Playing cool with the stereo-type we get

swgh · 03-29-2007, 01:51 PM

Hi, I though id bring up an interesting topic on the "names" people refer programmers too.

At university I study CS, and all my so-called-mates I hang out with outside uni reckon Im somwhat of a geek and nerd and somone who sits at home and codes all day ( proberly true

)

My question is this:

Why or what made programmers ( and people who are learning it ) be seen by others as a nerdish person? I know it sounds petty, but I just joke alomg when they call me it. I put it down to the fact that most do not quite understand the roots of CS so mearly mock it. But I could be wrong and barking up the wrong tree.

What do you make of the stereo type names programmers get?

Govtcheez · 03-29-2007, 02:00 PM

> Why or what made programmers ( and people who are learning it ) be seen by others as a nerdish person?

Because a lot of them are nerds?

> I put it down to the fact that most do not quite understand the roots of CS so mearly mock it.

Nope, it's because of nerds.

edit: Let's break down some facts.
-You've got almost 1000 posts on an internet forum dedicated to programming
-You admit that the idea you sit at home and code all day is "proberly true"
-You've got a conversation from Red Dwarf (?) in your signature

SlyMaelstrom · 03-29-2007, 02:16 PM

... and just so you don't feel so bad, I'm sure Govtcheez fully understands that the self-proclaimation of being the mayor of an imaginary town doesn't exactly make him the hippest cat in Michigan. We're all nerds here... it's a simple fact. The first step is acceptance.

Govtcheez · 03-29-2007, 02:22 PM

> I'm sure Govtcheez fully understands that the self-proclaimation of being the mayor of an imaginary town doesn't exactly make him the hippest cat in Michigan.

I'm hip, dammit!

<

>

psychopath · 03-29-2007, 02:26 PM

I generally perfer the word "geek" if I'm going to be called anything like that. That's assuming were going by this differentiation, or perhaps these definitions.

SlyMaelstrom · 03-29-2007, 02:32 PM

Welcome to the biggest trap in nerd-dom psychopath... everyone who's anyone knows that self-classification of nerdiness automatically makes you the biggest nerd in the land.

twomers · 03-29-2007, 02:35 PM

Why? Cause they're idiots. Nerds will take over the world. Yipee!

KONI · 03-29-2007, 02:46 PM

Well it seems that contrary to all the other scientific or literature domains, we computer scientists have one "advantage" which at the same time provides us with those classifying names:

We like what we do and have maybe more than anyone else the possibility to exercise ourselves.

Take a medicine student as example. Even if he was the biggest freak in the world, he couldn't possibly practice medicine at home, could he? Well, he could probably read books or examine people but there's a limit to what he can do. A law student, apart from reading case records or researching laws, has no practical usage of his job at home. An artist needs inspiration, it takes a lot of time to produce a true piece of art. The only similar domain I could think of would be a sports major, who exercises himself at home. But honestly, if he's not a total freak (see, as soon as someone wants to push into the limits of what he does, we call him a freak) who runs a marathon everyday of his life, he's probably exhausted after 2 hours and can't continue.

Not so for us computer scientists: we are able to apply and experience our domain as long and as often as possible, without any limitations. Additionally, the domain of "computer science" is HUGE, people who aren't involved can't even grasp what possibilities we have. We could probably read and research all day long for the rest of our lives and never know everything that has to do with computers.

As for me being called a nerd...it happens, not very often, since I practice some sport and keep myself fit. But when it happens, I take it as a compliment... YES! A geek/nerd/freak, a supranatural (supra-, not supernatural...supra is like way above super ... (HAIL TO THE TENACIOUS D) godlike being, who ascended into the transcendental domain of nerdiness, is capable of convincing the entire world, only by BEING HIMSELF, that he likes what he does and shows real interest in his work. Isn't that something we should be proud of?

twomers · 03-29-2007, 02:55 PM

>> we computer scientists [...] Not so for us computer scientists
Hey. I'm an engineer (electrical) ... or will be when I graduate.

>> We like what we do and have maybe more than anyone else the possibility to exercise ourselves.
I pretty much love my course ...

As for the last paragraph ...

Oldman47 · 03-29-2007, 04:47 PM

I code to keep my mind active and to feel as if I'm accomplishing something other than sitting in my recliner waiting for another day to go by. At 60, I'm a little too old to be a nerd.

prog-bman · 03-29-2007, 05:56 PM

I am way to sexy to be a nerd.

