Food Nerd vs. Food Geek, Which is correct?

Someone asked me recently whether I consider myself a Food Geek or a Food Nerd.

Well... that's a harder question to ask than you would think, because there are so many stereotypes out there.  Some people see Geeks as the sweaty, unkempt, parent's-basement-dwelling social rejects that only emerge for the next Lord of the Rings movie.  Some people see Nerds as pocket-protector-wearing, high-waisted semi-scientists who expound on scientific principles that no one understands.

But in my opinion, this is completely wrong.  Being a geek or a nerd has nothing to do with dress, hygiene or the number or writing utensils you may carry.  To me, it's the way you love what you love.  I see the difference thusly...

Geek - A person who is interested in, religiously follows, and revels in their love of an aspect of life. Their focus is usually not necessarily geared toward an academic or intellectual end, but more toward the sheer enjoyment of the activity.

Nerd - A person who is interested in, religiously follows, and revels in their love of an aspect of life or existence, but their focus is geared more toward the intellectual or academic aspect of the devotion.  They see it almost like a case study or science.

You see, both terms are a positive outlook on the person.  Neither are an insult, but a sub-classification of someone who enjoys something.  And this definition also allows you to be both at the same time.

And guess what?  EVERYONE is either a Geek or a Nerd in one facet of their life!!!  Yes, even you.  Think about it.  You have some sort of hobby, favorite show, activity that takes up at least an hour or two a week.  No matter if it's Star Trek, baseball, cooking, scrapbooking or the study of small frogs.. Congratulations, you're a geek or a nerd about that topic! My wife is a Scrapbooking Geek, but a Quilting, Baking and Flower Nerd.  My brother is a Golf Geek and an Outdoors Nerd.  Hell, my 71 year old father is a John Wayne Geek and an Utah History Nerd.  Doesn't matter the pursuit, you will be a nerd or geek.  Just some have become more socially acceptable.

To illustrate the difference between the two, I present the following.  Let's start with something everyone is familiar with, and something I was into as a kid, Star Wars.

The Star Wars Geek - This person has loved the films since they were a child.  As kids, they had as many of the toys as possible and owned multiple copies of the movies.  They've watched the films multiple times and can quote them at a moment's notice.  Some of their toys may still be in the basement as reminders of thier childhood. Yes, they may get together and dress up like Jedis, but they don't inflict their geekdom on others who just don't care.

The Star Wars Nerd -  This person has loved the movies since they were a child.  But beyond just watching them, they've studied other aspects.  They've seen all the documentaries on the Blu-ray discs.  They may have read the other books and novels.  They've may have even gone to Skywalker Ranch and toured the facility (or watched them stage some of the special effect scenes using a high-powered telescope from his uncle's mountaintop home just above the ranch when he was 6 years old, but that's an AWESOME story for another day).  Yes, they may know a great deal about this topic, but they don't inflict it upon people who do not wish to discuss it.

You'll notice that in each case, they may be doing things that seem extreme to people outside their circle of geekdom or nerdiness, but they don't effect those people negatively.  Yes, some people use either the term Geek or Nerd in a derogatory fashion.  Everyone can be guilty of it.  We've seen sports fans scream "NEEEEEERRRDDD!" Orge-like at Dungeon and Dragon players for their role-playing game, even though they have their own life-consuming version of role-playing called Fantasy Football.   And Dungeon and Dragon geeks ridicule football players for their choice of a violent sport when their 18-00 level Strength Barbarian mows through a oncoming horde of orcs with his vorpal sword, spraying blood and guts as far as the eye can see.  Anyone who disses the legitimiate love of a geeky or nerdy pursuit is wrong.

And beyond that, anyone who takes their obsession to an extreme and forces it upon others is also in the wrong.  People who do that fall into a completely separate category....

Jackass - (pronounced as Joe Flaherty does in Happy Gilmore) - Anyone who takes their Nerdiness or Geekiness to an extreme and annoying level. This is the person who would normally be a geek or nerd, but has at least two of the following four fatal flaws:
1. He has no sense of humor about the thing he loves.  The focus of his love is revered and taken WAY too seriously.
2. He inserts his geekiness/nerdiness where it does not belong.  Even though others may not care at all, he'll rattle on about it for hours, boring all those around him.
3. He belittles others for not knowing as much as he does about the topic, or he belittles others for liking something else.
4. He allows his enjoyment to turn into an obsession that takes time away from his family, friends, or personal well-being.

In the Star Wars example, you could dress up as a Stormtrooper or a Jedi for a movie premiere and still not be a Jackass. As long as you're not bothering the people around you or missing your kid's band recital to sew your Han Solo outfit, you're still a Geek or Nerd.

Watch the Triumph the Insult Comic Dog visits the Attack of the Clones line short on YouTube to see an illustration of the difference between Geek/Nerd and Jackass. All of the people in costume that are laughing at Triumph's jokes are Geeks or Nerds.  The gentleman in the Yankees Jacket with a  Lightsaber and the Qui-Gon Jinn acting out the scenes in the middle of the sidewalk are borderline.   The Wizard is definitely a Jackass.

