# Is there a term for this geek behavior (DIY at minimal savings and maximum labor) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 4, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284 "2008-01-04T17:17:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/1 "2008-01-04T17:17:59Z")
I’ve noticed a trend among geeks that I’d like a name for, if there isn’t already an accepted one. It’s basically “doing things the hard way because you have the ability to, then justifying the decision with the extremely minimal benefits gained by doing as such.” Example: I was asking a couple of electronics geeks about how I could connect one thing to another thing using an atypical connection (BNC to RCA), and instead of just saying “go buy this adapter at Radio Shack for $1.99,” they gave me all sorts of convoluted responses like, “Oh, it’s totally easy, just buy a standard wire, strip the insulation back, separate the wires, then solder this wire to this, that wire to that, then re-coat them using melted plastic…it only takes like three hours to do, and it’ll only cost you $1.50 instead of $1.99!” My mentality is, “thanks, but I’m totally willing to spend the extra .49 to save three hours of work.” What do you call this nerdy nerddom? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/2 "2008-01-04T17:30:51Z")
[QUOTE=TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW] What do you call this nerdy nerddom? [/QUOTE] That’s known as SPEPSEWTAESOT, or Some People Enjoy Problem Solving Even When There Are Easier Solutions Out There. It’s one of those acronyms that just rolls off the tongue, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![wasson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4da419/32.png) [@wasson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wasson)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/3 "2008-01-04T17:39:27Z")
I think its called a “hobby”. I enjoy wood working. Between all the tools I’ve bought, wood, glue, and time, there’s absolutely no way I can build anything significantly less expensive than if I were to go to the store to buy it. But I enjoy doing it, and I like it when people tell me they like my coffee table and I can say “Thanks, I built it myself!” DIY culture isn’t necessarily always about doing things CHEAPER, it’s about doing them YOURSELF (hence the acronym). It’s about the pride that comes with making something. Cheaper is just a nice (occasional) side effect. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/4 "2008-01-04T17:44:13Z")
[QUOTE=wasson] I think its called a “hobby”. I enjoy wood working. Between all the tools I’ve bought, wood, glue, and time, there’s absolutely no way I can build anything significantly less expensive than if I were to go to the store to buy it. But I enjoy doing it, and I like it when people tell me they like my coffee table and I can say “Thanks, I built it myself!” DIY culture isn’t necessarily always about doing things CHEAPER, it’s about doing them YOURSELF (hence the acronym). It’s about the pride that comes with making something. Cheaper is just a nice (occasional) side effect. [/QUOTE] I agree with this, but if someone asked you to reccommend something to hold their book collection would you answer “Oh yes, run down to the lumber yard and get…” etc? Or would you point out a local furniture store or maybe offer to make them a bookshelf? ---
**Author:** ![wasson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4da419/32.png) [@wasson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wasson)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/5 "2008-01-04T17:49:11Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] I agree with this, but if someone asked you to reccommend something to hold their book collection would you answer “Oh yes, run down to the lumber yard and get…” etc? Or would you point out a local furniture store or maybe offer to make them a bookshelf? [/QUOTE] In that example, I’d obviously point them to a furniture store. However, if they were at my home and pointed to something I’d made and asked where to get something similar, I’d be pretty tempted to launch into a conversation about my woodworking hobby. That’s because I like doing it, and I take pride in my work, and I like talking about it. Perhaps what-his-name-in-the-original-post saw this guy’s home made adapter, and asked about it. Since the particular guy is into building small electronics, he launched into a conversation about it. No harm in that. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/6 "2008-01-04T18:06:26Z")
I think there’s a certain satisfaction in doing it yourself, as well as more potential to customise the final product. Some people enjoy building their own computers. For everyone else, there’s Dell. I guess I’d call it “having a hobby you enjoy”. I still think they should’ve just sent you to Radio Shack though. Even I don’t have that much of an aversion to the place. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/7 "2008-01-04T18:09:19Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] It’s one of those acronyms that just rolls off the tongue, isn’t it? [/QUOTE] Like bozos off of a bus. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/8 "2008-01-04T18:12:28Z")
