Rice, rumors or truth?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>So i've heard some stereotypes at Rice and I just wanted to get some feedback from Rice students. I dont put 100% confidence into some of these things, but there must be a reason why such comments are widespread. Such as....</p>

<p>1) Dating sucks; either a one time hookup or marriage.
2) Girls (and guys) are mostly ugly.
3) Students are indifferent and nerdy</p>

<p>I thought these comments were irritating, but I found them to be ubiquitous. Can anyone at rice clarify them and maybe other ones?</p>

2

<p>1) Sort of true, but there are obviously exceptions. I dated a guy for a year and we went on actual dates (to the symphony, to dinner, etc.)</p>

<p>2) Not really true at all. I'm hot, for one.</p>

<p>3) Students aren't indifferent about things that interest them. Some are nerdy, some aren't. All are smart. All study hard. All do lots of other things besides study.</p>

3

<p>1) I've been on dates. I've also had my fair share of random hookups. I've also seen a number of relationships that seem like they're going to end in marriage. If you want to casually date, you can.</p>

<p>2) I know jenskate. She's not lying. I, however, am pretty darn ugly...
But seriously, there are a number of very attractive people at Rice.</p>

<p>3) I'd argue that nerdiness is a positive. But I wouldn't say there's really much indifference among the student body. There is a lot of irreverence, however.</p>

4

<p>I know someone who just visited Rice and my son goes there and I'll tell you what they said re: Nerdy. There are more geeks at Rice than nerds. They felt that nerds were more likely to be found at MIT and CMU, where they were so into their computers and studies they couldn't socialize or talk to anyone. At Rice, my Comp Sci son does go out with friends a lot and does socialize and has a great sense of humor, BUT he does love his technology and his two computers very very much and can be found working on a program bug for 10 hours at a time... and maybe he will play a game or two and is writing some, but he does have another life. That's the difference between geeks and nerds. There may be a nerd or two, but not as many as at other schools of this caliber. (Oh, and he's very nice looking :-),</p>

5

<ol>
<li><p>True. I think the majority of "relationships" are hookups. That is not to say that there aren't people dating, but... I am trying to think of people that I know that are dating someone at Rice... Ummmm. I am sure there has to be some of my friends, but I can't think of anyone. Most of my friends who are dating are in relationships with people they dated in highschool.</p></li>
<li><p>I wouldn't say ugly. And this topic has gotten me in hot water on this forum. I don't know if everyone else feels like this, but it seems like the new freshmen are really good looking. Does everyone just think that the newer class is better looking than their own? I know a lot of good looking people.</p></li>
<li><p>Lauras50, I always switched that definition of nerds and geeks. I think your definitions are correct, but flipped. I always felt that the term "geek" connotates a lifestyle of solitude and lack of social skills. Nerds have unique interests and are quarky. I think we definitely have nerds, but I really like that! It is a nice change from the annoying socialites in high school and universities dominated by Frats and Sororities.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>Oh and I still can't figure out who you are NYSkins. who are you?</p>

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<p>Purely anecdotal, but I googled Geek versus nerd and this is the first entry. My son proudly calls himself a geek, as did many of his high school friends, but would have been insulted to be called a nerd. You will see the notes below agree with my understanding, but I'm sure nothing is written in technilogical "stone".
<a href="http://web.vee.net/stuff/geek-vs-nerd.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.vee.net/stuff/geek-vs-nerd.html&lt;/a>
Are you a geek, or are you a nerd? Here's your chance to find out. </p>

<p>There are many confused lay people out there in today's modern world who are unhappily unaware of the difference between geeks and nerds. Even more sadly, there are also many geeks and nerds who do not know of the true nature of their own stereotype. This guide can be used to differenciate quickly and accurately between these two social classes. </p>

<p>When dealing with geeks and nerds, it is often handy to have a copy of the Jargon File available. The Jargon File is an extremely useful lexicon of geeky and nerdy terms, with easy to read explainations. The 'File has been the basis for much of the formal definitions put down in this document. </p>

<p>You should take care to not confuse the social classes geek and nerd with the entries of the same name on the Scale of Computer Proficiency. I guess will have to document that, one day as well. </p>

<p>If you have any suggesions as to how this document could be improved, please let me know. For the record, I call myself a geek. </p>

