Nerds got balls.
July 25th, 2011 | by TJ |It seems to me that the release of the final Harry Potter movie occurring around the same time as Comic-Con has created the perfect Internet storm for people to be huge ass candles.
I guess you can still expect it from TV hosts and radio DJs, the type who never fail to go for the cheapest jokes, at least. Uh huh, basement dwellers and virgins and people who need to get a life.
But you, Internet? Really? You’re making the same tired jokes about those you perceive to be nerds? I’m so disappointed by some of the stuff I’ve seen on Twitter in the past couple of weeks, and I have some points to make about it.
1. I don’t understand how the push to eliminate bullying can exist in the same sphere (I am using the word “sphere” here as a fancy way to refer to what I see on Twitter) as jokes about Harry Potter fans at midnight showings or people dressed up at Comic-Con.
Is it that it’s only that it’s not okay for CHILDREN to make fun of other CHILDREN they think are nerds?
Is it that everyone else EVER makes the same lame ass jokes, so it’s okay if you say what everyone else has been saying forever anyway?
Is it that you’re not making fun of gay/minority/overweight/disabled people, so it doesn’t count as a big deal?
Is it not bullying if it’s just you making one joke about a huge group of people? Well, probably not. But it is absolutely a perpetuation of a ridiculous and insulting attitude. One that ADULTS do not need to be modeling for tiny impressionable people.
2. What are you even saying? What’s so funny about going to a showing of Harry Potter in costume, or hanging out with a group of like-minded fans at Comic Con, or LARPing, or playing video games, or role playing games, or those card based things that I’ve never fully grasped?
Seriously, what PART of that is funny or mockable? Is it that people are having fun doing something that you don’t choose to do? Or that they’re having fun doing something that you don’t understand? Having fun in some way that hasn’t been sanctioned by mainstream media, celebrities, or that girl in your high school who decided what was cool and what wasn’t?
I think this point is best illustrated by John Green, a little ways into this video, talking about the release of a previous Harry Potter film:
Hank, when people call people nerds, mostly what they’re saying is, “You like stuff.” Which is not a good insult at all. Like, “You are too enthusiastic about the miracle of human consciousness.”
“Ha! Look at those people! Having fun! Enjoying themselves!”
Yeah, that’s kind of ridiculous.
3. To borrow a phrase I learned here on the Internet: Um, yeah, hi. This is the Internet. You’re on nerd-turf. You write blogs. You tweet. You clamor to the newest social media this or that. You connect with your friends through computer-based activities.
“Oh, but that stuff’s cool now, so it doesn’t count.”
Whatever, nerd.
Do nerds come to YOUR house and tell you how stupid and lame you are for… baking… muffins? I don’t know. This analogy fell apart. Imagine I used a good one to make my point in a killer fashion.
4. What are you trying to accomplish with that kind of joke or insult, because I can only see destructive consequences. You’re attaching shame to an activity or interest, with absolutely no justification other than “it’s nerdy.” Or you’re trying to establish superiority over a specific group of people, where nothing about you is actually superior because they’re just people.
If even one person is discouraged or embarrassed to jump into cosplay or go down to the local comic store to play Magic or whatever because of seemingly universally sanctioned mocking of “nerds,” something pretty awful has happened, I think.
In writing this disjointed absolutely senseless piece of blog crap, I’ve realized just one thing: it takes some BALLS to be an out and proud nerd, with even let’s-all-get-along, kum-bah-yah, anti-bullying, movement-of-the-moment ADULTS busting on you like some kind of easy target.
How about,
“Hey, good for you for joining a non-dangerous, non-criminal, non-asshole activity that you seem to really enjoy!”
or,
“You and your friends seem to be having a really fun time doing what you’re doing. It’s not MY thing, but I’m glad that you’ve found your people.”
Ok, there’s no real non-awkward way to compliment someone on their nerdiness, but come on. It’s equally awkward to say stuff like, “Ha! You’re having a good time! Lame!”
Also, I would like to posit that EVERYONE is a nerd about SOMETHING. So.
