On the last episode of CAVEradio I was called a “generic nerd” and if that’s the impression I make on people then I need to work a little harder. I’ve always said that everyone is a nerd of something. Being a nerd doesn’t equate to nerdy/geeky things, being a nerd just means you’re really passionate…so passionate that you lose most people on the subject after a few minutes. It’s not bad, it’s just being a nerd. I think I know what type of nerd I am, but I want to know what nerd you think I am.
For those of you that know me – which should be most of you – if someone came up and asked you, “what type of nerd is Brian,” what would your answer be?
Brian is a _________ nerd.
Some of you have known me since kindergarten, some of you only through work, and some of you maybe just through Twitter and the radio show…all of which is great because it means I’ll get a good spread of honest answers (hopefully).
I’ll admit that I get passionate about many things, but I’m wondering what you think the “one” thing is. Please comment with your answer.
This should be most interesting.
Being a generic nerd isn’t necessarily a negative thing. In my mind it is a classic nerd…a nerd who is skilled at several nerdy endeavors. :)
So should I be a pain.. of course.. before I can classify the sort of nerd you are I need to know.. what are my choices? I mean otherwise you will remain general in my estimation. (Notice I did not say generic.. but general, and that is not a military rank in the nerd army either!)
Choices? That’s what I’m asking! If someone asked you what type of nerd am I, what would you say? There’s no word bank for this quiz.
So if someone came up to you and asked, “What type of nerd is Brian,” your reply would be, “well, he’s a general nerd”?
I’d say: Brian is a geeky nerd.
…balding…
…diabetic in training…
…tall….
…skinny…
…lifelong…
…video game…
…cheap…
…website…
…nerds…
…chicken fingers…
…art…
……
LOL – Out of all those, cheap and video game tell me the most. But I do like the sound of the “nerd’s nerd.”
Hmmm…the fact that folks can’t seem to nail it down to one solid concept tells me I need to focus.
I hate to say it, but I can’t narrow it down because you’re kind of generic nerd. I mean you’re a tall, skinny, pale, computer programmer, who loves video games, cartoons, chicken fingers, pop, candy and Dungeons and Dragons. The fact you are really good at art and you have the ability to dress like a non-nerd are the things, in my mind, that separates you from the common nerd.
I don’t think the tall/pale observation, however true to me it may be, is a nerd trait. I know plenty of short/not-skinny people that are nerds too. And I’d like to know how/why chicken fingers = nerd…??
Although I’ll take happiness in knowing I don’t dress like a nerd. That makes me happy. Good to know I have some sense of style.
But wow, if Thee can’t narrow it down after being “married” to me for almost 15 years, then it’s hopeless.
One of the things that attracted me to your blog in the first place was design. If I had to narrow it down, I’d say Brian is a design nerd. Although “design” can be a vague term, but it’s the best I got…
Thanks, Juan! I’m happy to be a design nerd :) And speaking of the site, I think I’m tired of Glass Joe so it might be time for some new wallpaper.
Surprisingly enough, I’m still really happy with this layout/theme. It hit a sweet spot with everything I like to do with entries and features.
As I think about this more (and I have no idea why I’m spending more time thinking about this), I think my problem is that I don’t know a lot of nerds anymore; therefore, when I think of a nerd I think of V. So I associate chicken fingers with nerds, same being tall and pale.
I don’t have a large of population of nerds to contrast your style with.
I think the term you’re looking for is “renaissance” nerd. That title would allow you to be a “generalist” in your variety of interests, but sets you far above being merely “generic.”