Self-identified Nerds

[The_Hitcher89]

Anyone else feel like this sub-culture is becoming incredibly annoying and obnoxious? The bellend from Chuck has been on the VGAs all night, and he keeps going on about how 'there's no big brand like Nike for nerds like us.' This follows a couple of years where you couldn't go a day without some tit going on about how much of a nerd they are.

And what caused it? The spread of games consoles into living rooms? The populrity of things like the LotR films? The Big Bang Theory?

And now, the ultimate question: Are self-identified nerds worse than hipsters?

(Yes, I'm aware that there's a large crossover)

 

[Alucrid]

only fake nerds tune into the vgas

 

[Ultima_5]

If you ever met a girl who makes it a point to say how nerdy she is about anything, don't date her.

 

[jtb]

Yes, they're annoying as hell. No, they're not worse than hipsters, but they come damn close.

But Chuck was amazing (up to a point...) and Zach seems like a nice guy. I'm conflicted.

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

Why would anyone want to be a nerd?

 

[Medalion]

Being a true nerd is meaning never being proud to be one because nerds are by definition social outcasts for being too smart, too obsessive, emotionally vunerable and socially awkward

Things "cool" people don't like in people generally

 

[kittens]

I mean, people can be authentically nerdy, and still be self-aware or even proud about it. I consider my love of video games and sci fi as pretty important parts of my identity, and I realize those things are nerdy, and I'm cool with it. Not everyone's faking it or trying to "over do it".

 

[NoRéN]

The Big Bang Theory?

That certainly did not help.

I mean, people can be authentically nerdy, and still be self-aware or even proud about it. I consider my love of video games and sci fi as pretty important parts of my identity, and I realize those things are nerdy, and I'm cool with it. Not everyone's faking it or trying to "over do it".

That's fine. The problem would arise if you're the type to go out of your way to let everyone know just how "nerdy" you are.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

Yes, they're annoying as hell. No, they're not worse than hipsters, but they come damn close.

But Chuck was amazing (up to a point...) and Zach seems like a nice guy. I'm conflicted.

I don't want to cast aspersions, but his entire nerd thing sounded vaguely exploitative. It was like 'Us nerds need a brand to get behind, like other people have Nike. So,with us all being nerds, buy my brand, The Nerd Machine. You love shit like that don't you, you sad sacks of shit.'

@kittens, no doubt. I have things I'm 'nerdy' about, games and ASoI&F for instance. They're parts of me though. I'd never introduce or describe myself as a nerd because of them. Some people seem to be under the impression that playing FIFA and Halo makes you a nerd, and people will respect you more for constantly identifying yourself as such

 

[MisterHero]

Why would anyone want to be a nerd?

They make billions of dollars and have plenty of good ideas

 

[Nemo]

Everyone who does that does it for monetary gains, otherwise they are insane

 

[FStop7]

This thread is in direct response to Zachary Levi's bullshit, isn't it?

 

[jtb]

I don't want to cast aspersions, but his entire nerd thing sounded vaguely exploitative. It was like 'Us nerds need a brand to get behind, like other people have Nike. So,with us all being nerds, buy my brand, The Nerd Machine. You love shit like that don't you, you sad sacks of shit.'

I'm not watching the VGAs, but Chuck was a nerdy show in a really legitimate way that differed from something like the Big Bang Theory. A true labor of love. Having said that, I get the sense that the entire video game industry is just horribly exploitative of "nerd culture" in general, [insert picture of Keighley + Doritos here] so what you're describing wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

[Jitters]

Not sure why stuff like this bothers people. Some people are nerds and are self-aware. No big deal.

 

[LiQuid!]

Wait so you're telling me the VGA's are out of touch with the culture they are trying to connect with??? And THIS is the year I didn't tune in???

 

[Duesy]

Being a true nerd is meaning never being proud to be one because nerds are by definition social outcasts for being too smart, too obsessive, emotionally vunerable and socially awkward

Things "cool" people don't like in people generally

Quoted for truth because this is exactly what I think about when I think of myself and the connotation of ''nerd''

 

[cutmeamango]

Real nerds think 'fake' nerds are ruining nerds because nerd was a cathartic badge casted upon you, not self prescribed.