<p>Geeks
From the Jargon File entry for "geek": </p>

<p>"A person who has chosen concentration rather than conformity; one who pursues skill (especially technical skill) and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance. Geeks usually have a strong case of neophilia. Most geeks are adept with computers and treat hacker as a term of respect, but not all are hackers themselves - and some who are in fact hackers normally call themselves geeks anyway, because they (quite properly) regard `hacker' as a label that should be bestowed by others rather than self-assumed." </p>

<p>Nerds
From the Jargon File entry for "nerd": </p>

<p>"Pejorative applied to anyone with an above-average IQ and few gifts at small talk and ordinary social rituals."</p>

8

<p>haha... nerds are "quarky"</p>

<p>As far as I have been taught, "geek" denotes someone who is secluded and lacks social graces. A geek may not necessarily be brilliantly smart, but they are always awkward and rather single-minded. A nerd is someone who is incredibly intelligent and is not ashamed of it. Nerds like what they learn in school and don't think homework is a nuisance.</p>

9

<p>Anyone else want to weigh in? I like breadandbutter's definitions. I think he or she is right on about the geeks not necessarily being smart (like they might not even be smart at all- I have met those before)</p>

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<p>I know who NYskins is, and he is very nice looking.</p>

<p>And hahahaha, LOL torres, you have certainly shown your growth , maturity and wisdom over these years when describing the physical attributes of the opposite sex! Props to you! I can't believe you are almost 1/2 way through college. Time flies!</p>

11

<p>I've always thought that nerd had more of a positive connotation than geek. Urban Dictionary says so.</p>

<p>And torrestowers, I live in the suite next door, quad side. That's one of the funny things about the anonymity of handles; you have no idea if you've ever talked to these people before.</p>

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<p>Alex? hmmm</p>

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<p>NYSkins nice looking? I laugh with disdain.</p>

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<p>Very relevant Dorian. Do you go to HCC?</p>

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<p>Thank you for that. I would like to point out that I know NYSkins, and I assume that he would understand my statement as a joke. I guess irreverence is no longer acceptable 'round these parts.</p>

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<p>Torres-</p>

<p>No, quad side. Alex is on street side. I don't particularly like giving out my name in a public forum such as this, however.</p>

<p>And irreverence is always welcome.</p>

17

<p>I consulted the Urban dictionary to settle the dispute between nerds and geeks. (Then I made a facebook group titled "Nerds Are So Sexy")</p>

<p>The main difference between the two is that nerds are intelligent in all cases, while geeks can just be stupid and still nerdy.</p>

<p>Urbandictionary.com's definition:</p>

<p>A person who gains pleasure from amassing large quantities of knowledge about subjects often too detailed or complicated for most other people to be bothered with.</p>

<p>Often mistaken for Geeks, who aspire to become nerds, yet lack the intelligence, and end up giving nerds a bad name due to their poor social skills.</p>

<p>Non-nerds are often scared of nerds, due to their detailed knowledge, and therefore seemingly high levels of intelligence - and subsequently denegrate them as much as possible as often as possible.</p>

<p>Nerds exist covertly within the fabric of society, often choosing to 'nerd it up' in private or in the company of fellow nerds. It is for this reason they are feared the most - unlike geeks, who are easily identified, nerds can only be found out when casual conversation reaches a subject that they like nerding.</p>

18

<p>So apparently "nerd" is a verb now.</p>

19

<p>A lot of Rice students don't date that much. It definitely isn't the type of atmosphere where everyone you know has a date every weekend (or even half the people you know). However, some people at Rice do date (I'm dating someone at the moment, about half the people I know are dating someone, though some of these relationships a borderline marriage relationships). And if you want to date, there's definitely the opportunity - most people at Rice aren't opposed to it, they're just bad at taking the initiative and actually asking someone out on a date - so if you're willing to ask someone out, you'll probably get a date.</p>

20

<p>1) I would sadly have to agree with this one. After my freshman year i realised the stereotype was mainly true. People most often than not just hook up and guys do not usually want to date the other girls.
2) I would say that the girls are definitely not as good looking as compared to my high school. there are some good looking girls at rice but proportionally there are not many good looking girls. get those beer googles on and it wont matter though buddy :)
3) This is definitely not true. most students are down to earth and although really smart are multi-dimensional people with interesting things to say with many more things to do besides just study.</p>