**Dave_Sinkula** · 03-29-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swgh

My question is this:

Why or what made programmers ( and people who are learning it ) be seen by others as a nerdish person?

What do you make of the stereo type names programmers get?

My take: it has to do with being an introvert or an extrovert.

Quote:

Extraverts tend to enjoy human interactions and to be enthusiastic, talkative, assertive, and gregarious. They take pleasure in activities that involve large social gatherings, such as parties, community activities, public demonstrations, and business or political groups. An extraverted person is likely to enjoy time spent with people and find less reward in time spent alone.

Not really a description of someone who spends a lot of time in front of a computer.

Quote:

Introverts tend to be quiet, low-key, deliberate, and relatively non-engaged in social situations. They take pleasure in solitary activities such as reading, writing, watching movies, inventing, and designing. An introverted person is likely to enjoy time spent alone and find less reward in time spent with large groups of people (although they may enjoy one-to-one or one-to-few interactions with close friends).

That seems to describe a programmer a little more closely.

Since the likelihood of a programmer being an introvert is probably above average, it generally lends itself that a programmer tends to be "more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable." Thus a nerd/geek label probably fits well for the true introvert; and it would be a humorous badge to a programmer who is a little more extroverted.

Generalization, of course.

Queatrix · 03-29-2007, 06:19 PM

I'm no nerd.

KONI · 03-30-2007, 03:26 AM

This picture explains more than I ever could:

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/the_difference.png

**Salem** · 03-30-2007, 05:19 AM

> At university I study CS, and all my so-called-mates I hang out with outside uni reckon Im somwhat of a geek and nerd
Yeah, but who do they come running to when they need some tech stuff fixing?
Payback time hopefully, with lots of grovelling, beer, pizza and money

I think it's written somewhere that "blessed are the geek, for they shall inherit the earth".

03-29-2007, 01:51 PM	#1
swgh Its hard... But im here Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: England Posts: 1,467	Playing cool with the stereo-type we get Hi, I though id bring up an interesting topic on the "names" people refer programmers too. At university I study CS, and all my so-called-mates I hang out with outside uni reckon Im somwhat of a geek and nerd and somone who sits at home and codes all day ( proberly true ) My question is this: Why or what made programmers ( and people who are learning it ) be seen by others as a nerdish person? I know it sounds petty, but I just joke alomg when they call me it. I put it down to the fact that most do not quite understand the roots of CS so mearly mock it. But I could be wrong and barking up the wrong tree. What do you make of the stereo type names programmers get? __________________ I'm just trying to be a better person - My Name Is Earl
swgh is offline

03-29-2007, 02:00 PM	#2
Govtcheez Mayor of Awesometown Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MI Posts: 8,826	> Why or what made programmers ( and people who are learning it ) be seen by others as a nerdish person? Because a lot of them are nerds? > I put it down to the fact that most do not quite understand the roots of CS so mearly mock it. Nope, it's because of nerds. edit: Let's break down some facts. -You've got almost 1000 posts on an internet forum dedicated to programming -You admit that the idea you sit at home and code all day is "proberly true" -You've got a conversation from Red Dwarf (?) in your signature __________________ -Govtcheez govtcheez03@hotmail.com
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03-29-2007, 02:16 PM	#3
SlyMaelstrom Devil's Advocate Join Date: May 2004 Location: Out of scope Posts: 3,778	... and just so you don't feel so bad, I'm sure Govtcheez fully understands that the self-proclaimation of being the mayor of an imaginary town doesn't exactly make him the hippest cat in Michigan. We're all nerds here... it's a simple fact. The first step is acceptance. __________________ Terms of Service By quoting or replying directly to this post, you consent to the fact that all of the information in the post above is completely accurate and highly intelligent and no comments will be made towards its validity, thoughtlessness, and/or grammatical structure. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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03-29-2007, 02:22 PM	#4
Govtcheez Mayor of Awesometown Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MI Posts: 8,826	> I'm sure Govtcheez fully understands that the self-proclaimation of being the mayor of an imaginary town doesn't exactly make him the hippest cat in Michigan. I'm hip, dammit! <> __________________ -Govtcheez govtcheez03@hotmail.com
Govtcheez is offline