 

[Dog Problems]

I still remember when being called a nerd or geek was considered hurtful. I feel like an old man now and I'm not even 30 yet.

 

[AKingNamedPaul]

Thread should be about people who are too self obsessed, and/or oblivious of other people not caring. Whether they are talking about how nerdy they are, how not mainstream they are, how great their religion is, how much they think religion sucks, how awesome drugs are, how awesome their opinion is about X Y or Z, the problems is the same.

 

[lush]

Nerd elitism is equally bad.

 

[Clydefrog]

 

[Jado]

I don't want to cast aspersions, but his entire nerd thing sounded vaguely exploitative. It was like 'Us nerds need a brand to get behind, like other people have Nike. So,with us all being nerds, buy my brand, The Nerd Machine. You love shit like that don't you, you sad sacks of shit.'

This is pretty much the jist of Big Bang Theory. Let us make fun of geeks for ratings and profits. Its appeal to average joes is that they're looking in on nerd culture from the outside and laughing at it (albeit a shitty portrayal of it), while at the same time thinking "OMG this is so funny, I'm such a total nerd like Sheldon too!"

I also remember when being called a nerd was a major insult, something you avoided association with at all costs. What's the equivalent now? Creep? Weirdo? Awkward loser?

 

[Jitters]

You guys take this nerd stuff pretty seriously..............

 

[A Pretty Panda]

You guys take this nerd stuff pretty seriously..............

Nerds hate other nerds.

 

[genjiZERO]

If you ever met a girl who makes it a point to say how nerdy she is about anything, don't date her.

No definitely do. Girls who pretend to be nerds are so cute. It's the ones who are actually nerds who are annoying.

 

[CorvoSol]

Not pictured here: The accompanying neckbeard and trench coat.

 

[Hours Left]

Thread should be about people who are too self obsessed, and/or oblivious of other people not caring. Whether they are talking about how nerdy they are, how not mainstream they are, how great their religion is, how much they think religion sucks, how awesome drugs are, how awesome their opinion is about X Y or Z, the problems is the same.

Pretty much this.

But at the same time, unless these people are jumping down your throat, then who cares? Let people like what they like, and be who they want to be. If they start invading your life then you have every right to call them on it, if not, live and let live.

Because people who complain endlessly about hipsters/super nerds/"fill in the music genre" stans/etc. are far more annoying than the groups in question will ever be.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

Am I imagining a memory of a tumblr or something called nerdsinfedoras?

 

[blame space]

anyone here a dork?

 

[Friggz]

If you ever met a girl who makes it a point to say how nerdy she is about anything, don't date her.

some girl im friends with on facebook is contantly saying how nerdy she is becuase she plays COD. drives me fucking nuts.

 

[Bolt Vanderhuge]

I like to think of myself as more of a poindexter.

 

[genjiZERO]

Pretty much this.

But at the same time, unless these people are jumping down your throat, then who cares? Let people like what they like, and be who they want to be. If they start invading your life then you have every right to call them on it, if not, live and let live.

Because people who complain endlessly about hipsters/super nerds/"fill in the music genre" stans/etc. are far more annoying than the groups in question will ever be.

Only a hipster would care enough to care not to care.

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

I still remember when being called a nerd or geek was considered hurtful. I feel like an old man now and I'm not even 30 yet.

Still is.

 

[AKingNamedPaul]

Pretty much this.

But at the same time, unless these people are jumping down your throat, then who cares? Let people like what they like, and be who they want to be. If they start invading your life then you have every right to call them on it, if not, live and let live.

Because people who complain endlessly about hipsters/super nerds/"fill in the music genre" stans/etc. are far more annoying than the groups in question will ever be.

Truth

 

[blame space]

I'm a hipster nerd and I am fat and have depression. I weng to whole foods in my N7 t-shirt and the cute cashier said cool shirt and I said "I know." got her number in my new flagship droid phone by samsung.

