Types of Geeks

Speaking of types of geeks, I found this humorous cartoon picture featuring "56 types of geeks".

You can either fit yourself into one of those interesting categories, or you can even make up your own "geeky kind".

Here I included a few mainstream geek types out in the modern society around the world.

Firstly, the nerds. Nerds are often portrayed either overweight or short and thin. They are pictured to be unattractive, have difficulties in sports etc but they can be very smart.It's been said that "Nerds are the people of above-average intelligence who place little importance on their appearance". However certain old time nerdy activity or subject can become less nerdy overtime due to the evolving image of the majority population taking that interest. For instance computers, video games, the internet, TV etc.

Everyone who knows Japanese styled cartoon or so called "manga", knows the word Otaku". It means "venerable house", but also refers to someone who has a devotion to a subject or hobby to the point of not leaving his or her house. The modern Japanese image of an otaku is someone who only leaves their house to eat or shop and have a huge obsession about something.(not necessarily anime and manga). Generally speaking, calling someone an otaku in Japan is an insult. However, the same word "Otaku" when said in China, reduces its negative meanings. If someone labelled themselves as an "Otaku", it can be easily taken as a mere joke with much less of the negative meaning. Sometimes people choose to have a weekend Otaku lifestyle, which means they work all week, non-stop and when it comes to the weekend, they don't leave the house and just relax at home. In the western culture, the term otaku has numerous effects to different people. Some people might even take it as a compliment.

Neets, on the other hand, is one of those "gone too far" kind of geeks. The word "neet" means "Not in education, employment or training." it's the type of geeks equivalent to the type of "Otaku" who absolutely doesn't leave the house unless they have to. If calling someone an otaku in Japan is considered an insult, then in certain content the translation of the word "otaku" might just be "neet" as its implying that the person's social skills have not been developed fully due to their obsession in their chosen fandom. In many Asian countries, neets are financially supported by their parents and they don't choose to contribute to the society what so ever.