Anyway, nerds. Get down with your unironic bad selves. You seriously fucking rule.
Tags: comic-con, harry potter, I'd rather my kid be a nerd than an asshole, nerdfighters, nerds rule, someone's going to take personal offense to this, vlogbrothers
By Zoot on Jul 25, 2011
I’ve actually unsubscribed to snarky celebrity blogs just because I suddenly felt a disconnect from the humor there when I found myself dealing with my child and kids making fun of him. No matter how hard it is to NOT snark on Beiber (grin) how would it make his Mom feel? Because when kids snark and pick on my kid? My heart breaks.
So, yeah. I’m with you. I wish I had learned that “lesson” you write about earlier on in life, before I put my own negative energy in the world, but better late than never, right?
ALSO (Because this comment is not long enough) – I totally look at the photos from ComicCon and BURN WITH JEALOUSY because I want to be there and be dressed up. *sigh*
[Reply]
TJ Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 10:44 am
I was actually going to go on for about a thousand words more, about you and your kid and the bond you have through what many people WOULD call a nerdy activity, and how you have often said that there ARE good teenagers out there and connect that to the Vlogbrothers/Nerdfighter community and the RIDICULOUSLY astounding things they have accomplished in creativity, fundraising for charity, huge scale projects and the unabashed and unashamed glee they take in being NERDS and how I think they can easily teach a thing or two to some of these adults.
But I sensed I was about to rant and ramble. So I cut it off. And then did it in this comment instead.
[Reply]
By boomer on Jul 25, 2011
Pretty sure I was born without the capacity to enjoy Harry Potter, comic books, super hero movies, Tolkien, etc…but long ago I realized that there are some other things that I DO nerd out to. And since I wouldn’t like jokes in my direction about my nerdly ways, I figure it’s probably for the best that I adopt a live-and-let-live attitude toward the nerd stuff I don’t enjoy.
So by all means, cast spells and cosplay and pewpewpew and plank/owl. I’ll probably be late to those parties, if i even show up. But I’ll defend your right to HAVE those parties, and if there’s turntables or a BBQ at those parties that need operating, I’ll bring the records or the meat.
[Reply]
BKC Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
This comment makes me LIKE YOU. I am SO calling you to DJ my next nerdout.
[Reply]
Natalie Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Ditto.
TJ, I wish your comments had “like” buttons, because sometimes I don’t have anything good to say, but I want to thumbs-up/high-five someone. :)
[Reply]
elembee123 Reply:
July 26th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
You can always +1 them. :)
[Reply]
By SarahSpar on Jul 25, 2011
Yes! I know I’d much rather my kid be an ubernerd that stays out of trouble and not a jackass kid/teenager.
[Reply]
By Superjules on Jul 25, 2011
I just saw HP on Saturday morning and I was bouncing up and down in my seat with excitement about it. And it was so good!
I also don’t understand why it’s fine to like some movies but nerdy and dumb to like others. Like, everyone can like Inception or The Hangover or whatever but if you’re a big HP fan then you’re a nerd?
[Reply]
By Katie on Jul 25, 2011
I thought we had finally got to the point where it was COOL to be a nerd, but I think I am overly optimistic.
Aaaaaand I am clearly overly hormonal because this whole post made me cry.
And wish I didn’t have kids anymore so my husband and I could drive down and kick it at Comic-Con like we used to. Darn kids. Maybe they’ll be nerdy some day to make up for it.
[Reply]
Angie Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Mine are :) And there is great satisfaction when it’s not just your husband who’s finishing your sentences when your quoting some obscure Dr Who reference but your kids too. Or when your 20 year old is ringing home for advice on a new class he just rolled in WoW that you’ve played for years and he’s only just discovered. Or the dinner time conversation is full of the latest games, or who’s going beat who in the weekend playoffs of Settlers of Catan instead of who’s sleeping with who or how much they drank the night before. It’s ok being a nerd, whatever the rest of the world might say :)
[Reply]
By Hannah on Jul 25, 2011
science, literacy, and earnest enjoyment of things are out. binge drinking, douche-baggery, and being an insufferable prick who thinks s/he’s better than everyone else are in. great message for these a-holes to be spreading to our kids. preach it, tj.
