> You certainly get a huge kick out of learning new things, but becoming smarter is not a goal.
I think it's clear that you're using a different definition of smart than pg, because the way he uses it that quote is a nothing more than a contradiction.
It is a goal, in some fashion. I don't think geeks are after the smart badge per-se, but most are after proficiency at whatever they create and that is another definition of smart.
> Nerds [...] want to be popular, certainly, but they want even more to be smart.
I don't know a single nerd who wants to be smart. You certainly get a huge kick out of learning new things, but becoming smarter is not a goal.