facepalmed so fucking hard.
[QUOTE=Robbobin;19125320]A girl in my year wants to do maths at university, and she opened her personal statement with "I'm a geek". I facepalmed so fucking hard.[/QUOTE] 'Hi, I'm a ge--' 'AHAHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAABHABSHDGADHASVHDGSAG' 'I didn't even say gee--' 'AHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH--' [I] The end.[/I]
[url=http://militantgeek.com/2006/12/21/geek-vs-nerd-vs-dork/]Defenition of geek dork and nerd[/url] Nuff' said.
[QUOTE=Robbobin;19125320]A girl in my year wants to do maths at university, and she opened her personal statement with "I'm a geek". I facepalmed so fucking hard.[/QUOTE] you shoulda facepalmed her
[QUOTE=Robbobin;19125320]A girl in my year wants to do maths at university, and she opened her personal statement with "I'm a geek". I facepalmed so fucking hard.[/QUOTE] I dunno. At least it stands out.
One of her teachers said it sounded too unconventional and she started crying. I was just thinking "WHAT THE FUCK ELLYN; YOUR OPEN WAS 'I'M A GEEK'; THAT IS NOT CONVENTIONAL. [editline]03:44PM[/editline] [QUOTE=BaconDioxide;19125391]I dunno. Least it stands out.[/QUOTE] You want to stand out for being good university material, not a lamer.
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