[Reply]
Natalie Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
I went to see Harry Potter last night and this family was sitting behind us. The dad was yawning in an annoying way – you know, a long, drawn-out yawn with several separate air puffs – the son was chomping popcorn with his mouth open, and the mom and daughter were talking in normal voices AND saying the dumbest things. When Ron and Hermoine kissed, mom said “I thought she liked Harry!” When the dome of protection around Hogwarts began to fail, “Why don’t they just make another one?” and some other asinine stuff I’ve blocked out.
[Reply]
By Steve on Jul 25, 2011
Outstanding post, TJ.
[Reply]
By Linnea on Jul 25, 2011
J & I were trying to decide how to define “geek” the other day, because he had this thing on Google+ about 5 common geek-falacies or something, and he used the phrase “fanatically different” so like, really excited in a non-ironic way about something that someone else totally doesn’t understand the excitement value of. In which case, yeah, the only people who aren’t geeks (or nerds, which I tend to use interchangably) are people who don’t REALLY LIKE STUFF. You can have sports geeks and baking geeks and scrapbooking geeks (says the woman who used scrapbooking software to redesign her blog). My friends & I often talk about different “flavors” of geek, because, you know, I don’t know squack about True Blood or SYTYCD, but I love House & Bones & Doctor Who, so… yeah…
[Reply]
Natalie Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 11:14 am
See, I would understand “fanatically different” more in the connotation of something like goth… or at least the people who dress goth just for the attention (and then pretend to shun the attention). Know what I mean? I think nerds or geeks just like what they like, and are comfortable enough in themselves to not care what others think. They are maybe fanatically themselves, and if they happen to be “different”, so be it.
Soooo, I’m a word nerd, so please pardon my semantical ramblings.
[Reply]
Peregwyn Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 11:48 am
So I kind of think the difference between geeks and nerds is degree of liking and getting involved in the subject. Like the difference between Trekkies and Trekkers.
Trekkies (geeks) really like Star Trek and know the details of the episodes and stuff.
Trekkers (nerds) know the design details of each engine and can converse in Klingon.
[Reply]
Linnea Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
My husband is also a word nerd, and I made him explain it to me because I, like you, had different connotations. I am fanatical in my love for (and knowledge of trivia both useful and bizarre about) U2, but I don’t consider myself fanatically different for that, though I am a huge U2 geek. I tend to think of “a geek” as an interest rather than a person anymore. Like, I have several geeks, U2 being one of them. I’m more likely to refer to myself as a dork, honestly, than geek or nerd, and I don’t know that I could elaborate a reason for that choice either, but I’ll totally be thinking about it now.
[Reply]
Natalie Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
I would definitely classify myself as a word nerd, but could also get on board with dork. In my mind, that’s because I’m totally clumsy, without rhythm or grace of any kind. I injure myself constantly. I’m not saying you’re any of those things, but that’s me. I’m also completely un-musical (tone deaf, I think – I have actually been asked to stop singing karaoke) and I’m even envious of band nerds (see H’s comment below).
[Reply]
By Stephanie M on Jul 25, 2011
Great post. I know I’m proud to be a nerd, and I’ve preached the same thing at many a person over the years who has laughed at me for nerdy things.
[Reply]
By Nancy P` on Jul 25, 2011
AWESOME post!
[Reply]
By Kristina on Jul 25, 2011
This is so right on. It all comes down to people not giving anything that they don’t understand a chance or at least respect the fact that everyone is different. And I feel like such a tool (does anyone say tool anymore?) for even having to say that because DUH everyone IS different. I don’t understand how people cannot appreciate that. Because for everyone of those people making fun of “nerds” there is someone out there making fun of them. No one is immune and why can’t we all just appreciate our differences?
