[CHAT]: Is being nerdy cool now?
Growing up, I remember that being called a ‘nerd’ was considered a derogatory term. But now-a-days, it is thrown around as if it were a compliment. So when did being a nerd stop being such a bad thing according to social norms? I’m guessing it would be pretty hard to pinpoint the exact moment it became cool.
But at the same time, I can’t help but wonder if people seem to have mixed up what exactly a nerd is, with the term geek. I know both nerds and geeks and they are not one in the same.
So now the question becomes ‘Is being a geek considered cool now?’
To answer that, I think so. I mean once upon a time, being a geek was considered uncool as their local community ostracized the individuals as no one had an understanding as to just how big the fandoms were back then. But now thanks to technology, internet in particular, geeks are able to unite with other people who are overly enthusiastic about the same things as they are.
This has lead to being utterly obsessed with superheroes to be seen as something that is mainstream rather than something that only children do. That is unless we are talking about comic books, because that is still seen as geeking out in an uncool way. So then the question becomes … are there other ways of geeking out that are still considered uncool? And is being called a geek in these terms still considered a derogatory term?
Join us at 8pm AEST tonight, 11th July, as we discuss all things nerdy geeky! If you are unsure what time that is for you, check the map below for a rough guide.
Hope you're feeling better soon, and you're more than welcome to join us later!
Hello everyone and welcome to tonight's GR session: Is being nerdy cool now? We've got heaps of questions and are excited to get the conversation going.
Remember to follow our guidelines and if you need further support outside of this convo, there's lots of peeps you can talk to!
Now for some fun! Lets get our geek and/or nerd on! 
First question: What do the terms 'nerd' and 'geek' mean to you?
Hey everyone!
What do the terms 'nerd' and 'geek' mean to you?
So the term 'nerd' to me is someone who studies a subject more in depth. I've even been called a nerd because of the type of degree I have. Let's just say I know quite a bit more about phys chem than the average person.
Geek on the other hand is someone who is utterly obsessed with stuff. They wear those fandom t-shirts, myself included. Heck I am even a member of Pottermore, but have not caught up on all the new content that has been released.
So yeah, that just about covers it, besides my definition in the starting post. 🙂
@Rainbow Lane I have pottermore too, although I have accessed it in forever.
@N1ghtW1ng you have pretty much answered our next question!
Do you hear those terms being used more positively or negatively, or are they rarely used at all anymore?
And to answer my own question ...
Do you hear those terms being used more positively or negatively, or are they rarely used at all anymore?
I've rarely seen them used in any negative light other than on old tv shows and movies. Most times I hear of them is when people say that are book nerds, or when people call themselves nerds because they have glasses. But I don't think I've heard of anyone using the term geek recently.
Onto our next question then:
Have you ever been called a nerd or a geek? How did it make you feel?
Have you ever been called a nerd or a geek? How did it make you feel?
Yep. Mainly a nerd. I hated it growing up, but got used to it because it was my sisters that used to tease and taunt me with it, as my initials pretty much spell out the word. I got the last laugh when I became one. 😛
Then there was another time when it never really registered in my brain until the lecturer made a big deal about it, he called the whole class nerds.
@stonepixie it's so annoying when people use describing words as insults. It's just, excuse me for being a nerd, I didn't realise it bothered you so much.
Saying something like "Thanks" in response as @N1ghtW1ng suggested is always a great way to handle it because let's be honest, being a geek and/or nerd should be considered a compliment!
Did that make any sense?
Have you ever been called a nerd or a geek? How did it make you feel?
From others - Yes but it's always been a joke/endearing type of comment rather than a negative one that was meant to hurt me
To myself - As seems to be the pattern - I use the terms more so as a badge of honour.
e.g. I'm a self proclaimed Harry Potter geek and I love it! 
@Rainbow Lane I think it's both. Because we're all older AND because everyone is changing. Younger kids are idiots when it comes to insults (sorry tiny humans) and would naturally use words like nerd or geek as insults, just like they use any word to be mean people. But as we grow older, we, well, grow up. These words aren't used as insults as much because they're not insulting, they're just describing the way someone is or some of their likes/interests.
It's also because comic culture is becoming more and more popular with, as @stonepixie mentioned in the intro post, the internet. People can come together and unite with their common like in fandoms of all kinds and it kind of gives power to them. They're no longer that loner who loves that show or that movie or whatever, they are a part of a larger fandom that they can connect to through the internet and share fun thoughts, memes, art, ideas and all sorts of things.
