4 ms·

I feel that there seems to be a, albeit perhaps weak, correlation between hackers/geeks and some kinds of physical activity. Mostly I'm thinking of running and

by baltoo 17y ago

I feel that there seems to be a, albeit perhaps weak, correlation between hackers/geeks and some kinds of physical activity. Mostly I'm thinking of running and mountain climbing. While of course I'm biased and base my observations upon the plural of anecdote, I still find this observation to hold true. I could of course hazard some kind of guess to why, but more interestingly, I think, would be if there was any kind of non-anecdotal data covering this. Has anyone heard/read about any evidence for or against this?

lmkg 17y ago
I saw a study a few years ago across athletes in school, correlating cross-country running with a higher average GPA. In fact, cross-country was the only sport with a GPA higher than the student body as a whole. I realize this isn't exactly the same as "geeks," and I apologize for the lack of specifics, but yes, there is evidence for some sort of link.
- noahlt 17y ago
  This might be because at most schools there are no cuts to the cross country team.
mbrubeck 17y ago
No less anecdotal, but the classic "Real Programmers Don't Eat Quiche" includes: "Real Programmers don't play tennis, or any other sport which requires a change of clothes. Mountain Climbing is acceptable. Real Programmers wear climbing boots to work in case a mountain should suddenly spring up in the middle of the machine room." http://www.lib.ru/ANEKDOTY/quiche.txt http://www.lib.ru/ANEKDOTY/quiche.txt
- dpapathanasiou 17y ago
  Not funny if intended as a joke, and ridiculous otherwise. More dumb stereotyping.
  - lmkg 17y ago
    It's a riff on Real Men Don't Eat Quiche, and if it's in the same spirit, it's self-satirizing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Men_Dont_Eat_Quiche http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Men_Dont_Eat_Quiche
- mapleoin 17y ago
  I wear mountain boots all the time for that exact reason!
realitygrill 17y ago
Also anecdotal, but physicists and mathematicians are traditionally attracted to mountains. Tends to produce some notable deaths.. http://scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=355 http://scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=355 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/20/science/20CLIM.html?pagewanted=1 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/20/science/20CLIM.html?pagewa...

by baltoo 17y ago

lmkg 17y ago

I saw a study a few years ago across athletes in school, correlating cross-country running with a higher average GPA. In fact, cross-country was the only sport with a GPA higher than the student body as a whole. I realize this isn't exactly the same as "geeks," and I apologize for the lack of specifics, but yes, there is evidence for some sort of link.

noahlt 17y ago
This might be because at most schools there are no cuts to the cross country team.

mbrubeck 17y ago

No less anecdotal, but the classic "Real Programmers Don't Eat Quiche" includes: "Real Programmers don't play tennis, or any other sport which requires a change of clothes. Mountain Climbing is acceptable. Real Programmers wear climbing boots to work in case a mountain should suddenly spring up in the middle of the machine room." http://www.lib.ru/ANEKDOTY/quiche.txt http://www.lib.ru/ANEKDOTY/quiche.txt

dpapathanasiou 17y ago
Not funny if intended as a joke, and ridiculous otherwise. More dumb stereotyping.
- lmkg 17y ago
  It's a riff on Real Men Don't Eat Quiche, and if it's in the same spirit, it's self-satirizing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Men_Dont_Eat_Quiche http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Men_Dont_Eat_Quiche
mapleoin 17y ago
I wear mountain boots all the time for that exact reason!

realitygrill 17y ago

Also anecdotal, but physicists and mathematicians are traditionally attracted to mountains. Tends to produce some notable deaths.. http://scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=355 http://scottaaronson.com/blog/?p=355 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/20/science/20CLIM.html?pagewanted=1 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/20/science/20CLIM.html?pagewa...