What's the Nerdiest thing you've done today?

You're hurrrrting my brraaain.

If what you're saying Rob is that nerd = interest in Sci-Fi (or other such interests) I would be a Nerd. I am not ashamed of my interests neither am I proud. So Nerd Pride is not really for me. I am equally nerdy about lipstick and nail varnish as I am about Star Trek. I don't feel the need to convert others or wear my stripes for either. When meeting someone with similar interests I enjoy discussing my various nerd-doms but I'm also equally at home discussing football. I wouldn't leave a party if no-one was willing to discuss the merits of Wookies over Ewoks. I enjoy 'nerdy' past-times but I think complete immersion is unhealthy. It gives a warped view of the world.

Edit: I think what I'm trying to say is that I enjoy both the 'nerdy' pursuits mocked by people who consider themselves cool and the 'shallow' pursuits mocked by those that consider themselves intelligent nerds. Both sides are a little elitist with a superior attitude for me.

Let's all share our world in harmony. Make love not photon torpedoes.

I agree completely Mekka. I was just raising questions in order to elucidate or asses what being a 'Nerd ' really means. I'm not taking sides , neither do I think that you need to belong to something so steadfastly or require to show some kind of pride or reservation in anything you do or involve yourself in . It's free for all!

I think that Nerd Pride is less about converting others, and more about supporting people who feel that they've been pushed out by MotP.

I suppose, according to Rehlinger's Paradox, Nerd Pride could, theoretically, completely obliterate the world's nerd population, by increasing the self-confidence of nerds.

I don't think Nerd Pride would obliterate the world's nerd population, but it might have the power to change the paradigm of Nerdism. The self-loathing, embarrased nerd might become a thing of the past, replaced with a new type of nerd who hold their head high but is still recognisable as a nerd. Nerd Pride will hopefully obliterate wedgies in time.

Mekka, I know a girl who is a total nail polish / make-up nerd. Because a pursuit is "cool" it does not preclude nerdery. It's the attitude one takes with their interests and pursuits that determines the nerd.

I'm beginning to think that nerdism is closely related to OCD in a lot of ways. It's not just how nerdy/shallow/cool your pursuit is. It's the depth of your interest/obsession in it.

So I am a cat, ST, SW, cosmetics, Who, tall buildings, Apollo, etc. nerd.

I do wish you to know that I do not hate myself for these interests. I am not a self-loather. If I'm going to loathe anyone (including myself) it's going to have to be for a reason more despicable than owning Trek dvds.

I think I've been seeing a nerd as someone who is completely obsessed to the exclusion of normality. With that arrogance of their belief in themselves as a higher intelligence. Thank you Jakob (King of the Nerds) for pointing out that nerds can be nice people too!

Now all you need to do is give me a simple explanation on the difference between geek and nerd that I can explain to my friends. Who like to call me midget or geek but never nerd.

Nerdism (in the affliction sense) I believe to be a combination of varying degrees of OCD, Aspbergers and ADHD. Perhaps a slight nerve or musclar disorder could also be thown into the mix. As well, in extreme cases Borderline Personality Disorder or severe depression might also play a role.



Although I might quibble about the terminology (one man's Nerd is another's Dweeb or Geek), I think this diagram does well to help explain the nomenclature of the nerd spectrum.

What I was speaking of at the top of this post is represented by the circle encompassing "social ineptitude." These are the guys who get wedgied by the jocks and are the basis for the nerd/geek stereotype but are, though highly noticable, a rather small percentage of the nerd population.

Much as I agree with you, Mekka, Jakob is hardly the King of the Nerds.

Oh he is. Jakob and Mandi are King & Queen.

They're so settled into their nerdisms. They just fit the roles. No self-consciousness, just great explanations and discussion. With a wide spectrum of nerdery they travel across with ease. Everyone else has a much tighter spectrum, isn't willing to share or is just trying too hard. No-one else I know well enough can be up for the monarchy.

I like to think of Jakob more as the Court Jester, a proud nerd who still has problems with some nerderies, but turns his quest for knowledge into amusement for the masses.

I tend to think of myself as the Black Adder II of nerds. But you're probably more on the money with the jester idea.

I'm guessing Cullane would be Baldrick then.

I think I need to watch Blackadder.

Jakob wrote:I tend to think of myself as the Black Adder II of nerds. But you're probably more on the money with the jester idea.

Do you have a cunning plan?

I have a cunning plan hidden within a planning cun.

I got irritated with my Star Trek dismissing husband for posting the ST:TNG theme tune on his Facebook profile. With the excuse of 'They used to play it in the Thunderdome in '88/89'. Then someone else piping in (def not a ST fan) that they played in in the Blackburn warehouses as well.

Then I realised it must have sounded awesome in such an environment with such a state of mind and was gutted I missed it. Plus this irritation doesn't sit well with my 'Make love not photon torpedoes' policy. I should be glad ST has brought joy to 1000's of people who otherwise would have missed it completely.

To wave off Jakob and Mandi's apprehensions about the hat becoming a mere conversation piece , I wore it today in my home town and in Rotterdam city centre. I got a couple of looks of faint recognition and some laughs. The hat is comfortable , I'm glad I got it and will be wearing it whenever the weather calls for some shade over my eyes.

I was bored. I made an online petition to help an imaginary friend get a new computer. http://www.petitiononline.com/ocullane/petition.html

That is a fantastic cause.

It is indeed, which is why all of you should sign it. Now. Or else.

I never listen to podcast more than once. They are very disposable. Listen, delete, load up another....
Until today! I've now finished Enders Game and am currently downloading that episode for a re-listen!! Revisiting free audio............looks like I do now!!

Spent several minutes pondering whether The Definitive Word #100 (Embarrassing Moments) is now my new favorite podcast episode.
No verdict yet.

Yesterday, I went totally off the chart in geekanalia purchasing. Looking back, I'm a bit stunned at my complete loss of control (I haven't succumbed to binge geek buying in a very long time). But I have no regrets beyond the fact that I now have to wait for my purchases to arrive...

Whadjou buy? Whadjou buy?

A shocking number of Diamond Select Trek action figures (shocking only after I counted post-purchase). When I'm finally found out for my geeky weakness, I will blame it all on the "1-Click" purchase ease of eBay and Amazon and Miss Kitty over at the Starbase sector of SimSyn's forum!