[Reply]
By Katie Mae on Jul 25, 2011
I liked this post so much! It made me re-consider the way I talk about nerds on Twitter. (“The way I talk about nerds on Twitter”, ha). I guess I figured it was ok for me to make nerd jokes since I am a career nerd myself? But no, it is not very nice. You did a teachable moment on me, TJ, and I liked it.
[Reply]
By Meg on Jul 25, 2011
This post is awesome. Thank you!
My husband and I went to Connecticon (a Connecticut-based, MUCH smaller and cheaper version of Comic-Con). We had a blast. A few days later, one of our friends uploaded a video from a local news station. The broadcasters had deliberately set out to make the con attendees look like socially-inept morons who were incapable of forming a complete sentence and foamed at the mouth at the words “anime” or “Portal 2″. It was really terrible coverage, and it made me mad. OF COURSE it’s okay to make fun of the video-gamers and the anime buffs. They’re easy targets.
[Reply]
By MunchkinNNC on Jul 25, 2011
I completely agree with this post, but I will say one thing about events like Comic-Con and Animazement: I do not approve of a good number of the people who attend those. I don’t make fun of them because I really do enjoy it as well, I simply do not agree with what some of them are doing. In my area, my high school friends went to these things and years later still do, but they often do it for reasons relating to satisfying sexual fantasies. Many of the girls go scantily clad. People dress up as “Pedo Bear”. It’s not appropriate because there are also parents who take their small children. Children who want to dress up as characters they idolize. I’m not saying they all do it, I’m just saying that based off of my experience, the conventions in my area are not appropriate. Otherwise, they are generally good fun. Who the hell are we to mock people and look down on them simply because they like something we do not. So ridiculous!! Thank you for that TJ!!
[Reply]
By Cayt on Jul 25, 2011
I dressed up for Harry Potter. I wore Ravenclaw uniform and a cloak (I love my cloak). I also do pencil and paper role playing frequently. I do this stuff because it makes me happy. I don’t understand why people want other people to stop doing stuff that makes them happy.
[Reply]
By drhoctor2 on Jul 25, 2011
Oh, excellent points, TJ, really. I’ve been “mocked” for reading. Like , MOCKED for reading books..while I’m fairly unbullyable, it was annoying and I couldn’t help but think that ppl were trying to assert superiority over me because they were illiterate ? Yeah, didn’t get it. Have good sarcastic “shut up ” come backs stored up for that. Yes, it still happens.
I and all my kids are “nerds” if we define nerds as people intensely involved in hobbies/interests they care about, none of us are socially deficient in any way …It’s the same stupid high school smart ppl are socially inept cliche.
You are spot on about the bullying aspect. SPOT ON.
[Reply]
By H on Jul 25, 2011
I am a different kind of nerd (band!) and when I was younger (and still in band), I struggled with the label. I often tried to explain why band was fun and how it felt to get chills during when we played certain pieces in college (where I met more band nerds than I thought existed on the entire planet.) My explanations generally fell on deaf ears, sadly.
It is amazing how many adults are bullies and intolerant of differences. When I hear criticism like that, my response is that I am so glad there is variety because the world would be so dull if we were all the same.
[Reply]
By BKC on Jul 25, 2011
It’s pervasive, isn’t it? This nerd-bashing. On opening weekend of HP, my friend and I realized we were making fun of OURSELVES: “God, we’re such dorks, why are we here so early,” etc. I finally asked her, “Were we ever cool enough that it would DIMINISH our social standing to be seen going nuts for Harry Potter?” She conceded that no, we never were, and also, WE ARE OLD NOW. Who’s watching? And do we care?
I nerd out for something that’s now fairly unconventional (square dancing) and am annoyed at myself that I still feel like it needs defending or apologies. Dammit, it’s fun. And that should be enough for me and anybody else.
[Reply]
By shannon on Jul 25, 2011
Dig this post. But also, what does it say about someone that they have the time, energy, and will to sit around MAKING FUN of other people? In my experience, that kind of behavior rarely (never!) evidences someone caught up in their own happy life. I’m just saying, look in the mirror already, people.
