What is a nerd?
Miriam-Websters defines the word as:
": an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits"
This stereotyped nerd image has become staple Americana. For years, "nerd" has coincided with images of the athletically frail, the socially outcast, and the unfortunately virginal. Many films have depicted the nerd as the character exploited for academic help or manipulated with promises of being included "amongst the guys." Now, is this still accurate?
As with any group of social outcasts, nerds themselves developed their own culture. The realms of computers, comics, and table top/video games were solely traversed by nerd kind for many years. Then something happened. Somewhere down the line, nerd culture became a huge influence on popular culture. Comic book properties became summer block busters, video games became a multi-billion dollar industry, and advanced technology has become integral to modern society. Even obscure internet in-jokes have infected American cultural staples.
I set out to produce a presentation for one of my classes exploring the relationship of Nerddom and its rise from seedy backwater kingdom to all powerful cultural empire. Honestly, I didn't think I could sum it all up in one little multimodal presentation, nor would I want to. Studying and applying the cultural dynamics of nerd life is something I want do for some time, as it is far from over.
To an extent, I have personal insight. I have been racking up high scores since I could reach an arcade stick, reading comics as soon as Dr. Seuss became boring, and my fondest childhood memories are of watching Star Trek: TNG with my father. (Picard is superior, no fucking question.) But could I be labeled a nerd in the traditional sense? I've never been much of an athlete, but in my younger years I was pretty active and I certainly wouldn't consider myself frail now. Though I relate more to those with nerd interests, I have never had a problem making friends wherever I may be. As for being virginal... well I'm no stud but... well a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell.
So am I pure nerd? Probably not, but few are. Still, I've attend conventions, argued the value of varying superpowers, and have a set of polyhedral dice in my glove box. So with my insider knowledge and my academic pursuit of a degree in English and Media Studies, I aim to mix the nerd with the academic.
And we're off...
