Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
"Be the Nerd" — Parallax Forums

"Be the Nerd"

Comments

  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    I appreciate Zuker's point there. But taken literally:

    From Merriam-Webster

    Full Definition of nerd
    : an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits <computer nerds>

    Should we be encouraging anyone to be that?



  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    edited 2016-01-06 05:23
    I think we should be encouraging people to be who they are and when they want to build on that, help them without judging them.

    So, take this nerd. Maybe they are completely happy as a nerd. Fine. When they become unhappy, we help them understand why and we support them in their persuit of happiness.

    Say they get lonely. One way to fix that is to open up and improve on some things. Another way is to find others that one feels good around.

    There is a ultra nerdy couple living near me. You can feel the nerdness all the way from Rocklin. But, they are happy. Two nerds near completely oblivious to the world and it's thoughts about them. Sometimes I see them in the grocery store and I watch. They often walk this world as if they are at Comic Con, and they just don't care. Beautiful, if you ask me.

    I'm glad they found one another. It's obvious it all works. I know so many socially adept people who have worked hard to find that and so far have come no where close. There is a basic lesson there.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    I think it's the idea that to be interested in and passionate about technical, scientific, mathematical things or other intellectual pursuits throws you into the bucket of social outcasts that bugs me.

    The whole "jocks" and "nerds" thing.

    It's just not fashionable to be educated. Especially scientifically literate.

  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    Oh totally. Though it's changing in many places.

  • hazletthazlett Posts: 35
    He had a point there.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    Hmmmm.... Well I truly do not believe that a person's interests or academic endeavors can classify a person as a nerd. In my opinion, the "nerd" has a certain persona, let's say a tad goofy or being oblivious to being street savvy, in addition to their interests and academic endeavors.

    I believe a person can be a scientist without being a "nerd", however I also believe there are many scientists that are nerds.
  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    Yes, that is one of the things the movie "The Martian" does convey.

  • tomcrawfordtomcrawford Posts: 1,126
    All things in moderation. Including nerdiness.
  • hatallicahatallica Posts: 175
    The author of the story makes some wild leaps regarding the grandmother's intentions. She is clearly a fan of FB and probably ascribes many positive attributes to Mr. Zuckerberg. Why wouldn't she want her granddaughters to date a guy like the one that brings her great joy?

    That said, most of women that I have dated told me that they find intelligent men very attractive. Clearly, I got them on the rebound.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    The antagonist in Dan Brown's novel "Inferno" is a billionaire geneticist/genius/bon vivant/public speaker/charismatic leader/passionate lover who has grave concerns for the future of mankind and takes steps to preserve the species.

    It's gotta be true. Apparently nerds will control the world.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    Where did this "nerd" sterotype come from anyway?

    There are plenty of famous examples of seriously clever guys who anything but unsociable basement dwellers. Richard Feynman, Einstein hundreds of others.

    Even in popular culture Batman was very technically savvy but certainly not a nerd. I'm sure you can think of others.

    Historically a lot of well known people were not simply into their technology/science they were also well versed in literature, music, politics and so on. Polymaths. Benjamin Franklin comes to mind.

    The current Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, has a first class honours degree in computer science and a diploma in computer science from Cambridge. He went on to be a brigadier-general in the Singapore Army.

    Etc, etc, etc,



  • potatoheadpotatohead Posts: 10,261
    All I know is the nerds I grew up with, and for a time I was one, were socially inept, often, but not always smart. Some changed and grew, others didn't.

    Somewhere in there, intellectual curiosity, and adventurous in thought got linked to uncool, different, etc...

  • MicksterMickster Posts: 2,693
    edited 2016-01-08 01:35
    The first drive-in I ever did.

Sign In or Register to comment.