Geek =/= Good in maths

This post is written in response to Jason Fox of Foxtrot comic strip - a stereotype of a geek that is also good in maths yet somehow do not behave logically.

Notice my use of "also" in the above statement.

Yes, what I want to say is that being a geek does not require you to be good in maths.

What makes a geek one in the first place? The definition of a geek will greatly decide if he is good in maths or not. If by geek you mean a person with a degree in computer science, then hell yea he is good in maths. But if geek you mean one who watches Star Trek and knows how to build a computer, then no.

A geek does not need to be good in maths because his area of interest may not require it. Watching movies or playing video games (although this has a higher tendency to be called "nerd") does not require maths, same goes for assembling computers or rewiring your house's networking cables. This is where technicians come in, and technicians do not need to be good in maths.

Let's see the definition of a geek:

Wikipedia -
a peculiar or otherwise odd person, especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with one or more things including those of intellectuality, electronics, etc

Dictionary.com -
1. a computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often considered offensive when used by outsiders.)
2. a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp. one who is perceived to be overly intellectual.
3. a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken.

In neither definitions was being good in maths explicitly mentioned. Computer and electronics are explicitly mentioned though, and the term geek is commonly associated with these.

So being a geek does not mean you're good in maths. In fact, many a times the contrary happens - because a geek is too engrossed with his enthusiasm he neglects studies and scores badly. I do know of many like that. And if one's not good in maths he's not good in logic either.

The same logic can be applied conversely - being good in maths does not make you geek either - see the student council. Ok, maybe they are geeky, but in a different way. And I do know of people good in both academics and sports.

I'm typing this, because I know that I'm a level 0.7 geek, yet I'm taking heavy damages from maths quizzes.

So yes, geek =/= good in maths

I also hate technicians that call themselves engineers - copying product designs from datasheets does not make one an engineer - I can get anyone from ADM to do that, and they bundle it with good aesthetics and photography. (Coincidentally, it just happens that a friend I know studying design is more experienced in soldering and machining than me)

Being an engineering student does mean being good in maths. But you'll still get a 'D' if you're "good". In this course, "excellent" is the average.

It's no wonder that after they come out they become another sub-species of humans. One that as a result of natural selection has great difficulties in procreation, because they are very incompetent in the process of courtship, also known as dating. It is rumored that a huge percentage of them die as virgins.