There is a good description of a personality requirement I found on this blog (http://blog.boxee.tv/2007/08/08/wanted-a-code-poet/) for a programming job in Israel typifying the stereotype:

"someone that can write PHP with two hands tied behind his back, but dreams in C++.

favorite beach book reading: design patterns (hard cover edition, signed by the authors)

favorite debate topic: LAMP vs. J2EE (prefers LAMP, but can argue both sides of the issue)

favorite animal: penguin.

hobbies: none.

(social skills are not a requirement)

if you think you fit the bill please send us an email (don't forget to mention your favorite compilation flags for the Linux kernel)."

Obviously they're trying to find someone of the stereotype - they'd be the best for that job. I laugh at my Nerd side, it's only just the beginning of personality development.

Anyway, I think this one tends to be a bit more accurate, for a stereotype: http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/appendixb.html

For instance, I find that a lot of people who program because they love to often have no problems with speaking in front of crowds. The only time I'd be nervous is if I had nothing to say. I love sharing the things I find interesting with other people, so after you get started it comes very naturally and you can just be yourself.

Nobody is defined by his computer, and nobody likes being called a [WORD_OMITTED] 500 times in one article. Can we have a downmod arrow?

Most geeks (people who have exceptional interest and ability in a particular field, usually technical) are also nerds (people who are socially awkward or abnormal). Rather than pretending that this isn't the case, why not accept reality and try to find the best way of dealing with it?

There are plenty of people out there who are exceptionally good with "nerdy" subjects, yet whom also have social lives, enjoy travel and human contact, and find a life spent locked in front of a computer to be extremely limiting. And those people are often the most respected and honored by their peers.

The common thread that I sense in these kinds of articles is one of defensiveness -- here's why I'm different, and why you should treat me with kid gloves. And I suppose that's a natural behavior for a group that perceives itself as marginal, but it's not anything particularly insightful or life-enhancing.

I liked the article. Even though it's tongue in cheek, anything that helps me help others understand me is greatly appreciated.

Now leave me alone; I'm busy.

SenseOfHumor.show()

}

isConfidentInAbilities = true;

function AmINerd()

{

    if (isConfidentInabilities && makesLotsOfMoney)
    {
        return true;
    }
    else
    {
        throw nullSenseOfHumorException;
    }