Your post also makes me realize that some of my recent thinking about my own child (14 months old) is really about cultivating his “nerdiness.” It’s probably a bit premature, but I have been looking into science, craft, and art projects/experiments to encourage him to explore himself and the world around him. Right now he mostly wants to bang blocks (or crayons or crackers or pretty much anything he can get his hands on) together. But maybe someday we can parlay that into an interest in physics? :)
I would love it if my kid was a “nerd.” Not so much because I’d rather him be a nerd than a behavior problem (although not having behavior problems is obviously a plus), but because: how can you not get excited about your kid (or for me really ANY kid) being interested in and excited about something?
[Reply]
By Chaninn on Jul 25, 2011
Excellent post!
I just wish that more people felt like this.
At least now it is easier to find like-minded people than it was even 15 to 20 years ago. Back then there were no social networks or internet for sharing our geekhood/nerdiness. Most nerds that I knew hid their preferences so they could appear “normal” at school/work and avoid the typical bullying.
[Reply]
By Dorothy&TheMunchkins on Jul 25, 2011
Yay! Fellow nerds/geeks/whatever-you-wanna-call-us unite! I’m in my mid-thirties, and my husband and I still play D&D (thank goodness for Skype and webcams that allow us to game with friends across the country and not have to get a babysitter). We’re into board games, card games, and just about any other type of nerdy thing you can think of. And we came to the conclusion when we were in college that we JUST DON’T CARE what other people want to say about it.
I never did figure out why it was cool to go get stinking drunk (and make an utter fool of yourself, get in a wreck hurting yourself or others, or make a decision about having sex that you regret minutes later) and so taboo to do something that involves…gasp…your BRAIN.
[Reply]
By Tara on Jul 25, 2011
Yes x 1,000,000,000! I mean. How is going to a movie in costume ANY different than wearing a team jersey to a sporting event? Um. Really. Nerd power! :)
[Reply]
Natalie Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
OK, I don’t know why I’m replying to every comment, but have you seen that commercial where those guys are painting their chests for an LSU game and the one guy says “OK, lift” and the guy lifts his man boobs (by the nipples, no less) so the guy can paint the undersides? It slays me.
[Reply]
Linnea Reply:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
OH! I just saw that commercial for the first time at lunch the other day and nearly had an entire chicken wing come OUT MY NOSE I laughed so hard!
[Reply]
By rsngphoenix8 on Jul 25, 2011
I love how Google Reader always says that there are 10 comments on your posts and when I click the link to your blog it’s more like 45!
I wish I had had Nerdfighteria when I was a teen. It’s full of so many wonderful people that aren’t getting caught up in things that are supposed to be our “culture” (uber-materialism, status, being a size 2, getting wasted to have fun). I went to HP8 the day before it was released and was so happy to be around people who loved the books as much as I do and struck up a couple of conversations–which is unusual for me because I’m seriously introverted.
[Reply]
By Meredith on Jul 25, 2011
Okay, you are going to love me in .2 seconds. Brittany Gibbons (@barefootfoodie) and I are going with our husbands (who are playing in it) to Gen-Con. We have press passes. We are going to interview women there and do a piece for Curvy Girl Guide on women in gaming. But mainly, we wanted to dress up and get drunk with people in Harry Potter costumes.
[Reply]
By EmilysHollow on Jul 25, 2011
Oh, man, I love this. One, because I am a total nerd and have dressed up for midnight showings of Harry Potter (yes, plural) and I don’t give a shit what people think of it. Even though I used to live in San Diego, I’ve never been to ComiCon, but I don’t think I’d find it odd for adults to dress up there, either. IT’S FUN.
God.
And two because yeah, it’s mean. Sure, I snark on things in my own home and to people I know won’t be hurt/offended. But it’s mean and hateful and discriminitory and all sorts of other stuff. I also used to live in Alabama and I heard SO MANY TIMES how all southerners are 1) rascist, 2) stupid, 3) both. Like it’s any better to stereotype against racism? WTF? What is it OK to lump ANY “group” of people together for the sole purpose of making fun of them or talking them down?
