Are YOU Geek Enough?

[Nalgas D. Lemur]

I've built an engine that runs on compressed air. From Legos.

I approve. I've been meaning to build a Lego adding machine for the past few years, but I don't have enough space to pull them all out and work on it. Oh, and it uses balanced ternary [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_ternary], because binary and decimal are for wimps. I mostly worked out the math side of it a while ago and have ideas for the mechanics, but I'm not sure when I'll get around to actually putting it together.

 

[Nalgas D. Lemur]

I hate hearing people say, "Oh my gawd I loooooved Star Trek as a kid! I was such a GEEK!" No you weren't. If you were, you'd know that Star Wars is infinitely better than Star Trek.

No, a true geek would be able to appreciate both -- and a really serious geek would much rather watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture than Star Trek (2009), which was basically Star Wars in Star Trek clothing. Seriously, Star Wars has cross sub-cultural appeal; it takes a true nerd to geek out over Star Trek, but anyone who likes explosions can enjoy Star Wars.

A "true" sci-fi geek would complain that both Star Trek and Star Wars are barely even science fiction (Star Trek is at the very, very "soft" end of the spectrum, and Star Wars is more like fantasy set in space) and then go back to the Nerd-Cave to read instead, because there's relatively little sci-fi stuff in TV/movie form that isn't so soft it's squishy. As much fun as both of those are (and I've spent many, many hours with both and enjoy them), they're not nearly as geeky (and usually not nearly as good, in my opinion) as some of the books and short stories out there. I'm probably a bit biased by growing up with access to a pretty significant collection of books from the Golden Age, though (a lot of which I was lucky enough to be given by my uncle, who was into them when he was growing up).

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I hate hearing people say, "Oh my gawd I loooooved Star Trek as a kid! I was such a GEEK!" No you weren't. If you were, you'd know that Star Wars is infinitely better than Star Trek.

No, a true geek would be able to appreciate both -- and a really serious geek would much rather watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture than Star Trek (2009), which was basically Star Wars in Star Trek clothing. Seriously, Star Wars has cross sub-cultural appeal; it takes a true nerd to geek out over Star Trek, but anyone who likes explosions can enjoy Star Wars.

A "true" sci-fi geek would complain that both Star Trek and Star Wars are barely even science fiction (Star Trek is at the very, very "soft" end of the spectrum, and Star Wars is more like fantasy set in space) and then go back to the Nerd-Cave to read instead, because there's relatively little sci-fi stuff in TV/movie form that isn't so soft it's squishy. As much fun as both of those are (and I've spent many, many hours with both and enjoy them), they're not nearly as geeky (and usually not nearly as good, in my opinion) as some of the books and short stories out there. I'm probably a bit biased by growing up with access to a pretty significant collection of books from the Golden Age, though (a lot of which I was lucky enough to be given by my uncle, who was into them when he was growing up).

Touche, although I've read my share of golden age stuff too. I do tend more towards the pulp side of the spectrum, though; hard scifi can be good, but I don't like it when the fi is too heavily bogged down by the sci.

 

[Choppaduel]

either too much, or not enough.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Let see, I went to uni to study a computer related course which I learn to use extra software?s that non geek people haven't heard of. I used to buy gundam models (I don't have the time to built one these days) and I have a wide taste for anime (but I don't consider myself to be an Otaku). Lastly my social life is more of an antisocial since I lived in the middle of no where so I lack friends over here. I completely fine with this since I've still got my friends from uni which I've keep in torch with them online.
I pretty sure I qualify to be a geek.

 

[Vault101]

hmmm I dont consider myself particually smart or intullectual

how ever my house is covered with all kinds of posters, here the ones I have

[http://s1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb437/Vault10191/?action=view&current=postershouse.jpg]

the Fallout NV and gordon freeman are in black and white

I also Have a big collection of games and movies and I LOVE toys, you know stuff you get with collectors editions

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

I'm not really all that geeky, to be honest.

I mean, I enjoy some things that are considered geeky by the ignorant general public. Which I suppose means I am kind of a nerd to people who are not nerds.
But I'm not really all that knowledgeable or skilled or obsessed with anything. So I guess I'm kind of in that middle zone where nobody wants to be your friend and you live a life of loneliness. You are too cool for the uncool kids and too uncool for the cool kids.

Excuse me a moment I must wipe away a single tear of pure liquid sorrow. And then retreat back into my birthday party.
Which is attended by my dog and no one else.
[small]Also my dog is not even there because he is dead.[/small]

[sub][sub][sub]sob[/sub][/sub][/sub]

 

[guntotingtomcat]

All the philosophers and theologists in the house say "EH-OH"
...
Wow, pretty quiet in here.

 

[Kinguendo]

Im into offroad RCs, i have an 1/10th scale entry level hobby grade Traxxas Rustler and im looking to upgrade it to VXL when i get $150 to get the motor and electronic speed control package and i still need to get a 5 channel radio for it too... Im also thinking about getting the Gran Turismo edition HPI E-10

heres a couple pics

That is one of the least appetizing Rustlers sandwhiches I have ever seen, I mean... I WILL take a couple of bites but I dont like the idea of rubber parts ina a sandwhich.

OT: I surely am nerd enough, Fo SHIZZLE! (See? Convinced yet?)

 

[SckizoBoy]

I am...

