Nerds.

[jewpinthethird]

So, I am giving a presentation on the "Myth of American Nerds." (note: The Classes is Myth and Legends -of the Hidden Temple-. Myth is not used in it's typical definition.)

Basically, the project is about Stereotype v. Fact.

Knowing that all of you, like myself, are nerds, I'd like to here your input on what it means to be a nerd. (note: For the sake of simplicity, Geek and Nerd carry the same meaning.)

[Tank101]

In my opinion, a nerd could be defined as someone who spends their time doing things and playing games that require a lot more brains or strategy than physical skill; and also isn't as socially popular as most people.

Of course the stereotypes are glasses (held together by tape usually), tucked in shirt, pocket protecter (do people still make those things?), loves math and school in general, plays Dungeons and Dragons, etc. etc.

[GuidoHunter]

Someone who gets REALLY excited about little or technical things, such as computer hardware, calculators, and Bénard-Zhabotinsky reactions.

:: points at self for last two::

EDIT: **** emoticons.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[Squeek]

A nerd is just someone who excels in a certain subject others would find to be a waste of time.

The stereotype is:

Anime: Gundam
Games: D&D
Movie: Star Wars
TV: Star Trek

And so on.

~Squeek

[FishFishRevolution]

Lack of social skills.

[Tasuke]

A nerd is, very generally and in my opinion, a smart person who is regularly finding themselves as a misfit due to their intelligence. And while it isn't always because of their intelligence, it can be related to anything involving computers, robots, electronics, certain video games, table-top gamin, occasionally arcades, and so on.

For instance, I am a nerd because I'm smarter than pretty much all the students in my math class, which I enjoy, and will regulalry ask the teachers questions that are slightly related to the lesson at hand and goes over most other students heads. Where as, my friend who regulalry watches any Sci-Fi movie that is on and regularly quotes "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" for everyday situations. Is often found reading sci-fi and fantasy novels during lesson an' so on. We are both nerds but in different degrees. I, personally, would classify my friend as a geek, but since they're practically the same thing, it doesn't matter.

[evilbutterfly]

Smart when it comes to school but retarded when it comes to common sense and people skills.

Personally, I think "nerd" is an overused term for just one type of nerd. I think a nerd is anybody who is highly interested in a particular field. Lots of us are computer nerds or video game nerds. I think people who obsess about sports statistics are sports nerds. Of course, sports nerds and car nerds tend to be more socially accepted for some reason. I think this is quite unfair. =(

[Moogy]

A nerd is someone who posts on forums about online Dance Dance Revolution simulators.

oh snap

Also I know way more about video games than anyone else on this entire site.

[vashthestampede0987]

Being Asian. -_-

[Afrobean]

Originally Posted by Moogy

A nerd is someone who posts on forums about online Dance Dance Revolution simulators.

oh snap

Also I know way more about video games than anyone else on this entire site.

So you're the biggest nerd in this pool of giant nerds?

Is that something to be proud of?

[TheRaiRaiEatsBalloons]

Originally Posted by Afrobean

Is that something to be proud of?

Sure, just like idiot football players are proud of being the star of their high school team, except better because he's proud of being intelligent rather than being proud of being a worthless jock-strap-sniffing fagnoid.

[lord_carbo]

Originally Posted by TheRaiRaiEatsBalloons

he's proud of being intelligent

I thought we were talking about Moogy.

Oh and don't forget to say that not all nerds like sci-fi or fantasy, despite the stereotype. I personally hate sci-fi nine times out of ten. Especially Star Trek and Star Wars.

[Tokzic]

The stereotype has been summarized already.

I find it funny because I oppose it in every way, and yet I am a nerd.

[sertman]

I'm probably a sports nerd and a video game nerd.

The reason why sports nerds are more socially accepted is because sports are competition that appeals to the majority of the society. It's a major social gathering and is usually a conversation starter or a talking point that people like myself can go hours talking about. It's also very easy to segway into. Most people can find common ground when it comes to sports, while with video games, anime, or other stereotypical "nerd" activities, it's very difficult to find people who share the specific cartoon, game, or whatnot that you enjoy, unless you go looking for people (internet forums, cons, etc)

[heyhey11]

if you know of this site and come more than 3 times a year you are a nerd

[mattyohh]

i was once a nerd but then i got lazy. So i fell into the 'loser' Category, but these days im considered a 'emo ***' who is also becoming nerdy cause i got a A on my maths exam.

[jewpinthethird]

Aight. Cool.

I was planning on handing out a "nerd test." So, I'd like to hear what kinds of questions you all would like to see on the test that only nerds would know about.

[TheRaiRaiEatsBalloons]

Make sure you don't forget the obligatory semi-vague Star Wars referance.

[scorpio1690]

"These are not the droids you are looking for"

I categorize nerd as someone who spends more than four hours on the computer per day. People don't really know I'm a nerd at school cause I don't go around flaunting it or talking about it cause it's just a small part of who I am. A nerd is someone who knows how to use a torrent downloader such as TorrentStorm or BitTorrent and downloads gigabytes at a time. Someone who has complete series of television shows on their computer. More movies on their computer than in real life.

[mattyohh]

wouldn't that make you a Movie Nerd or Movie Buff then?

-Edited for my pathetic atempt at spelling.