It’s like Dinner for Schmucks, or whatever that Paul Rudd/Steve Carell thing was. Those “idiots” were aweosme. SO THERE.
[Reply]
By Staciepo on Jul 25, 2011
I was a proud band nerd/geek in HS and it was the best time I ever had. It was like having a family, I was friends with older and younger students and I always had a place to kill time and pick up a card game after school. Plus, there were plenty of kick a** trips in the deal!
Now, a proud Harry Potter and Twilight addict, I love plowing through a new book, sharing a meal, playing trivia and generally spending time with awesome, smart, well-read women as we wait/share for the latest book/movie. Love this post and I scoff when people give a nerds a bad connotation. I love being a nerd and being passionate about the things I love!
[Reply]
By gingerest on Jul 25, 2011
Oh, I dunno. I’m a pretty giant nerd (RPGs, cons and cosplay, an urge to sniff “it’s SF, not scifi, donchaknow”, multiple library cards) but I take no little pleasure in the sense I’m in on the secret awesome that the greater culture dismisses. Nevermind that if you can pull together thousands of people in a conference centre to celebrate it, there’s no real secret there – as long as there are people who are horrified at my hobbies, I can still pretend they’re arcane.
I guess I’m saying that of course it’s no good to inculcate kids with prejudice, it’s no good to mock youngsters for their enthusiasm, but it’s not hurting me to be mocked as a geek or a nerd. Sexism in the nerd community and in science, my professional context, causes me a lot more distress. Which is not by any means to say that your distress is unwarranted, but to say that if it’s any comfort, some of us who are being made fun of are unscathed.
[Reply]
By Mugician13 on Jul 25, 2011
TJ, you raise an excellent point. Just for the sake of discussion, though, lemme spin things this way, …
First, as has been said, EVERYONE is a nerd about something. I’m a nerd, a geek, a dork… whatever you want to call it. I was in band in HS, played D&D, currently play WoW as a 37-year-old scrawny single male, I read the Game of Thrones series long before the HBO special was even concieved of, etc. And yeah, I’ve gotten crap about it. Thing is? For myself, and I suspect for a lot of others, I’m bloody well PROUD of the fact that I’m not like everyone else, and I don’t feel I have to justify the things I enjoy to anyone else. If someone is curious about my oddball interests, I’m happy to explain. If someone wants to deride me for them, my response is [and has been since mid-high school] somewhere in the neighborhood of a raised middle finger.
On the subject of bullying: I feel too much has been made of the negative effects, the Politically Correct engine has gone into overdrive. “Oh, their poor egoes are just simply tooooo fragile to be made fun of….” Yeah, right. *eyeroll* Please note, I’m not talking about when it crosses the line into physical harm, because then someone in authority should definitely step in. I’m just saying, EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THIS PLANET was made fun of for something, growing up. You’re too short, you’re too tall, you’re too skinny, you’re too fat, you’re a different color, your nose is too big, you sweat too much, you can’t pronounce the letter “S” correctly… whatever. We’re all different, and kids pick on differences. It’s what they DO. It’s what we all still do, to lesser or greater degrees. We mock what we don’t understand. It’s human nature. And when done correctly, it’s funny as hell. [Granted, I have a twisted sense of humor, and a lot of what I find funny is completely tasteless and wrong... but it's often in large part BECAUSE I know it's tasteless and wrong that I find it funny.] I enjoy a good laugh, even if it’s at my own expense.
TL;DR: Grow a thick skin, celebrate what makes you unique, and teach your offspring to do the same.
[Reply]
By Erica on Jul 25, 2011
I am a nerd, married to another nerd, raising our two nerd kids. We’re proud to be nerds and bringing more nerds to the herd. I never feel bad about my nerdiness and I’ll punch anyone who makes fun of it right in the neck.
[Reply]
By Beth on Jul 25, 2011
I am a nerd. My husband is a nerd. We are raising three little nerdlets. I like being a nerd, nerds have communities of other nerds who understand the passion of the nerd. That’s what a nerd is really- someone who is passionate about something.
