What is your definition of a geek? It may not surprise you that there is no standard definition of a “geek.” However, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has created an interesting taxonomy for its annual “Science and Engineering Indicators” report.

Forbes brought this interesting and humorous news to our attention in their article, “Geekville, USA: America’s 20 Geekiest Cities.” Geek is defined as any worker with a bachelor’s level of knowledge and education in science or engineering-related fields or workers in occupations that require some degree of technical knowledge or training. What? Wait a minute. I am a geek?

It was no surprise to find San Jose, CA at the top of NSF’s 20 Geekiest Cities in the United States, ranked by the percentage of workers with jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Nor that Microsoft’s home base in Seattle or NASA’s Huntsville domain appeared on the same list. I do have to say I was a little surprised to see Ames, Iowa.

Melody K. Smith

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