Let's face it, it is completely inevitable that you will be labeled a nerd in this hobby - regardless of your other hobbies, body-type, job or background. That being said, what kind of nerd are you?.
Are you the "Closet Nerd" who likes his hobby how Gandalf likes his ring "Keep it secret ... Keep it safe" This type of nerd goes to extremes and to great cost to hide his geekdom from girls, nonhobby friends and from anyone else who may not understand his dorky ways. I know quite a few folks like this and had a bout of it when I was young and first began to get into the hobby.
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Are you the "Confident Nerd" who is comfortable with his hobby and if asked about it will tell the questioner what it is about and answer any other questions that may come up. This guy is cool as a cucumber when other are razzing him, but he would exactly go around volunteering what he does in his off-time to everyone.
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This brings me to the final Nerd "The Zealot Nerd" Just as his name implies, he is crazy about the hobby and wants others to be crazy about it too. He regularly tries to convert "non-hobbyists" into his flock of gamers and proclaims his love of plastic crack from the rooftops! This nerd is a vocal, in-your-face kind of guy, who would love it if Warhammer 40k was an Olympic sport!
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So now that those definitions are out and on the table, what kind of Nerd are you? The Closet, Confident or Zealot Nerd? Be honest ... the anonymity of the internet compells you!
I'd have to go with closet nerd into confident nerd... I hid it before, but now I can easily take a verbal beating from the wife about loving video games and painting minis with a shrug and smile. Anything else from anyone else is just... whatever.
ReplyDeleteConfident nerd all the way. Simple reason, really- Why be ashamed of something you love? Just don't shove it into people's faces.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a Closet Nerd- I find the intrigue really attracts the ladies. And I'll let you know when it finally works :-/
ReplyDeleteIs there a Old and Married, and just don't care anymore nerd?
ReplyDeleteSeriously with kids and work and all the other responsibilities out there, I don't have time to worry about what people think of my hobbies.
Confident nerd here. I treat my hobbies the way I expect people to treat religion. Embrace it, enjoy it but don't come knocking on my door about it.
ReplyDeleteconfident nerd here. Maybe zealot when eith friends xD
ReplyDeleteWas a closet, came out of it...no, not that closet! As we mature and feel better about ourselves the confident nerd emerges. Nice Gandalf quote. made me laugh aloud for real!
ReplyDeleteI am under another category, which I affectionately name: The Autism Special
ReplyDeleteWhich includes, but is not limited to, the complete devotion to one's hobby, a mathematical approach to that hobby, but the mental stability of a squirrel snorting sugar packets in terms of ability to sit down and play out any number of games, or spend any time with my hobby without jumping to further conclusions, ideas, or otherwise not being focused as most hobbiest might be. I want it all, and I want it now. No patience,
HUZZAH!
I am the Zealot Nerd. I run the blog and I preach to nerds and "normies" alike.
ReplyDeleteI'd say it varies on the hobby I'm talking about... With comics I'm a Zealot Nerd and with wargaming it's a Confident Nerd.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell when you look at the multitude of websites I do!
If I had to I'd call myself the "The Zealot Nerd" (though I prefer geek ... to me Nerd means nothing more than an anti-social, stinky person). And no self respecting Zealot could simply end there without a long winded diatribe regarding Nerd vs. Geek ... and the illusion of the concept in general.
ReplyDeleteNerd is a term, often bearing a derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who avidly pursues intellectual activities, technical or scientific endeavors, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests, rather than engaging in more social or conventional activities. The nerd may be awkward, shy and unattractive. Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a loner by peers, or will tend to associate with like-minded people.
vs.
Geek. A person with a devotion to something in a way that places him or her outside the mainstream. This could be due to the intensity, depth, or subject of their interest. This definition is very broad but because many of these interests have mainstream endorsement and acceptance, the inclusion of some genres as "geeky" is heavily debated. Persons have been labeled as or chosen to identify as physics geeks, mathematics geeks, engineering geeks, sci-fi geeks, computer geeks, various science geeks, movie and film geeks (cinephile), comic book geeks, theater geeks, history geeks, music geeks, art geeks, philosophy geeks, literature geeks, historical reenactment geeks, 2012 geeks, video game geeks, roleplay geeks, mini gaming geeks, board game geeks, etc.
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I'd go one step further though and say that there is no difference between a mini gaming nerd (or geek .. again based on term preference), a RPG nerd ... board game nerd ... NASCAR Nerd ... NFL Nerd ... etc. To me a nerd or a geek is generally someone who is passionate about something to the point of being identified with it (either themselves or by others). Mainstream or obscure ... to me its more about level of interest that one has. We all eat right ... that is as mainstream as it gets ... but you have "foodies" (food geeks) ... the same with music and sports ... I think its time that the vernacular extend geek properly to non-tech and gaming related stuff. That is slowly happening. To me (and I'm backed up by many definitions of the word) nerd = anti-social. Again its very debatable and you can find definitions to support either viewpoint.
Confident nerd and only zealous towards friends
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