#NerdsUnite: The Evolution of the Nerd
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Megan. She's super duper awesome sauce and a total book lover. For reals, this chick = compulsive, hardcore reader. I'll let her tell you more about that - HIT IT MEGAN!!!! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @MegCorbs
It is so interesting to watch and examine the evolution of the nerd, into something that was once laughed at and mocked to now being something that is socially acceptable. So how did society get from point A to point B?
Let's start with what Webster's defines as a nerd.
P.S. how gnarly is it that there is a +1 and 'Like' button for a dictionary definition, if that isn't proof of nerds taking over the world, I don't know what is! (that side note was brought to you by A.D.D.!)
While this definition may have been true of nerd of the past (a la Urkle, Revenge of the Nerds, etc) I don't feel like it is true of nerds today.
I consider myself a nerd (a bookworm to more exact), and I am the least bit shy or anti-social. I love meeting new people and picking their brain (one of my nerdier qualities) and go crazy if I've been by myself for too long. I crave human contact because it helps me to grow and feeds my curiosity.
That being said, I know that while yes, a lot of nerds may be anti-social, I think that is an entirely different personality trait altogether.
So if I could change the Webster's definition, what would I change it to?
Nerd: a person who is passionate about something to a degree of almost obsession, usually on something niche or educational-based.
I think that passion is what people confuse with being anti-social. Our brains just work a little differently. If you get a group of nerds together who have the same passion about something I can guarantee you, you won't be able to shut them up. Twitter has also given us a way to find like-minded people to interact with.
We want to talk about the things that interest us or get into the minds of other people, non-nerds who we can't always relate, don't understand why we want to spend an hour talking about social media, comic books, horror movies, etc..
That brings me to my next point. Nerds come in all shapes and sizes. Since once again, it is the way the mind works, the appearance of a nerd isn't perceived to be what it used to be. Long gone are the days of the pocket protector and suspenders and in comes the Twitter necklaces and hilarious science tees.
There can be music nerds, movie nerds, tech nerds, book nerds and even fashion nerds.
It's all about passion, people! Which is something that is starting to be celebrated instead of mocked.
So let me let you into my nerdy brain a little. I love social media so incredible much. It's beyond interesting to see the different ways in which people and companies interact on these different platforms. Like I said before, I am a huge book worm. You'll be hard pressed to find me without a book, graphic novel, or my very much loved Kindle on me. I mean I seriously bought a book about books!
Nerds rule the world and get to where they are because of this passion and thirst for knowledge. So I say keep kicking ass fellow nerds! We've already begun to change public perception of us, what's next?
#nerdsunite
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