I Am a Nerd
Seems like it's "hip to be square" this week. Not only did we get a list of pop culture's 10 greatest nerds, but U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu proudly called himself a nerd at Harvard University's commencement ceremony today.
And, being a self-declared nerd myself, I was surprised that there is a difference between a nerd and a geek -- geeks don't have that redeeming quality of intelligence, a la Napoleon Dynamite.
Of course, it got me thinking -- how much is the designation of nerd a personal identity statement and how much of it is thrust at us because of society's social norms? Now, I'm not comparing this to cultural identity or sexual identity (both of which, I think, are more serious issues for people who experience crises on those fronts), but more of as a "it's somewhat like this."
Did we choose to become nerds, or is it something we're assigned based on our interests, intelligence, social skills, etc.? And, further, does it even mean anything in the larger context of who we are as people? Sure, I'm a nerd, but I'm so much more than just that. And, lastly, do we choose to label ourselves as such simply out of the desire to be part of a larger group since we're often in the minority?
Lots of questions, I know. Oh well, I guess a nerd is the only type of person who would ask this kind of stuff...
And, being a self-declared nerd myself, I was surprised that there is a difference between a nerd and a geek -- geeks don't have that redeeming quality of intelligence, a la Napoleon Dynamite.
Of course, it got me thinking -- how much is the designation of nerd a personal identity statement and how much of it is thrust at us because of society's social norms? Now, I'm not comparing this to cultural identity or sexual identity (both of which, I think, are more serious issues for people who experience crises on those fronts), but more of as a "it's somewhat like this."
Did we choose to become nerds, or is it something we're assigned based on our interests, intelligence, social skills, etc.? And, further, does it even mean anything in the larger context of who we are as people? Sure, I'm a nerd, but I'm so much more than just that. And, lastly, do we choose to label ourselves as such simply out of the desire to be part of a larger group since we're often in the minority?
Lots of questions, I know. Oh well, I guess a nerd is the only type of person who would ask this kind of stuff...