Another example of being a Jackass happened at work.   There's this one guy who sees himself as a big movie afficianado and portends to know everything there is about pop culture and science.  He watched Captain America.  He really liked it except for one thing, which destroyed his entire image of the movie...

"Well, I just don't understand how they could make the shield bounce off the surroundings as they did.  I mean, it just doesn't follow the laws of physics.  There's no way anyone could have it bounce off a soft surface, like someone's chest, and then return to them in a boomerang fashion.   Only a child would just dismiss that."

OK, so you're willing to accept the fact that in the 1940's, government agents were capable of creating a super serum that would morph a 5' 7", 120 pound man into an elite fighting machine.  You're willing to accept that the Nazis were able to do the same, but their super soldier's face transformed into a bony, skinless crime against nature.  You're willing to believe that there a 4" cube of a magical energy could power the world once it was harnessed properly.  You'll believe that a "99 pound weakling" could pull off multiple feats of military skill with really no formal training.  And you'll completely accept that a man could crash a giant flying wing into the arctic at over 150 miles an hour, but instead of dying, be frozen into a block of ice and successfully revived 70+ years later with no major damage to his body.  And after all of that, your mind can't deal with a shield bouncing a little weird off a wall???   Really???  That destroyed your enjoyment of the movie?  I feel sorry for you.  I reference the lyrics from the Mystery Science Theme 3000 Theme song:

If you're wondering how he eats & breathes, 
And other science facts...(la! la! la!) 
Then repeat to yourself its just a show, 
I should really just relax

Basically, you can be as extreme in your love as you want, just don't be a jerk!

Now geekiness and nerdiness extends into any pursuit.  Think about car enthusiasts.  They use the term "Enthusiasts", because they have a good Marketing department.  Really, they're Car Nerds or Car Geeks.  But here's how they can fall into each category.

Car Geek - I have a friend who loves Land Rovers.  He has one and is attempting to rebuild another in his free time.  He also goes on yearly excursions to Southern Utah with other "Enthusiasts" and have a great time.  He's cultivated a great group of friends across the country and he even involves his kids.  But he never lets his love for the cars interfere with his personal life.

Car Nerd - I have a friend who runs an online auto magazine.  Check it out here.  He's becoming a great resource when it comes to all sorts of things car-related.  He researches all sorts of brands, goes to the car shows and have developed some great relationships across the industry.  He openly shares his knowledge with anyone who wants to listen, but doesn't inflict it upon others.

Car Jackass - Someone driving around with Truck Nuts or a Peeing Calvin Sticker, urinating on another brand name.  Also, someone who cares for their car more than they do their family and friends.  Guys who spend all Saturday and Sunday washing, waxing and detailing their car while the kids sit in the house, bored out of their mind. Anytime your obsession begins to control every aspect of your life, you become a jackass.

In the world of Food, the distinction between Geek, Nerd and Jackass is pretty distinct.

Food Geek - Adam Richman of Man vs. Food.  He openly expresses his love for food, knows a great deal, and will try almost anything.  He shares his experiences in a very positive and likable way with everyone he meets and puts the focus on the people who create the magic.

Food Nerd - Alton Brown of Good Eats/Iron Chef America.  His knowledge on food and food preparation is encyclopedic and he shares it in a very positive way with others.  His Good Eats series is a great teaching mechanism and he delivers his message laced with humor and reverence to those before him (Julia Child, Louis Pasteur, etc.)

Food Jackass - Gordon Ramsay from Hell's Kitchen.  Yes, he may be extremely skilled and very knowledgeable, but he dismisses those not as skilled as he is, has no sense of humor and his trademark is his abhorrent treatment of everyone around him.  The Trifecta of Jackassery.

So what am I?  Well, right now, I'm probably 80% Food Geek and 20% Food Nerd.  I really love cooking and tinkering in the kitchen just because it's fun (geekiness).  But I'm starting to collect a lot of knowledge on specific cooking styles and some of the science behind it (Nerdiness).  And above all else, I like to share my knowledge when it's asked for.  Everyone can cook and I know many people who do, but if they'd rather grab a Subway sandwich, that's cool.  (Non-Jackassery).

The simple fact is the geeks and nerds now rule the world.  Everyone in this world has something that they are geeky or nerdy about.  And that's completely fine.  Just as long as you don't lose your sense of humor about your "thing". Don't belittle others for not understanding you "thing" and don't assault someone else's "thing" out of spite,  And above all else, don't let your love turn into an overriding obsession (i.e. becoming a Jackass). Follow those simple rules and you're fine.

So no matter what you think you are, a geek or a nerd, know that both of them are badges of honor that should be cherished.  Let your geek/nerd flag fly proudly and scoff at those would belittle the loves of your life!  Know that they have their own flag that they are too scared to display out of fear of ridicule.  And for that, they are true Jackasses.