How 'Nerd' Became Sexy And Ignorance Is Still Ugly

More information from more mediums does not equal more wisdom.
Choose your media wisely, showing yourself to be a true nerd.
The author of this article is a life-long nerd, and only embraced
his nerd status later in life. To all nerds who suffered at the hands
of the ignorant, rest assured your gifts and talents were not given in vain.

[large part of this article has its originally intended form in a FaceBook group - authored also by the author - having 'nerd' in that group's title, and is reproduced here]

Words are sometimes used to attack something that reveals a lack in others.

In the case of the word 'nerd', that word was initially used as a way to insult someone who was very smart... and perhaps had odd social skills or some other social indifference or manners atypical.

The use of that word, and other abusively used words towards those who had either inherently greater capacity for knowledge (or had developed such), may have negatively impacted children and adults who thought it was a good thing to be smart.

I recall being teased in grade school because I actually knew some answers to the teacher's questions.

And that abuse almost convinced me it was not cool to be smart.

Other terms have been used to identify social indifference.

To accommodate someone who wouldn't openly be called a 'nerd' due to their present social standing, more clinical words have been made..

If an intelligent person already notable had an odd manner to them, they may be considered 'eccentric' or 'extraordinary'.

Looking at the entry for nerd, you can read for yourself how what was previously an insulting word has become a moniker of unique talent.

Another great entry to read is 'emotional intelligence'.

I dare say we live in an age where ignorance isn't measured to an inability to read or write, but to be a kind human to another human.

In the age of technology, the nerds have become millionaires and billionaires.

Countless nerds have existed throughout history; scientists, statesmen and philosophers.

The word 'nerd' today should be understood in a kind and humorous way, and not in the negative notions previously attached to it.

'Nerd' should not have attached to it 'uncomfortable social skills' now in the age of social media where more and more people are not clones per-say, but have a wide range of manners and ways about them.

What is atypical in one societal setting, is very typical in another.

Regarding the negatives attached, let those be gone.

To use the term nerd is a means to laugh at one's self (if one thinks too highly of their intelligence).

The wise understands they know not all things, but may be confident enough to suggest they know a few things about a certain favored subject of theirs... while striving to learn more.

A nerd is interesting to be around because they have driven to the depths of any given topic and explored it nearly entirely... and others can bask in their knowledge sharing.

There is a nerd in every one of us who is fascinated by certain pursuits... and perhaps we wish to become expert in at least one thing, maybe more.

Admit it: you wish you were smarter... could understand more... could 'see' more... don't we all.

You may also wish you were a real nerd in something and you very well might be, thus why you're reading this.

We need you.

The world needs you.

Why do some of us read non-fiction and enjoy learning so much?

Because we admire sober and unadulterated information; it feeds our desire to know what is true from what is false or mere fancied opinion.

The pursuer of truth is a nerd for facts.

We like to read a nerd tell us and teach us, because only from a nerd can we trust the information is closest to truth than our current suggestions or what is 'common knowledge'.

We secretly aspire to at least be either a low key nerd or a nerd incognito, but really we desire having the capacity to say it and write it and do it like the bona fide nerds we admire.

We may dare be a public nerd if we could only be so brave.

We wouldn't think of calling our heroes, or those we draw inspiration from "nerds" to their face (and one shouldn't outside the definition being expressed here), but we know they have taken that path of privy pursuit and we admire that.

We admire their nerdiness.

Some may call them nerds spitefully, but such manners are usually from a place of ignorance.

The nerd serves a thankless purpose in assisting others grow out from simpler ways.

This is why the nerd in us revels when recognizing the nerd in someone else, and we internally high-five the meeting of our minds.

In the era of information that leads to knowledge (but not always understanding nor wisdom), the intellectual is redeemed from obscure sidelines thanks to the world's libraries at our fingertips.

To not be a nerdy expert in some field, in some fashion, in some manner, no matter how niche or obscure the field, is to choose common roads widely traveled.

But why only play checkers when you can very well learn the moves of chess?

It is only "not cool" to be smart when among those who haven't embraced their nerdy tendencies.

Have you noticed how attractive (beyond the surface) someone who has something smart to say is?

Sapiosexual this is termed (and I use that term very loosely, leaning on 'attraction' as like minds attract).

The nerd factor is strong with such as these and their person shines even brighter.

Nerddom can also be a vain conceit, so be warned fellow nerds.

Regarding the ruling of the world – notice it is the citing of the expert nerds throughout history that has inspired great ideas.

On the shoulders of nerds is the responsibility to get it right.

Thus, 'nerds' (those who have done the hard work of thinking and capturing clear thought into clear messages) rule the world through their works (books, invention, industry, et al).

Notice when the nerds are not considered, or ignored, or ridiculed, how quickly a foolish notion is perceived as poetic prose, but only later to be seen as hackery and eventually soundly refuted.

Every day in media a golden moment of ridiculousness is seen, truly a reality show gone bad.

Notice how such ridiculous notions are not coming from nerds, but tools.


This is why writers of non-fiction are honored and their nerd-status respectfully recognized.