What's a nerd? What's a geek? Read this article, then go rumble on the message boards.

Are you a nerd? Are you a geek? Are you insulted by either appellation? You shouldn't be. If you haven't figured it out by now, it's cool to be a geek. And you can't get to geek without going through nerd.

What's a nerd?

Merriam-Webster says the word "nerd" probably originated with a Dr. Suess book, (If I Ran the Zoo), circa 1950, which explains why it's hard to find nerds in classic movies. The definition falls along the lines of a "socially inept person... slavishly devoted to intellectual pursuits."

But forget the dictionary for a moment. Our cultural definition of a nerd assumes nerds are smarter than average, have no clue how to dress attractively, and lack even the most basic social skills. Stereotpyical nerds are into both science and science fiction. They get good grades but are miserable in school due to peer abuse, both psychological and physical. Oh, and nerds are supposed to suck at sports.

We tend to set nerdism in the context of junior high and high school, as many nerds find their salvation when they go to college. In our documentary Kid Nerd, the adults interviewed refer frequently to the isolation and persecution that characterized their childhoods. It's no coincidence most nerd movies focus on adolescence.

What's a geek?

"A person often of an intellectual bent who is disapproved of," Merriam-Webster says, right after defining the term as the wild carnival freak everyone loves to cite to those who call themselves geeks. ("So, you bite the heads off chickens?" "No, but I could replace you with a tiny shell script if you piss me off.")

As with "nerd," our cultural definition of "geek" is somewhat looser than Merriam-Webster's. At TechTV, we've always believed geekdom is something to aspire to. You take a nerd, add a big dose of cool, and you have a geek.

Geeks enjoy interacting with people, particularly other geeks. They share the nerd's involvement in science and science fiction, and may even be a "Star Wars geek" or a "Tolkein geek." But they also maintain a social life beyond their geek interests.

To achieve true geekiness, you pretty much have to have been a nerd for at least a short period in your life.

So why 'Nerd Nation'?

Aside from the alliteration, we launched this documentary series as "Nerd Nation" because it's long past time nerds get the respect they deserve. Hell, Western society depends greatly on nerds who can invent and repair the technologies we refuse to live without.

Why should nerds be overshadowed by the geeks we already know and revere? Geeks may be more visible (see that "social life" thing) than nerds, but that doesn't make nerds less important. Nerd Nation is a community where nerds (and geeks) can discuss the topics of the day with kindred spirits. ("The same thing we do every night, Pinky....")

We have our own theme song and message board. We have advice on getting a real-life date with a nerd as well as nerd-approved cybersex tips.

If you're not sure whether you belong here, take the quiz to test your nerdhood. And for the unabashadly nerdy: wallpaper.

Relax. As a loyal TechTV fan, you belong here.

Don't agree with Gina? Think she's spot on? Either way let her know on the Nerd Nation message board. Remember, nerds and geeks both love to debate, so have at it!