Nerds vs Dorks

I'm sure most nerds have had mini-crises wondering if they are actually nerds. In playing some online games I have come to question the definition of nerd, and if I should be associating with the "lower tiered" nerds who obviously are complete and utter morons, but seem to picture themselves as top tier nerds. After getting frustrated over the years and being able to find very little to satisfy my frustration, I finally found this Venn-Diagram.



Let me just explain a little. The three attributes, Intelligence, Obsession, and Social Ineptitude which we could see as the triumvirate of nerd-dom, are each required. I'm not totally sure I agree with the word choices for Geek and Dweeb, but since we need to label Obsession + Intelligence and Intelligence + Social Ineptitude as something, they work for now.

As previously stated, there is a lot of room when playing online games, or really doing anything, to run into morons. On the Venn diagram, they probably have Obsession and Social Ineptitude, but lacking intelligence. These Dorks are out there making true nerds look bad!

Geeks (Int + Obs) can readily observe that they aren't socially inept, and may actually be more comfortable as a Geek, or consider themselves "cool" nerds or closet nerds.

Dweebs (Int + S.I.) at least are OK with not being obsessed, because they can just see themselves as "casual" nerds. Maybe Jack of all trades nerds.

Dorks (Obs + S.I.) are where the problems start. Lacking intelligence and being unable to comprehend it, they automatically assume that Obsession is the definition of a nerd. They wear being socially inept as a badge of honor. Dorks are the people ruining the reputations of the true nerds everywhere. Worse yet, Dorks think that they have attained nerd-dom and make all other categories of nerd question themselves. Do we really want to be lumped with socially inept morons? No. The true nerds then have to find a new way to keep their identity.

I think the days of nerd-gamers are over. In the past, it took some amount of skill to get a computer to work, and to get it to play games. This entry pass in itself usually marked one as at least having intelligence. But with computers getting so much easier to use and the internet much easier to use, the flood-gates have opened and the unwashed masses of Obsessed, Socially inept have diluted the previously clean environment.

From a gaming perspective, the unwashed masses, unable to handle the level of difficulty that the real nerds are capable of, have no option but to whine and moan about it so the games are "fair". They are obsessed and socially inept, but not intelligent enough to play the game "for reals". Because the dorks have superior numbers and due to the lure of the mighty dollar, they eventually get their way.

Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of nerds who get pushed out of nerd-dom not due to lack of intelligence. Time constraints could limit obsession, and push Nerds to Dweeb status. A nerd may learn to cope with his social awkwardness and become a Geek. You can't take their Intelligence away, unless they do drugs or something stupid to lower their thinking abilities.

One commenter tried to say, "Hey, I see myself as pure intelligence. I don't even need obsession or Social Ineptitude." Well buddy, my real fear is that you're probably just a confused dork, but let me try to explain this better. The Venn diagram may work better of we think of the three traits as Intelligence, Social Ability, and um... Moderation? In this way, a true nerd has Intelligence and lacks social ability and moderation. I think these three values may all be able to be seen as "positives".

Anyway Dorks, don't get too down on yourself. It's always possible to bump up your intelligence factor. Plus, we really shouldn't see "Nerd" as the goal. We probably want Intelligence, Moderation, and Social skills to be the goal. Maybe someone can come up with a name for that. Maybe then all of us confused nerds/dweebs/geeks/dorks can figure out what to do with our lives.