What makes a nerd?

[Danno]

It's pretty easy to point out "Nerd" and "Not nerd", but what is it that makes a person a nerd? razz Is it the way they dress? Their weight? Glasses? Pimples? Hair? Pasty white skin? The way they look, or the way they act? Some kind of combination?  

[MrBobVilla]

I think its actually an obsession to a specific topic. I think you are a nerd if you can quote strange inane facts about a given topic that you have a real passion for. And it's not just about random facts, its more about understanding the topic well and wanting to know more about it, actually enjoying learning about it.  

[Danno]

So suppose someone is like that with, say, basketball. Does that make them a 'basketball nerd'?  

[MrBobVilla]

Oh I definitally think it does. You start ranting off basketball statistics at the top of your head and you are sooo a basketball nerd. 3nodding  

[psychotic__Gal]

Actually I hate all steriotypes... including the "nerd" one. People shouldn't be boxed into a stereotype just because of their appearance, personality, or interests... It's just wrong. I mean, you can totally think someone is a major nerd but you don't really know them. You don't know what goes on in their heads. There is no way you can. Plus, I think people can be more than one stereotype, which defeats the purpose of a stereotype anyway.

...I've been called a "dumb blond" too many times... lol...

Sorry that this is so... *searches for word* well, I don't know...  

[Danno]

MrBobVilla

Oh I definitally think it does. You start ranting off basketball statistics at the top of your head and you are sooo a basketball nerd. 3nodding

Loads of people know all sorts of useless statistics and player names for a bunch of sports, and they don't get ridiculed at all, whereas someone who watches a lot of anime and plays a lot of video games could be looked down upon, or even teased. Where is line drawn?  

[MrBobVilla]

Or they are all nerds. Just idiots don't realize it when they are younger. I think this is somthing that definitally changes with age. At my age being a nerd is almost a status symbol. Even lots of girls look for nerds to date. It means the guy is smart, dedicated, probably loyal, and will someday have a good job.  

[engineer-of-doom]

psychotic__Gal

Actually I hate all steriotypes... including the "nerd" one. People shouldn't be boxed into a stereotype just because of their appearance, personality, or interests... It's just wrong. I mean, you can totally think someone is a major nerd but you don't really know them. You don't know what goes on in their heads. There is no way you can. Plus, I think people can be more than one stereotype, which defeats the purpose of a stereotype anyway.

...I've been called a "dumb blond" too many times... lol...

Sorry that this is so... *searches for word* well, I don't know...

Perfect. ROFL. I love a person with a sense of humor, especially a subtle one. Good one... Psych!  

[Nycko]

Nerds are worst than Geeks. lol.  

[MrBobVilla]

How so?  

[Danno]

What's the difference between a 'nerd' and a 'geek'?

MrBobVilla

Or they are all nerds. Just idiots don't realize it when they are younger. I think this is somthing that definitally changes with age. At my age being a nerd is almost a status symbol. Even lots of girls look for nerds to date. It means the guy is smart, dedicated, probably loyal, and will someday have a good job.

Well, that may be all fine and dandy where you live, but where I live, people are idiots. Many of the people around my school have the intelligence of a 7 year old. They think someone farting is hilarious, hitting 'nerds' on the back of the head with rolled up university pamphlets in the dark is even better than farting noises, and illiteracy is A-OK! The morons I deal with can't even read a sentence from a book without stuttering, asking the teacher "How do I say this word?" and having the teacher reply with how the word is said because pronouncing words is oh so difficult. And it's not that these people don't like reading aloud around others, it's that they actually do not know how to read these words. And aren't they just the kings and queens of humour when they make their unnecessary 'jokes' when they see a few 'nerds' hanging out. Comments like "Greetings, Earthlings" and "Oh, it's just some nerds". These people are too stupid to realize that not all 'nerds' are obsessed with outerspace and Star Trek. I'll bet they don't even know why the label others as nerds. They have no clue what they're talking about, yet they continue their little 'act' as if they do.
In summary, people are idiots.

These peoples' age group is 14-18, isn't it about time they acted their age?  

[gimme_chocolate]

MrBobVilla

I think its actually an obsession to a specific topic. I think you are a nerd if you can quote strange inane facts about a given topic that you have a real passion for. And it's not just about random facts, its more about understanding the topic well and wanting to know more about it, actually enjoying learning about it.

I think this is a very good way of looking at it, and it's also probably why I think nerds are so cool. I respect passion for things smile

I would hate to live around the people you describe, DannoP. cry They do sound like idiots.
(And I like your avatar, btw)  

[Danno]

I wonder if anyone would want to live around these idiots... aside from themselves. But what's life without conflict... confused  

[MrBobVilla]

Well eventually if you are smart you will go off to college somewhere and you wont have as many problems.  

[Kekma]

MrBobVilla

Or they are all nerds. Just idiots don't realize it when they are younger. I think this is somthing that definitally changes with age. At my age being a nerd is almost a status symbol. Even lots of girls look for nerds to date. It means the guy is smart, dedicated, probably loyal, and will someday have a good job.

So compleatly true!