"Geek" vs. "Nerd"

On several occasions, I have used the term "geek" regarding myself and I have had several people tell me that I should not be so belittling.

Au contraire ... I see it more as a badge of honor, rather than a derogatory term.

A nerd - on the other hand - is something that I consider an insult and would seriously consider splitting aforesaid insultor from crown to crotch!

Below are the definitions (courtesy of Wikipedia) of the two very distinct species:

GEEK

• A person who is interested in technology, especially computing and new media.
• A person who has chosen concentration rather than conformity; one who pursues skill (especially technical skill) and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance.
• A person with a devotion to something in a way that places him or her outside the mainstream. This could be due to the intensity, depth, or subject of their interest. This definition is very broad but because many of these interests have mainstream endorsement and acceptance, the inclusion of some genres as "geeky" is heavily debated. Persons have been labelled as or chosen to identify as mathematics geeks, engineering geeks, sci-fi geeks, computer geeks, various science geeks, movie and film geeks (cinephile), comic book geeks, theatre geeks, history geeks, gamer geeks, music geeks, art geeks, philosophy geeks, and literature/rp geeks.
• In a 2007 interview on The Colbert Report, Richard Clarke said the difference between nerds and geeks is "geeks get it done".

NERD

• Nerd is a term that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities or esoteric knowledge rather than engaging in more social activities, such as organized sports. Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a loner by peers.

  
  
• Nerds typically appear either to lack confidence or to be indifferent or oblivious to the negative perceptions held of them by others, with the result that they become frequent objects of scorn, ridicule, bullying, and social isolation. They show a pronounced interest in subjects which others tend to find dull or complex and difficult to comprehend, especially topics related to science, disambiguation, mathematics and technology.
  
• Nerds are often portrayed as either obese or incredibly thin. They are also stereotyped to playing role playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, MMORPGs, and other things relating to fantasy and science fiction. They are also stereotyped for being obsessed with Star Trek, Star Wars, and other sci fi shows or movies.

Clears up the confusion, doesn't it?

I recently related the geek/nerd comparison to a good friend of mine who is an avid reader of this blog:

A GEEK fences with a forged high-carbon spring steel blade with a live edge commissioned from an armorer.

A Nerd tries to fence with a plastic lightsaber, if he doesn't trip over his feet first.

A GEEK shoots a 72" wooden longbow with at least a 40lb draw weight, using arrows with hand-forged iron bodkin tips and fletched with feathers.

A Nerd shoots rubber-suction cup thingies from a toy gun, if he can avoid pointing it at himself and/or can locate the trigger.