A nerd. Why? I did A-Level maths (B if you're interested) when I was 12... and all the other subjects were every science under the sky. (Guess what I'm at uni doing...) I get excited talking about synthetic chemistry (piss off! *points finger at anyone looking*).

A geek. Why? I've played or own virtually every AA-RPG out there that was released after 2002, I contemplated starting a religion in WoW (unoriginal, but still), I have at least half a dozen full WH40K/WHF armies (which adds up to a shitload of points), and I get incredibly worked up about the 'historical accuracy' or 'realism' of any game I play.

Deny me now!

 

[xdom125x]

I am not smart or old enough to do many of the things others have listed so far, so here are a few things.
In my downtime(which I have a lot of) I study the backstory of comicbook characters and continuities so I can be able to talk about them as if I have read the comics(which I intend to do eventually).

Also I have shirts that include:
one with like 50 of the original 151 pokemon
one with a 1-up mushroom from mario which says under it "Get A Life"
One with Sonic(poor poor Sonic) in front of a checkered flag.

I have an encyclopedia of Spider-Man characters from like 6 years ago.

edit: also have box sets of
Fullmetal Alchemist seasons 1&2
Justice League
Back to the Future
Lord of the Rings

 

[aPod]

Im into offroad RCs, i have an 1/10th scale entry level hobby grade Traxxas Rustler and im looking to upgrade it to VXL when i get $150 to get the motor and electronic speed control package and i still need to get a 5 channel radio for it too... Im also thinking about getting the Gran Turismo edition HPI E-10

Now that's what I'm talking about! Awesome!

I enjoy it very much, but it is an expensive hobby and I do not make enough money to enjoy it to the fullest. I hear that you can get the Traxxas Rustler to 80 mph with teh right motor, the right gearing, the right battery and the right amount of money...

That's awesome man, I love the gas powered RC's. Cousin has an electric one but he always says it's just not as fun. Even though it's faster. He's way more into it than me, has planes and helicopters too.

 

[Daniel_Rosamilia]

In the 16 strange years of my life, I've pumped more than half a year into video games. (182+ days/4368+ hours)

 

[Fooz]

I configure routers in OSPF and EGRIP protocols before and after I play some vidya. Then, I log on to a Linux machine and type a ton of commands into the terminal. NO GUIs ALLOWED!

Ladies please, there is enough of me to go around.

the last part made me laugh, and the configuring routers in OSPF and EGRIP protocols got me a little hot under the collar

as for being a nerd/slash geek, well im constantly called it by my dad due to my apparent obbsession for gaming and game related subjects, that and the fact im doing maybe the 'nerdiest' course at my college, this being games development.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow Escapists:
What are we if not geeks? Our common hobby alone is a perfect example of that, yet it is hardly the extend of the geekiness for some of us. In this thread, proudly strut your geekiness! The "pics or it didn't happen" rule is in effect. We want EVIDENCE, not anecdotes!

Naturally, I'll start:

Spoiler

Some of you may recognize this molecule. It's caffeine, a most wonderful compound. This isn't a simple rendering. The spectrum (IR for the curious) was calculated from scratch using the B3LYP method. The mesh is the electron density around the molecule, also calculated by yours truly (aka my netbook over 3-ish hours). Uhm yes, I do quantum mechanical calculations for fun...

The IR spectrum. Ohh it's been a while. Where's that signature O-H peak!?

OT - In my current life with a nominally normal job I just read nerdy novels and love them. ie Neal Stephenson.

There's no OH stretch there (normally at ~3500cm-1), all of the oxygen are found in carbonyl groups. The peaks at ~3300cm-1 are due to secondary amines (nitrogen is colored blue in the molecule). I can actually show the corresponding vibration to each peak as well, but it seems I can't post quicktime movies here.

 

[Trildor]

I don't quite think I'm at the level of a lot of people here, but I geek out over football (soccer), pro wrestling and Star Wars. IT has never held my interest, but I know more about those three topics than is probably healthy.

 

[Samwise137]

Oh man, I wish I had the mp3 we recorded of my buddy saying "I build robots for fun MuthaF**ka" into a T-Pain autotune app...

 

[GamemasterAnthony]

Crap...I wish I had a working digital camera. I could show you guys the pics of my replicas of the Master Sword and Hylian Shield as well as my TV which is currently hooked up with a VCR, DVD player, NES, Super NES, N64, Gamecube, Wii, PS2, and XBOX360. (Yes...all at once.)

 

[Stasisesque]

I'm borderline obsessed with museums, classic literature, architecture, FPSs, strategy games and simulation games; I have an almost complete Monty Python merchandise collection (including some pieces I've actually had to auction bid for), there are currently five Grimlock "toys" on a shelf above my desk (all of which in their original packing, god help you if you open them)...

But I'm not all that technical, I can fix the odd problem - but I'm not confident enough to open my computer case, let alone think about BIOS and such. I'm not sure if I'm a geek or just a massive fangirl.

 

[MikhailGH]

Yeah you actually couldn't count me into the geek sometimes, cause while enjoying most of the geek activities, I don't have that compulsive need to remember weird details from every game/book/movie/series I consumed. And I am shit at maths (and with it physics, chemistry, programming...). And my grades are borderline catastrophic, I am managing university sheer on the power of my intellect somehow.

On the other hand, I have a huge cardgame collection, play boardgames and roleplay from time to time, spend most of my time hiding in my apartment playing videogames and watching anime. Any sane person would call me a geek. Its your call