[Reply]
By Veronica on Jul 25, 2011
I just wanted to say how much I love this post. LOVE.
[Reply]
By Miss Grace on Jul 25, 2011
I thought being a nerd was cool now. That nerdiness was like, embraced, as awesomeness. Did my mother lie to me?
Seriously, everyone: Don’t be an asshole. THAT’S YOUR ONLY JOB.
[Reply]
By Lara on Jul 25, 2011
I love this. What bugs me about this kind of making fun of others (whatever you want to call it) – and I’m probably not going to be able to word this quite correctly – is when someone is all “haHA WoW nerd” or “haHA ComicCon nerd” in a derogatory way but then goes on how *they* only like this obscure band “no one has heard of” or they only liked Band X UNTIL the rest of the world found out about them.
Soooo, you’re saying if someone likes something a bit obscure or a bit non-mainstream, they’re a “make fun of the nerd NERD” but if YOU like obscure Band X, you’re…cool nerdy? Ooookay, wiener.
Also, I made a similar muffin analogy the other day about gardening. My mom LOVES gardening and she’s good at it. No one calls her a gardening nerd. But I’m a nerd for liking the internet and jumping all over new tech things, etc. Um, yeah, hi, not only do I enjoy it, I’ve made a career out of it.
Nerds are the best.
[Reply]
By Lara on Jul 25, 2011
Also, I just subscribed to your daughter’s tumblr feed. Most non-nerds don’t even know what I just said.
[Reply]
By Karen Sugarpants on Jul 25, 2011
I’m a nerd about Coldplay. That is about the worst kind of nerdiness around, I’m sure. Because I’ve never seen anyone say they liked Coldplay in the last what? 4 years?
You’re right, we are all nerds about something!
[Reply]
By Alysha on Jul 25, 2011
It makes VERY LITTLE SENSE to me that things like Harry Potter and Star Wars are categorised as ‘nerdy’, considering they are the highest grossing franchises of all time (OF ALL TIME). So when did being nerdy turn into enjoying something that’s ‘mainstream’?
Maybe I just have obnoxiously high self-esteem, but I have never found a problem with being a nerd (and I am a HUGE one). All the teasing, bullying etc. always went straight over my head, and I’ve never blinked an eye at it. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that I’ve found ‘my people’, and as long as I have likeminded friends, people can point and laugh all they want and I couldn’t care less. I proudly display my cosplay and ‘nerdy’ stuff all over facebook/twitter/real life, and we should all feel comfortable doing that!
So stay strong, nerds! WE are the cool people!
[Reply]
Alysha Reply:
July 26th, 2011 at 12:23 am
In saying that, I don’t tend to label anything I do as ‘nerdy’, maybe because the word still has that negative connotation to it, when in truth, dressing up for movie premieres etc is an extremely positive experience!
[Reply]
By Tempest on Jul 26, 2011
Reminds me of how people treated Dungeons and Dragons like it was the devil’s game in the — what was it? 70′s? 80′s?
Either way, grandma still believed those stories, so when I told her I was going to a friend’s house to play D&D, she got very worried. It just boggles me how much adults fear/hate what we don’t understand.
[Reply]
By Brinar on Jul 26, 2011
Linked, upvoted, adored, loved, fowarded, relinked, and adored yet again. Thank you. Thank you!
[Reply]
By Nerdmomma on Jul 28, 2011
This is something I think about a lot. I have reached the time in my life where I’m proud to be a nerd, but for much of my growing up years this was a difficult thing. The hard part is that I know my kids will be nerds too (they quote Star Wars and Harry Potter and know what DFTBA stands for) and I can only hope that they will be able to live in a world where being nerdy doesn’t mean being taunted and ridiculed, but I’m not holding my breath.
[Reply]
By TChica on Jul 28, 2011
Absofuckinglutely.
Also, I found your blog via one of John’s videos. The video in this post is what got me following John & Hank in the first place a couple of years ago. I don’t really have a point, just thought it was funny.
[Reply]