What makes a nerd?
 

I mean...I don't get it? What really makes a person a nerd? :confused:

Glasses and a pocket protecter.

A guy who wonders more about science than he does about a chicks' funbags.

A 'nerd,' per se, only exists in the semi-penitentiary style social nightmare called 'high-school'. For a good explanation on what makes a nerd a nerd, and why they're the focus of such torment and ridicule, check out:
http://www.paulgraham.com/nerds.html

Don't confuse nerds with people who are just different, confrontational, or disassociated with reality. The term Nerd brings to mind the smart kid in class with the glasses and pocket protector who always knows (and invariably) volunteers the answers or asks for more homework. The term also applies to people who are just technologically or scientifically inclined and who take interest in things (like wierd math problems) that make other people cringe.

They are often picked on and unpopular, but not always, I was 'reasonably' popular for most of my high school career, even though I didn't do much to get that way, and I revel in my nerdiness here at college.

Like Valthonis said in the last post, being a nerd is only something to be avoided during high school. After that it means that you are the one who will be making the money.

I was uterly hated at my high school because i was smarter then most people there (not all) and i tried to be a comedian and i am not all that funny

I suppose nerds are just people who are less socially adept than everyone else. That's one definition.

Another is someone who is an expert in a field. Say, a computer nerd, or an art nerd, or most other things.

Just a side point, this whole "nerds making all themoney bit" is a bit tired and old to me. I used to be kinda nerdy, but i've since grown as a person, and realized that financial success need not preclude social success. Engineers make pretty good money, but they aren't necessarily rich.

And the article makes it sound like all nerds are smart and unpopular and that all popular people aren't smart. I've known plenty of smart charismatic types that are popular, and plenty of retarded social outcasts.

I consider myself to be a nerd. My definition basically just depends on social skill.

the best example would be the nerds from "Revenge of the Nerds" (about the first half of the movie)

To me, a nerd is someone who lacks social skills. Nerds can be dumb or intelligent, it doesn't matter. If you have no social skills and you're not aware and/or don't care, then you're a nerd.

I agree with K-Billy. The school I go to www.uat.edu ;the term geek or geeky seems to be anywhere from the norm to a compliment.

I always had a nerd down as a person interested in science/computers more than they are of life

They'll look a bit weird and act a lot weirder

I consider myself a geek - One step up from this - Still interested in science/computers but with friends and social standing - You'd find a geek in the pub - Not so for a nerd

Pretty much anyone posting here is a nerd or geek ... though those words are only slander if you let them be.
I'm proud of how nerdy I can be.

valthonis: i liked that article you linked about nerds. the guy sounds a little bitter, but interesting thoughts nevertheless.

hilbert25: yes, everyone posting is definitely a geek, unless they are here posting only for the porn, in which case they're perverts. :)

what makes me a nerd? I can rattle of specs of systems from 20 years ago, can talk about most scientific and medical studies with most in the field. For fun friends and I talk science and physics. I spend more time reading books on history and world events....

To me nerds are boring people who study all the time, excel at academics, but when it comes to real life situations such as common sense, girls, socializing, etc.. they fall a bit short.

couldn't agree more, there's as difference between working with computers for fun/work and being obsessed by it, that's nerds are in my opinion

but as said before, this view changes from person to person