Geek Tube Map

Great overview of major geek franchises.

Geek knowledge Quiz

Courtesy of: Infographic Journal

A Short Illustrated History of the Nerd

Visit the Kuriositas blog for an interesting illustrated short history of the "nerd": A Short Illustrated History of the Nerd ~ Kuriositas

Increasing conformity in geekdom

Source: http://myextralife.com/56geeks/

A geek used to be a person who had a strong particular interest (that was often not shared by many others). However, as "geekness" has become more mainstream (and acceptable), the understanding of what constitutes a geek became more uniform (See The Evolution of Geek):


A geek must love science fiction (ALL science fiction, but especially Star Wars and Star Trek). A geek must like fantasy books and movies (ALL of them). A geek must read and collects comics books. A geek must have numerous collectibles in his room and office. A geek must play role playing games (both tabletop and online). A geek must be into cosplay and attend conventions (such as ComiCon and DragonCon). 


Daljeet Singh from the "Geeks are sexy" blog wrote an interesting personal reflection of how the geek community started to outcast geeks who do not show interest for that whole "geek package". Read more here: I’m a Geek…and I Don’t Like Star Wars

I agree with Daljeet's observations. Geeks identify themselves by a particular interest and often had to endure being social outcasts for their passions. It would be ironic if the geek community would outcast fellow geeks for not being geeky enough.

Star Wars universe map

This enormous map shows the planets, regions, and hyperspace routes of the Star Wars universe [Click to enlage].

Source: http://i.imgur.com/TyAi9.jpg

The Jedi Career Path

The Jedi Path (Source: Wookieepedia)

According the book "The Jedi Path", the career of a Jedi is challenging and can lead to many different specializations.

I created the diagram below to illustrate the different career paths of a Jedi (in the time of the Galactic Republic) [Click to Enlarge]:

The Jedi Career Path

If an initiate did not get accepted as a Padawan, he/she could join the Jedi Service corps or leave the order.

If a Jedi Padawan passed the Jedi trials and became a Jedi Knight, he/she could join one of three branches: Jedi Guardian (typically blue lightsabers), Jedi Consular (typically green lightsabers), or Jedi Sentinel (typically yellow lightsabers).

From an educational perspective, the Jedi career path is a good example of apprenticeship learning: An initiate becomes part of a community of practice, mentored by a practicing master who assigns increasingly more challenging tasks, and learns from observing the master in action. Such situated learning is often used in trades, music, martial arts and other sports.

Big Bang Theory Network Diagram

The popular CBS TV-show "The Big Bang Theory" presents a complex network of characters. I created the diagram below to illustrate the various types of relationships.

Big Bang Theory Network [Click to Enlarge]

For other entries on geek culture, see for example Geek hierarchy chart and Evolution of geek.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Big Bang Theory Wikia

The Meta-Geek

Copyright Scott Johnson: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottjohnson/1190004360/ 

With geek culture becoming more mainstream, a novel form of geek emerges - the meta-geek.

A "meta-geek", or "geek geek", is fascinated with geek culture without being deeply involved in any one sub-culture. Meta-geeks are geeks about geek culture itself.

For example:

• A meta-geek can follow geek-related blogs and watches videos from geek-related events (such as Comic-Con, Dragon-Con, or Star Trek conventions) without going there in person.
• A meta-geek can be knowledgeable about comic characters without reading comics themselves. 
• A meta-geek can blog about other geek cultures (for example, see Geek hierarchy chart and Evolution of geek) or read geek-related blogs (for example Geeksaresexy.net or Geekosystem.com).

Geek Zodiac

The Geek Zodiac: Concept by James Wright. Design by Josh Eckert.
Source: geekzodiac.jpg (2000×1517)

You might also like:
-The Geek hirarchy chart:
-The Geek Maslow Pyramid of Needs
-The Evolution of Geek

Geek Hierarchy Chart

Funny geek hierarchy chart: Which geeks consider themselves less geeky than other geeks.

You might also be interested in the Geek Maslow pyramid of needs and the Evolution of Geek.

NY Times Geek Flowchart (Click to Enlarge)

Geek Diagram

[Source: BCO | Via Geeks are Sexy]

Geek Maslow Pyramid of Needs

(by loulouk)

Evolution of Geek

Geeks
(Source: http://www.myextralife.com/56geeks/images/two-dudes-front.jpg)

What does it mean to be a geek? Geek used to mean unfashionable or socially inept person. The word geek is derived from the Low German word "geck", meaning "crazy". The new meaning of geek is a person devoted to a particular interest. I am wondering: Doesn't this definition of geek make everybody a geek? Doesn't everybody have a special interest in something? Or, as Aristotle said: We are what we repeatedly do.

There are many different types of geeks. Here is a list of 56 different types of geeks (and counting).

56 Geeks by Scott Johnson
(Source: http://www.myextralife.com/56geeks/images/2086153791_3c96f62bf7_b.jpg)

Flowtown created this great flowchart about the evolution of the geek.

Evolution of Geek (by Flowtown)
[Source: http://www.flowtown.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ft-geek-10-20-1-520x1272.jpg]

I am not sure using these geek hand signs will make you look any cooler. :)

Geek Hand Signs (by Joey DeVilla)

[Source: http://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/geek_gang_signs.jpg]

What is the difference between a geek, a nerd, a dork and a dweeb?

The difference between Geek, Nerd, Dork, and Dweeb
[Source: http://www.geeksaresexy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/nerd-venn-diagram.jpg]

Another attempt to define geek:

What is a Geek
[Source: http://geek.travel/sites/geek.travel/files/image/geek.png]

Here is a tribute to female geek and gamer girls (by the band Team Unicorn, with special appearances by a rapping Seth Green, Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackhoff and Stan Lee).



Another classification of geeks (but classified under "nerds"):

Know your Geeks
[Source: http://www.likecool.com/Style/TShirt/Know%20Your%20Nerds/Know-Your-Nerds_1.jpg]

As geek traits are becoming more mainstream, some people ask if "Geek is going extinct?" - Read discussion here.

Where do the terms "geek" and "nerd" come from? See here to learn about the origins of geek and nerd.

XKCD summarized the difference between geeks and nerds in his own way:

The difference between nerds and geeks
[Source: http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/geeks_and_nerds.png]

This infograph offers a different comparison between geeks and nerds.

Geeks vs Nerds
[Source: http://www.mastersinit.org/geeks-vs-nerds/geek-nerd.jpg]

Funny geek hierarchy chart: Which geeks consider themselves less geeky than other geeks.

What do different geeks think of one another?

Geek Hierarchy Chart
[Source: http://fastcache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2008/08/the-geek-hierarchy-chart-2.0-abridged.gif]

You might also be interested in the Geek Maslow pyramid of needs and the Evolution of Geek.

Geek Flowchart
Source: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/03/09/opinion/09opart.large.gif]

Geek Maslow Pyramid of Needs:

Geek Maslow Pyramid of Needs
[Source: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgfawrIaP41qafy0lo1_500.jpg]

Diagram of Geek Culture:

Diagram of Geek Culture
[Source: http://www.geeksaresexy.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/tumblr_lmszv7Bzv61qbtr75o1_1280.jpg]