Evolution of Geek

Geeks
(Source: http://www.myextralife.com/56geeks/images/two-dudes-front.jpg)

What does it mean to be a geek? Geek used to mean unfashionable or socially inept person. The word geek is derived from the Low German word "geck", meaning "crazy". The new meaning of geek is a person devoted to a particular interest. I am wondering: Doesn't this definition of geek make everybody a geek? Doesn't everybody have a special interest in something? Or, as Aristotle said: We are what we repeatedly do.

There are many different types of geeks. Here is a list of 56 different types of geeks (and counting).

56 Geeks by Scott Johnson
(Source: http://www.myextralife.com/56geeks/images/2086153791_3c96f62bf7_b.jpg)

Flowtown created this great flowchart about the evolution of the geek.

Evolution of Geek (by Flowtown)
[Source: http://www.flowtown.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ft-geek-10-20-1-520x1272.jpg]

I am not sure using these geek hand signs will make you look any cooler. :)

Geek Hand Signs (by Joey DeVilla)

[Source: http://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/geek_gang_signs.jpg]

What is the difference between a geek, a nerd, a dork and a dweeb?

The difference between Geek, Nerd, Dork, and Dweeb
[Source: http://www.geeksaresexy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/nerd-venn-diagram.jpg]

Another attempt to define geek:

What is a Geek
[Source: http://geek.travel/sites/geek.travel/files/image/geek.png]

Here is a tribute to female geek and gamer girls (by the band Team Unicorn, with special appearances by a rapping Seth Green, Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackhoff and Stan Lee).



Another classification of geeks (but classified under "nerds"):

Know your Geeks
[Source: http://www.likecool.com/Style/TShirt/Know%20Your%20Nerds/Know-Your-Nerds_1.jpg]

As geek traits are becoming more mainstream, some people ask if "Geek is going extinct?" - Read discussion here.

Where do the terms "geek" and "nerd" come from? See here to learn about the origins of geek and nerd.

XKCD summarized the difference between geeks and nerds in his own way:

The difference between nerds and geeks
[Source: http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/geeks_and_nerds.png]

This infograph offers a different comparison between geeks and nerds.

Geeks vs Nerds
[Source: http://www.mastersinit.org/geeks-vs-nerds/geek-nerd.jpg]

Funny geek hierarchy chart: Which geeks consider themselves less geeky than other geeks.

Geek vs Nerd
[Source: http://slackprop.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/on-geek-versus-nerd/]

Blog "Slackpropagation" posted an interesting analysis about the distinction between "geek" and "nerd" based on twitter posts. Read more here (Slackpropagation blog).

What do different geeks think of one another?

Geek Hierarchy Chart
[Source: http://fastcache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2008/08/the-geek-hierarchy-chart-2.0-abridged.gif]

Find of a short illustrated history of nerd here and a short history of the evolution of on-screen nerds here.

Geek flowchart:

Geek Flowchart
Source: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/03/09/opinion/09opart.large.gif]

Geek Maslow Pyramid of Needs:

Geek Maslow Pyramid of Needs
[Source: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgfawrIaP41qafy0lo1_500.jpg]

Reversed geek bullying:

Payback time for Geeko Sapiens
[Source: https://images.nonexiste.net/popular/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Evolution-of-the-geek.jpeg]

Diagram of Geek Culture:

Diagram of Geek Culture
[Source: http://www.geeksaresexy.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/tumblr_lmszv7Bzv61qbtr75o1_1280.jpg]

The list below is a somewhat random collection of geek and nerd types (and by no means complete). [Click to Enlarge]

Order of Geeks and Nerds
Source: http://www.bestcollegesonline.org/geek/