That was my other question I had @stonepixie, you said, after mentioning that liking superheroes is more mainstream after that awesome Hermoine gif, "That is unless we are talking about comic books, because that is still seen as geeking out in an uncool way" is that true? I mean, I don't think so, because I haven't seen anything like that but do you mean in schools among teenagers specifically or everyone?
And for this next question;
Have you ever been called a nerd or a geek?
Yes. A nerd, but not a geek. Which is yet another reason why I get confused, because I definitely fit more into the geek category than the nerd category because of superheroes and comics and such and such but I have been called a nerd. 😛
How did it make you feel? When it was teasing about my glasses (which I think happened, I DO know that I was teased about my glasses, so it could've been from being called a nerd, but I dunno for sure) I did feel upset and hurt. Because they're just pieces of thin glass in front of my eyes held there by plastic and/or metal frame so I can see clearly, so why call me names because of it?
But when it's just because I like things or am smart at maths or whatever, then my reaction is why? At least, when it is meant as an insult, something you can tell by voice and body language, because it's not insulting, at least not to me.
Otherwise, I'm just yes. Yes I am, thank you for acknowledging that. Are you inviting me to discuss my interests with you?
Or, if it's a friend or myself. I just nod with a smug look. You know I am. 😛
Sorry for the long post. 😄
I just remember the insult for glasses being foureyed freak, @N1ghtW1ng!
@N1ghtW1ng wrote:
That was my other question I had @stonepixie, you said, after mentioning that liking superheroes is more mainstream after that awesome Hermoine gif, "That is unless we are talking about comic books, because that is still seen as geeking out in an uncool way" is that true? I mean, I don't think so, because I haven't seen anything like that but do you mean in schools among teenagers specifically or everyone?
Yeah, it is pretty much still true. From my experience, most people frown upon those that are utterly obsessed with comic books. 😞 Like people don't realise that all these DC and Marvel movies coming out are actually based on comic books and the such. It probably has something more to do with it being a book more than anything.
Which leads us straight into the next question.
How do you think the media (tv, movies, books, news, magazines etc) play a role in forming our ideas about being a geek or a nerd? Examples.
How do you think the media (tv, movies, books, news, magazines etc) play a role in forming our ideas about being a geek or a nerd. Examples
Well for starters, the way media portrays things has a big influence what people perceive nerds and geeks to be, especially when it comes to popular tv-shows and such. Which is probably were the meaning of the terms got mixed up / geek got dropped entirely.
I can't remember specific examples, but I do remember the quote 'you're such a nerd' which vaguely means anyone who is book smart, so I guess from that, people just assumed that if anyone knew large amounts of stuff on a specific thing, they became a nerd.
I'm glad it made sense @Rainbow Lane 🙂
How do you think the media (tv, movies, books, news, magazines etc) play a role in forming our ideas about being a geek or a nerd? Examples.
Media, as always, affects and shapes the way people think about things. With the big boom of superhero movies coming out, geek culture is becoming more popular, with the superhero specifically but also a backlash of the others maybe? also getting popularity. I think the Harry Potter movies also played a bit of a role in the boom of geek culture because they too sparked interest and, dare I say it? Obsession with these movies leading to geekness.
So, because of these boom in movies AND interest and love of these movies, geek culture became more accepted and more the norm. For example, sit in a room of a few people, ask how many like Harry Potter, and for that one person who says no, you get the one or two people who gasp and say "Really? How???" I hope you get what I mean by that. The movies, furthered by the fact that they were GOOD, made geek culture a more acceptable thing in the eyes of the media.
I can't speak for magazines, because I don't read them.
It's the same with nerd culture too, in a way. Some movies have science backing to them and a lot of people enjoy the accuracies, and also the inaccuracies, behind the science and that's more accepted too. Some people might roll their eyes when a nerd points out everything wrong in Star Wars or Star Trek, but it's not frowned upon as much as it could of been. It's accepted that some people know these things and more acceptable for them to know it too.
Did that make sense? If you don't understand something, tell me what part and I'll try to explain it better. I probably ended up repeating myself and parts too... ah well. 🙂
I've even thought about purchasing some comic books for youngest nephew who so totally hung up on comics. But I don't want to get addicted to them at such a young age because there is no comic book store in my hometown. And I kinda want to be able to change things up with what I buy him for his birthday / christmas. Maybe when he becomes a teenager, I'll start him on them.
