Nerds; They like Stuff-- Jessica Lucy

Nerds; They like Stuff


Society has come to acknowledge stereotypes in a judgmental light; they are seen as detrimental and shallow. But yet this name calling proceeds. Many of these labels come from the physical appearance of a person, and their actions. A majority of the time these titles are negative—but should they be? Are there not positive typecasts? Could a once derogatory term become embracing, focusing on the actions of people instead of their looks? A classic example of this is the nerd. Often judging people by their appearances and keenness to obsess over knowledge, the term nerd has become harshly derogatory. A nerd is a person who is enthusiastic about life, its many subparts, and does not necessarily wear glasses, is antisocial, is good at classically intellectual subjects such as mathematics, or loves all things science fiction.

This definition of the term nerd is much more specific and realistic than the pre-existing definition. The Oxford English Dictionary defines nerd as such: “a foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious.” With this definition, the word nerd is given a negative connotation it does not deserve. Nerds like things, and are excited about them. This does not make them foolish, and if it does why is that contemptible? How can someone be both showing a lack of good sense and be boringly studious? The definition contradicts itself by trying to include all negative aspects in one definition. Are nerds stereotyped as smart or unwise?
The new definition presented above fully explains what it means when calling someone a nerd.

New York Times bestselling author John Green once said in his video blogs:
“Saying 'I notice you're a nerd' is like saying, 'Hey, I notice that you'd rather be intelligent than be stupid, that you'd rather be thoughtful than be vapid, that you believe that there are things that matter more than the arrest record of Lindsay Lohan. Why is that?'… Nerds are allowed to be unironically enthusiastic about stuff… Nerds are allowed to love stuff, like jump-up-and-down-in-the-chair-can’t-control-yourself love it. When people call people nerds, mostly what they’re saying is ‘you like stuff.’ Which is just not a good insult at all. Like, ‘you are too enthusiastic about the miracle of human consciousness’. The definition of nerd now gives it a negative connotation. This encourages people into not wanting to be nerds, not wanting to be “unironically enthusiastic” or genuinely care for others that society might perceive as different. Being a nerd is not a bad thing. It has evolved into an insult in today’s society; no one wants to hear “You are a nerd!” This is entirely inappropriate. The word nerd needs to be reappropriated to no longer include the stereotype of a nerd, but instead the actual person that is a nerd.

One of the main physical attributes that leads a person to calling another a nerd is the fact that the ‘nerd’ is wearing glasses. This logic is entirely flawed. Wearing glasses does not make a person a nerd. Sure, a nerd can wear glasses but one does not need to wear glasses to be a nerd. This stereotype has gone so far as becoming a fashion statement. ‘I love nerds’ shirts are available everywhere in stores nowadays. They depict a glasses wearing smiley face with a large bowtie. Buddy Holly wore bowties and glasses. The 11th Doctor of the BBC television series Doctor Who wears bowties and occasionally glasses. John Lennon wore glasses that became as much a symbol of him as The Beatles did. Wearing glasses improves a person’s vision—that is all. For some it is uncomfortable to wear contacts, or they cannot wear contacts due to medical conditions, leaving glasses as an entirely possible solution. People who argue that nerds wear glasses are correct to some extent though. There are many people who consider themselves nerds and wear glasses. This stereotype possibly arose from the chain of thought that those who wear glasses read, and those who read are nerds. Once again, this logic is flawed. Some nerds read, some do not, and some people who are not nerds read as well. It is a universal pastime that entertains and educates. Many arguments based off of physical looks are incorrect because they are all inclusive, and do not look at a person as a person, but instead something to be judged and labeled.

Another assumption made by the traditional definition of nerd is that nerds are antisocial, and are awkward to be around. This is incorrect because nerds are friends with other nerds. The definition of antisocial is thus; “not sociable, not wanting the company of others” (Antisocial). Nerds want the company of other nerds who share their zeal for common interests— thus the existence of Comic-Con. People who believe that nerds are antisocial are under the notion that because nerds do not like the same thing society has deemed cool, they must not like anything or anyone. Nerds like things, a lot. They improve pre-existing ideas and are unafraid to talk about how excited they are for things. Just because people like something different, is not a reason to call someone antisocial. Antisocial people are simply antisocial. They do not need to be categorized into stereotypes. Stereotypes really do not need to exist; the human race does not consist of people that can be funneled into already formulated ideas and attitudes. Diversity is a good thing. There should be nerds, antisocials, and people who unnecessarily call them nerds and antisocials. Implied characteristics are very rarely needed when meeting people, most people have their own individual characteristics.

The first attribute that people accredit to nerds is their intellectual capability. Society likes to confuse intelligence with genuine attributes. Just because someone likes to do math does not mean they are ‘smart.’ It means they like solving problems with exact answers. This logic also transfers over to nerds. One does not need to be good at math to be a nerd. There are two sides of the brain—the left side and the right side. Typically nerds are associated with the left side of the brain, analytical and logical, instead of the right side of the brain, creative and visual. With this mindset, people limit nerds to being good at mathematics and science. Anyone can be a nerd. People who love to read and imagine are often called nerds, and they most likely think primarily with the right side of their brain. The new definition of nerd describes all of these people as one on their common aspect; they are enjoying what they do, whether it is literature or computer science.

A common link between all nerd is their unabashed love of something. And many times, that something is science fiction. Now, a nerd does not need to love science fiction and/or fantasy. A nerd simply needs to be “unironically enthusiastic” about something, but more often than not, a nerd will love something fiction related. In this aspect, the stereotypes are right. Nerds love science fiction. It is the reason that literary classics such as Pride and Prejudice became Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It is the reason Harry Potter became the most profitable franchise of all time. It is the reason there are entire wedding ceremonies done in Klingon. Nerds do not need to love everything science fiction/fantasy though. They chose what they like; it is part of the “miracle of human consciousness.”

The term nerd needs to be redefined. It needs to be given a realistic connotation, and not such a degrading negative one. Urban Dictionary has fifty-four pages of definitions for nerds. The definition of nerd as a person who enjoys things and is not stereotyped by preexisting factors fully combines all aspects of the definition of the word nerd. It no longer needs to be a detrimental term, but instead one that describes the unabashedly different and thoughtful. Nerds do not have to look, think, or act a certain way to be a nerd. Likewise, just because someone looks, thinks, or acts a different way does not mean that they are a nerd. A nerd simply needs to like stuff.


Works Cited

1. "Antisocial." Oxford Dictionaries Online. Oxford University Press. Web. 08 Oct. 2011. .
2. "John Green Quotes." Share Book Recommendations With Your Friends, Join Book Clubs, Answer Trivia. Goodreads Inc. Web. 08 Oct. 2011. .
3. "Nerd." Oxford Dictionaries Online. Oxford University Press. Web. 08 Oct. 2011. .
4. "Urban Dictionary: Nerd." Urban Dictionary, October 16: Sounds like My First Time. Web. 08 Oct. 2011. .

Image Credtis


1.http://www.comic-con.org/
2.http://www.t-shirts.com/i-love-nerds-tshirt.html
3. http://trumagic.posterous.com/mercedes-benz-ad-targets-both-sides-of-your-b