What is a nerd, exactly? Well, in this post I will attempt to explain it and also attempt to explain why nerds do what they do.
My definition of a nerd results from 20 parts self-reflection, 40 parts high school observation, 30 parts online community observation (mostly digg), and 10 parts just making stuff up. Keep in mind that this includes zero parts independent research or any attempt to read a book or other scholarly work on the subject even though there are many.
Nerds tend to be in the outer rim socially. They don't possess the natural ability to understand what is "cool", that is, what the right thing to say is and when to say it, how to dress, and a number of other things - I think you get the point. However, unbeknownst to those not in nerdland, most nerds actually know that they don't have these traits which is why they tend not to show up to social events and get really nervous when they talk to cute girls. Nerds tend to distrust authority and the status quo. Just look at the presidential candidates everyone in Silicon Valley and on Digg seem to be going gaga over... first it was Ron Paul, and now it is Barack Hussein Ubama. (Now, Barack Hussein Obama isn't necessarily outside of the status quo, but he certainly has all those fools convinced). Both these candidates are seen as "different" and as individuals that will "bring about change." Because of their general disdain for the status quo, nerds recognize bullshit very fast. This probably explains why they hate politicians in general.
Nerds tend to be attracted to fantasy. This can take many forms such as a strong like for video games, subjects such as Star Wars and Star Trek, science fiction novels and a number of other things. Nerds don't have the ability to win by force or social grace, so they are naturally drawn to subjects that neutralize these qualities. It is a way for them to live/dream in a world where technology and other things such as the Force, superweapons, or expert computer skills allow them to be the dominant species.
Nerds can be cool. The one things that nerds don't understand is that all they need to do to be accepted by others is to admit who they are and be ok with it. When I was in grade school, I was embarrassed to be in Boy Scouts. I thought it was the nerdiest thing in the world and didn't want anyone to find out. Once I got to high school and achieved the rank of Eagle, I realized that everyone thought it was cool and that they wished they learned all that I had. Nerds tend to be more intelligent and this often leads to higher paying careers - women don't want to admit it, but a man's ability to provide makes them incredibly attractive. All those ugly male billionaires don't have ugly wives - case in point. Nerds' careers tend to be more interesting as well. Think about it. The cool guy that ends up being a financial adviser or insurance salesman can't really go home and talk to his family or friends about the sweet things he did on the job. A nerd can go home and talk about the code he's laying for Microsoft, and how it will completely change everyone's life in the next 10 years. Honestly, whether you care about computers or technology at all, that's much more interesting than listening to some former homecoming king rant about insurance claims or commodity prices. When the conversation at the bar gets to work, who has the better story to tell?
Nerds enjoy online communities. Nerds frequent online forums and sites like Digg because nobody knows or cares what they looks like or how hot their girlfriends are or any of that stuff. These nerds only care about what you type in. When a nerd heads off to lunch period with messed up hair and wrinkled pants nobody will listen to him no matter how profound of a comment he might contribute. Online communities are a great way to avoid such frustration.
These are just a few thoughts. I'd be interested to know what you all think.
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9 comments:
check out this article guys. this goes to anyone who reads this. it is hilarious!!!!!
http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-raucous0409.artapr09,0,4487735.story
what exactly do you mean, "Psychology of a Douche"
I was a nerd in high school and I'm still a nerd. People like me, though, because I get things done. I'm also smart. I've learned over the years to be social, so I can go out in public and not embarrass my kids too badly. Nerds are valuable to society. Long live nerds! (We always use apostrophes correctly!)
Joe,
Boy Scouts are not nerds. They are dorks. This is the kind of flaw that will turn off your readers and negatively influence your google diagnostics report. Imagine if I were a dork, and I saw a blog post about boy scouts, and then I read your blog and saw that I was labeled a nerd. I would be irate. You're killing your father Larry.
Boy Scouts, whether nerds or dorks, are exactly the kind of guys I'd like my daughters to marry. They know how to be prepared for any emergency, have a good time, cook, and wash dishes afterwards.
This from a mother of 3 girls....
" ... women don't want to admit it, but a man's ability to provide makes them incredibly attractive."
Uh - no.
Women make their own money. Sorry to ruin your fantasy, but a man's character and integrity mean a lot more than his paycheck.
Also - as long as BSA remain a private organization able to practice bigotry, hatred, and discrimination without social or legal consequences there is only one word necessary to describe them:
WRONG
Thanks for leaving a comment. Perhaps both of us are guilty of an over-generalization. I should have said "most women" don't want to admit it. You say that women want to make their own money. It is true that more do these days, but that is not what I referred to. Most non-feminist women are attracted to a strong leader in a man and this usually includes being the main provider. Of course, there will be exceptions.
And, about the Boy Scouts. Your comment is completely false. There WERE serious legal and social consequences when the Boy Scouts decided to dismiss an openly gay scoutmaster. The former scoutmaster sued the BSA (legal consequence). The Boy Scouts received negative press all over the world for this decision including ALL of the major media outlets. The United Way, a long time supporter of the Boy Scouts, pulled funding and the use of their facilities as did a number of other private organizations (social consequence). The beauty of America is that private organizations can make their own value judgements without the government telling them what they should believe. I salute the Boy Scouts for standing up for what they believe in. I salute the United Way and other private social organizations for exercising their right as PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS to display their disagreement with the Boy Scouts (and thus deal out a social consequence). If you believe that the Boy Scouts practices bigotry, hatred, and discrimination (the bad kind), then that is your opinion. The Boy Scouts (and I) contend that they are doing no such thing. It's fine to disagree, but if you want the government to come in and start telling organizations and people what to believe, then your opinion reeks of Orwellianism.
Lastly, I found your blog interesting. I will add it to my blog subscriptions.
Leave Orwell out of this. It doesn't reek of "Orwellianism", which is utter nonsense- it reeks of self-righteousness. Anyone who thinks private organizations practicing their own beliefs and values shouldn't exist or should be beholden to the federal government is a totalitarian. No need to sully Orwell's good name by a lazy association between 1984 and her response.
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