 

[genjiZERO]

I'm a hipster nerd and I am fat and have depression. I weng to whole foods in my N7 t-shirt and the cute cashier said cool shirt and I said "I know." got her number in my new flagship droid phone by samsung.

True story: I was in Beacon's Closet (hardcore hipster thrift store in Brooklyn) a couple months ago and I tried on a jacket. The girl who worked there looked at me and said, "That jacket is so vintage". I turned my head and said, "No! It's a right now jacket".

 

[Jado]

Pretty much this.

But at the same time, unless these people are jumping down your throat, then who cares? Let people like what they like, and be who they want to be. If they start invading your life then you have every right to call them on it, if not, live and let live.

Because people who complain endlessly about hipsters/super nerds/"fill in the music genre" stans/etc. are far more annoying than the groups in question will ever be.

Nothing wrong with us complaining about posers in a message board thread. I don't go about my day shitting on someone who watches BBT and plays COD while calling himself a geek or whatever.

I agree with the walrus about the bizarre, mean-spirited relationship between the video game industry and the video game culture. I remember a season of that crap Playstation show, The Tester, had EgoRaptor getting on it due to fan votes. He was one of the few legitimate "nerds," not an asshole trying to find his path to Hollywood. The show edited him to be the worst contestant possible and kicked him off for no good reason after a couple of episodes. There was also a humble, decent girl that got booted off early, presumably for not being the HARDcore Grrrrrl gamer type. I've now seen reality game show promos of something called Biggest Nerd on cable and it looks like the worst elements of The Tester x10. Nerd culture exploitation + self-mocking + extra nonsense idiocy.

 

[lunarworks]

And now, the ultimate question: Are self-identified nerds worse than hipsters?

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

Still is.

No way.

When I was in High School, I was very nerdy, but also really effeminate, and was basically harassed each and every day with homosexual slurs. One time this guy literally followed me down the hall whispering "queer" into my ear non-stop. People told me that their parents said they could beat me up and they'd be proud.

I much preferred when people made fun of me simply for being nerdy instead.

 

[Hours Left]

True story: I was in Beacon's Closet (hardcore hipster thrift store in Brooklyn) a couple months ago and I tried on a jacket. The girl who worked there looked at me and said, "That jacket is so vintage". I turned my head and said, "No! It's a right now jacket".

It's "of the moment."

 

[Cookie Cutter]

Self-identified Anything is annoying. Kind of like Self-diagnosing people. How many times do you hear people talk about how "OCD" they are? Or ADD? Drives me nuts.

 

[Plywood]

Self-identified nerds are jackasses.

 

[iirate]

I don't wear my nerdiness on my sleeve or anything, but a friend asked me a few months ago if I'd consider myself a nerd, and I immediately replied with a "yes". You can self-identify and not be obnoxious about it.

No definitely do. Girls who pretend to be nerds are so cute. It's the ones who are actually nerds who are annoying.

wtf is this shit. I've known cool and terrible nerds on both sides of the gender spectrum - if anything, I've known a larger percentage of cool and down-to-earth nerdy women than cool and down-to-earth nerdy men.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

Not to mention plenty of guys also over-exaggerate certain qualities to appeal to what they think women want...like the guys who say they're sensitive and then list off the Notebook and Titanic as their favorite movies.

 

[Rentahamster]

Somehow I feel like a decent portion of the audience who willingly watch the VGAs are not necessarily "nerds", in the purest sense of the word.

 

[StriKeVillain]

Do you even code?

 

[Cookie Cutter]

Not to mention plenty of guys also over-exaggerate certain qualities to appeal to what they think women want...like the guys who say they're sensitive and then list off the Notebook and Titanic as their favorite movies.

Or they enjoy cooking and cuddling. As if those are the magic words to sweep us ladies off our feet.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Do you even code?

Yes my iphone has a passcode.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

Or they enjoy cooking and cuddling. As if those are the magic words to sweep us ladies off our feet.

I make it a mean microwave dinner, if that's enough to make you swoon

 

[AlexBasch]

"oh gosh i'm such a nerrrrd"

I feel like smacking those people with a rusty pipe to make them shut the fuck up.