03-29-2007, 02:26 PM	#5
psychopath The Right Honourable Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Where circles begin. Posts: 1,068	I generally perfer the word "geek" if I'm going to be called anything like that. That's assuming were going by this differentiation, or perhaps these definitions. __________________ Memorial University of Newfoundland Computer Science www.daniel-cook.net Mac and OpenGL evangelist.
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03-29-2007, 02:32 PM	#6
SlyMaelstrom Devil's Advocate Join Date: May 2004 Location: Out of scope Posts: 3,778	Welcome to the biggest trap in nerd-dom psychopath... everyone who's anyone knows that self-classification of nerdiness automatically makes you the biggest nerd in the land. __________________ Terms of Service By quoting or replying directly to this post, you consent to the fact that all of the information in the post above is completely accurate and highly intelligent and no comments will be made towards its validity, thoughtlessness, and/or grammatical structure. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
SlyMaelstrom is offline

03-29-2007, 02:35 PM	#7
twomers The superheterodyne. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 2,215	Why? Cause they're idiots. Nerds will take over the world. Yipee! __________________ I blag!
twomers is offline

03-29-2007, 02:46 PM	#8
KONI Lean Mean Coding Machine Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Luxembourg, Europe Posts: 444	Well it seems that contrary to all the other scientific or literature domains, we computer scientists have one "advantage" which at the same time provides us with those classifying names: We like what we do and have maybe more than anyone else the possibility to exercise ourselves. Take a medicine student as example. Even if he was the biggest freak in the world, he couldn't possibly practice medicine at home, could he? Well, he could probably read books or examine people but there's a limit to what he can do. A law student, apart from reading case records or researching laws, has no practical usage of his job at home. An artist needs inspiration, it takes a lot of time to produce a true piece of art. The only similar domain I could think of would be a sports major, who exercises himself at home. But honestly, if he's not a total freak (see, as soon as someone wants to push into the limits of what he does, we call him a freak) who runs a marathon everyday of his life, he's probably exhausted after 2 hours and can't continue. Not so for us computer scientists: we are able to apply and experience our domain as long and as often as possible, without any limitations. Additionally, the domain of "computer science" is HUGE, people who aren't involved can't even grasp what possibilities we have. We could probably read and research all day long for the rest of our lives and never know everything that has to do with computers. As for me being called a nerd...it happens, not very often, since I practice some sport and keep myself fit. But when it happens, I take it as a compliment... YES! A geek/nerd/freak, a supranatural (supra-, not supernatural...supra is like way above super ... (HAIL TO THE TENACIOUS D) godlike being, who ascended into the transcendental domain of nerdiness, is capable of convincing the entire world, only by BEING HIMSELF, that he likes what he does and shows real interest in his work. Isn't that something we should be proud of?
KONI is offline

03-29-2007, 02:55 PM	#9
twomers The superheterodyne. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 2,215	>> we computer scientists [...] Not so for us computer scientists Hey. I'm an engineer (electrical) ... or will be when I graduate. >> We like what we do and have maybe more than anyone else the possibility to exercise ourselves. I pretty much love my course ... As for the last paragraph ... __________________ I blag!
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03-29-2007, 04:47 PM	#10
Oldman47 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Scranton, Pa Posts: 237	I code to keep my mind active and to feel as if I'm accomplishing something other than sitting in my recliner waiting for another day to go by. At 60, I'm a little too old to be a nerd.
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03-29-2007, 05:56 PM	#11
prog-bman Sweet Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,698	I am way to sexy to be a nerd. __________________ Woop?
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03-29-2007, 06:19 PM	#13
Queatrix Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,342	I'm no nerd.
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03-30-2007, 03:26 AM	#14
KONI Lean Mean Coding Machine Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Luxembourg, Europe Posts: 444	This picture explains more than I ever could: http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/the_difference.png
KONI is offline

03-30-2007, 05:19 AM	#15
Salem and the hat of Jobseeking Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: The edge of the known universe Posts: 21,680	> At university I study CS, and all my so-called-mates I hang out with outside uni reckon Im somwhat of a geek and nerd Yeah, but who do they come running to when they need some tech stuff fixing? Payback time hopefully, with lots of grovelling, beer, pizza and money I think it's written somewhere that "blessed are the geek, for they shall inherit the earth". __________________ If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
Salem is offline

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