We’ve always just called it being a tinkerer. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/9 "2008-01-04T18:13:26Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] That’s known as SPEPSEWTAESOT, or Some People Enjoy Problem Solving Even When There Are Easier Solutions Out There. It’s one of those acronyms that just rolls off the tongue, isn’t it? [/QUOTE] The snark is strong with this one… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/10 "2008-01-04T18:14:09Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] Like bozos off of a bus. [/QUOTE] _Snork_ - I have no idea why this amuses me so much, but it truly does. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/11 "2008-01-04T18:14:19Z")
[QUOTE=TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW] I’ve noticed a trend among geeks that I’d like a name for, if there isn’t already an accepted one. It’s basically “doing things the hard way because you have the ability to, then justifying the decision with the extremely minimal benefits gained by doing as such.” [/QUOTE] We call that one “Dad.” ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/12 "2008-01-04T18:14:37Z")
With electronics, it’s possible that they don’t realize there is a part readily avalible: when faced with a problem they know how to solve and will enjoy the process of solving it, they just start hammering away at it without going out to look and see if there is a readily avalible alternative: you’re in a middle of a project, you need a part, you have no idea if radio shack carries it or if it will be in stock–simplier (if not more efficient) to just slap it together. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/13 "2008-01-04T18:15:22Z")
I totally get it being a hobby, but I’m specifically talking about them recommending it to people that do not share the hobby. For example, I’m into building computers; I’ve built my last few from scratch, saved a ton of money in the process, and had a significantly better computer than I could have bought. But if my Mother, who knows nothing about computers and just needs to check e-mail and go online, asked me “TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW, I need a computer - where should I get one?”, I’m not going to tell her to go to NewEgg and start ordering loose parts. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/14 "2008-01-04T18:18:55Z")
As with most geek-related things, xkcd has [an appropriate comic strip](http://xkcd.com/309/). ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/15 "2008-01-04T18:28:02Z")
[QUOTE=TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW] The snark is strong with this one… 🙂 [/QUOTE] I’m just mad that your name is no longer on our Pit thread, **VCO3**. Sharing that made me feel that much closer to you. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/16 "2008-01-04T18:35:00Z")
[QUOTE=wasson] I think its called a “hobby”. I enjoy wood working. Between all the tools I’ve bought, wood, glue, and time, there’s absolutely no way I can build anything significantly less expensive than if I were to go to the store to buy it. But I enjoy doing it, and I like it when people tell me they like my coffee table and I can say “Thanks, I built it myself!” DIY culture isn’t necessarily always about doing things CHEAPER, it’s about doing them YOURSELF (hence the acronym). It’s about the pride that comes with making something. Cheaper is just a nice (occasional) side effect. [/QUOTE] When its one hobbyist to another, hobby is a good word. When its one person looking for a quick answer from a someone they see as an expert as in the OP - its called “wanker.” ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/17 "2008-01-04T20:11:12Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] I agree with this, but if someone asked you to reccommend something to hold their book collection would you answer “Oh yes, run down to the lumber yard and get…” etc? Or would you point out a local furniture store… [/QUOTE] If we’re thinking of the same furniture store, the two experiences are equivalent, only with less sawing. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/18 "2008-01-04T20:18:32Z")
[QUOTE=TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW] I’ve noticed a trend among geeks that I’d like a name for, if there isn’t already an accepted one. It’s basically “doing things the hard way because you have the ability to, then justifying the decision with the extremely minimal benefits gained by doing as such.” … What do you call this nerdy nerddom? [/QUOTE] By fortunate happenstance, this thread came right after one about the Society for Creative Anachronism. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/19 "2008-01-04T20:20:43Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] Like bozos off of a bus. [/QUOTE] Don’t forget to pump your shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284/20 "2008-01-05T01:43:02Z")
I do the described action in the OP a lot, but it’s because Radio Shack, etc. doesn’t have the adapter and I want it now. Otherwise I’d have to order it online and wait. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-for-this-geek-behavior-diy-at-minimal-savings-and-maximum-labor/432284.md?page=2)