Karen's Top Ten Badass Geeks, Dorks, and Nerds

[iwaskirsdarke]

The definitions of the words "Geek", "Dork", and "Nerd" vary almost from person to person. Here are the definitions we'll be using for this list:
Dork- Someone with general social awkwardness and, usually, above-average intelligence.
Nerd- Someone who is very smart in a lot of different subjects, and usually uninterested and/or inept in social situations.
Geek- Someone with intense interest and/or knowledge in one or more specific areas. Can overlap with the other two, but not always.



10.) Veronica Mars

Veronica: "Think I've got a future in the biz?"
Keith: "I think you've got a future as a highly-paid Ivy League-educated executive of some sort."
Classification: Nerd, Geek [Photography]
Nerd Qualifications: Graduated at the top of her high-school class. Is a natural detective, with extensive knowledge to go along with a logical mind. Has a passion for photography. Disinterest in social situations comes from her dislike of most people.
Badass Qualifications: Has an innate bravery, bordering on recklessness and/or shamelessness. Isn't afraid to defend her beliefs or the people she cares about. Is good at talking her way into and out of things, and when that doesn't work, there's always her taser and her trusty Backup.
More Badass or Nerd? Badass

9.) Peter Parker, Spider-Man

Peter: "Some spiders change colors to blend into their environment. It's a defense mechanism."
Harry: Peter, what makes you think I would want to know that?"
Peter: "Who wouldn't?"
Classification: Nerd
Nerd Qualifications: Science Award. Chess Club. School Paper. Unpopularity. Those glasses.
Badass Qualifications: He's a freaking superhero! A snarky one!
More Badass or Nerd? My Spider-Man knowledge is basically limited to the (Maguire) movies, but judging by that, it's a bit hard to tell. I'm leaning towards Nerd.

8.) Alec Hardison, Leverage

"Age of the geek, baby!"
Classification: Geek [Computers, Technology, Pop Culture, Gaming]
Geek Qualifications: He's a Hacker. That's his literal job description. He can do pretty much anything with a computer or cell phone. He's also very good at creating fake identities, has extensive knowledge of the stereotypical "geek" fandoms, and is an avid gamer.
Badass Qualifications: Although somewhat less badass than his teammates Eliot and Parker, Hardison has no lack of confidence, and can slip into a new persona just as good as anyone else can.
More Badass or Geek? Geek

7.) The Professor, Gilligan’s Island

Professor: "It would take a polyester derivative of an organic hydroxile molecule."
Mr. Howell: "Watch your language! You're in the presence of a lady!"
Classification: Nerrrddd
Nerd Qualifications: Botanist. "Well-known scoutmaster." Well-versed in whatever kind of science they needed, as well as law, literature, social sciences, languages, and the arts. Has degrees from USC, UCLA, SMU, and TCU. Is named Roy Hinkley.
Badass Qualifications: Incredibly brave. Has faced headhunters head-on (hehe) on several occasions. Has frequently taken trips around the island by himself, or volunteered for a dangerous job. Can remain calm in the most ridiculous situations.
More Badass or Nerd? Nerd

6.) The Possible Family, Kim Possible

"Anything's possible for a Possible!"
Classification: Nerds, Geeks [mostly Sciences]
Geek Qualifications: Mom: Brain surgeon. Dad: Rocket scientist (and coiner of that phrase). Twins: Seem to take after their father, frequently building interesting and dangerous inventions around the house. Kim seems to have a more rounded pool of interests, doing very well in school, and being a fashion geek herself.
Badass Qualifications: Kim is an expert in kung-fu, is incredibly brave, and frequently saved the world. Her family shares her bravery and has helped on several occasions. In Sitch in Time, Jim and Tim grew up to lead the Resistance against the Supreme One. In So The Drama, the family helped Kim and Ron escape so they could shut down the Diablos. And in Graduation Day, the Possible clan kept down the fort Earth when Kim was kidnapped by aliens.
More Badass or Geek? Kim is more Badass. The rest of the family leans more towards Nerd/Geek.

5.) Tony Stark, Iron Man

"Connect to the sys. co. Have it reconfigure the shell metals. Use the gold titanium alloy from the seraphim tactical satellite. That should ensure fuselage integrity while maintaining power-to-weight ratio."
Classification: Geek [Mechanical Engineering and Technology]
Geek Qualifications: Graduated from M.I.T. at 15. Took over his father's company at 21. Built an arc-reactor-powered suit of armor in a cave, WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS!
Badass Qualifications: See number 9.
More Badass or Geek? Even split. Tony's nerdity and badassness go hand-in-hand.

4.) Sherlock Holmes

Watson: "His ignorance was as remarkable as his knowledge."
Classification: Nerd
Nerd Qualifications: Has extensive knowledge of things that he finds useful (chemistry, botany, British law), and a complete lack of knowledge about things he doesn't care about (like the fact that the Earth revolves around the Sun). Can be good with other people, when he wants to be, but doesn't really care about socializing.
Badass Qualifications: Is an excellent swordsman and boxer. (No, Guy Ritchie didn't make that up.) Has absolute confidence and while practical, rarely if ever shows fear.
More Badass or Nerd? Nerd

3.) Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

"Actually, I'm highly logical, which allows me to look past extraneous detail and perceive clearly that which others overlook."
Classification: Nerd
Nerd Qualifications: Was the smartest and most studious kind in her Hogwarts class (and possibly the entire school). Is Hogwarts had a Valedictorian, she would have been it, and if she hadn't been, we would've all cried Bullshit.
Badass Qualifications: Powers of logical deduction. Devotion to her beliefs and causes. Love and loyalty to her friends. Fought in the Battle of Hogwarts.
More Badass or Nerd? Nerd

2.) Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."
Classification: Geek [Law]
Geek Qualifications: Is a lawyer.
Badass Qualifications: Spoke out against racism (and classism) in 1960's Alabama. And is apparently a pretty good shot.
More Badass or Geek? Even split

1.) Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter

[to Voldemort] "I'll join you when Hell freezes over."
Classification: Dork, Geek [Herbology]
Dork/Geek Qualification: Lack of confidence. Forgetfulness. Clumsiness. That outfit. Thrives in Herbology class.
Badass Qualifications: Stood up to Malfoy on several occasions. Was a founding member of Dumbledore's Army, which he took over in his 7th year. He stared down Lord Voldemort and killed Nagini.
More Badass or Dork? Badass



Honorable Mention- Dave Petrakis (Melinda's Lab Partner), Speak- An excellent student who keeps changing his mind about what career he wants to pursue, Dave Petrakis owns high school. He's completely unafraid of both the social hierarchy (he's one of Melinda's few friends) and the teachers (he walks out of a class in protest of a xenophobic lecture and his family files a lawsuit). I bet he owned college, too.


As always, these are just my opinions! Please comment and share yours!

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