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Actually, it has been proven that people labeled as "nerds and geeks" are some of the most successful people around. Big Bang Theory is a funny comedy that plays on the stereo typical ideas of a nerd. They aren't all comic book totting, magic card carrying, over-weight, walking sci-fy fanatitics.

In fact, most people that are considered "dedicated" to their sport, craft, hobby, etc would be considered a nerd. A nerd is someone who is so detailed and locked in like a laser to a task that they don't see anything else and can shut everything else out. CNN actually did an article about video gamers becoming the next wave of body builders because of their ability to stick to a strict progression path that has clearly defined measures of success and steps to get there.

So, the idea of a nerd being a bad thing is not always the case anymore. In fact, video games being the stereo type mechanism that they were 10 years ago no longer holds true. All kinds of people play now.

Yes wargaming and RPGs (not online or video) have a stigma to them, but they also have a level of situational analysis, imagination, strategy, and statistical reasoning. I know that my parents weren't supportive of my wargaming hobbies because they didn't understand them. But when I pointed out these features to them over my PS2 and later my xbox360 that they bought me they piped down. The key is that wargaming also has a face to face social aspect.

All in all, I'm cool with being different because my hobby makes me that way. But honestly, it is no different than someone who spends hours and hours at the driving range. That being said....I lettered in Track and Cross Country in High School, Track in College, and workout regularly now. I'm an Eagle Scout, a MBA/CPA, and do financial analytics as a career.

So, if that is a nerd then so is half of America. Stop labeling yourself or asking others to. I'm just a hard working and married guy with different hobbies than most.

The volume control on our nerdometer goes to 11.

MrMerlin wrote:1000th post here!

Which leads to to this question: Am I a nerd?

Spends hours on the internet discussing unimportant matters with complete strangers; CHECK!
Plays with little plastic men; CHECK!
Has a very well used gamer PC; CHECK!
Has got no Girlfriend; CHECK!
Does not drink alcohol; CHECK!
Reads 1000 page books without being forced to do so; CHECK!
Solves the Rubiks Cube in under a minute with a self made method; CHECK!
is interested in LARP; CHECK!

We are all nerds in one way or another. I spend countless hours on fitness forums and reading up on health and weight lifting. Am I a nerd about that? Call it what you want. Being a nerd is simply a title for a hobby you partake in IMHO. Now let's take a look at your list.


Spends hours on the internet discussing unimportant matters with complete strangers; We all argue on the internet. Same as in class or with friends. It's just a forum of arguing or expressing your opinion. I lurk and post on bodybuilding.com and dakka everyday at work.

Plays with little plastic men; If you are on this forum, that's a given. It's your hobby.

Has a very well used gamer PC; I do as well. I used to be a huge Coutner-strike and Miencraft nerd. That's a hobby of mine

Has got no Girlfriend; That's you're own choice there. Go clubbing/party with the bros at whatever college your attending. Comes in time. Unrelated to the thread.

Does not drink alcohol; Again, unrelated to being a nerd. That's a choice to drink. Drunk 40k is a great game. Kettle One Kill Points is recommended.

Reads 1000 page books without being forced to do so; I'm an English major, I read TONS of books for fun. Currently going through the Riftwar Saga by Ray.E.Feist. Great series. total fantasy nerd book. Whatever I enjoy the series. People either enjoy reading or they don't for fun. It's a hobby.

Solves the Rubiks Cube in under a minute with a self made method; That's all you buddy. Hobby/skill

is interested in LARP; I've LARPED. The owner of my gym does as well. Scary barbarian dude.


Being a nerd is simply enjoy your hobbies.

Spends hours on the internet discussing unimportant matters with complete strangers; CHECK!
Plays with little plastic men; CHECK!
Has a very well used gamer PC; NOPE.jpg
Has got no Girlfriend; CHECK!
Does not drink alcohol; CHECK!
Reads 1000 page books without being forced to do so; NOPE.gif
Solves the Rubiks Cube in under a minute with a self made method; NOPE.XML
is interested in LARP; NOPE.EXE

I don't consider myself to be a nerd despite being much more well versed in nerdery and general lore of the lands than even the biggest self-proclaimed nerds of my school. By and Large, 'nerd' has become a generic term used to describe a variety of people who are are NOT nerds in the least.

I consider myself to be a rather obtuse human being though. Also, 5839th post on a forum about little plastic men and the fluff that surrounds them. Few can claim such a extraordinary feat.

Its all about balance.

Whats the difference between a geek and a nerd?

Well, going by the qualities listed in the OP...

MrMerlin wrote:
Spends hours on the internet discussing unimportant matters with complete strangers;

Well... yeah.

Plays with little plastic men;

Ditto

Has a very well used gamer PC;

Built it myself. Lovely machine. Weighs half a tonne though.

Has got no Girlfriend;

Never been particularly attached to or interested in anyone of either sex long enough to consider a relationship, and I've never made an effort to make time for someone else. Likewise, emotional depth is not my strong suit. Although, there is a girl who is currently in to me with coinciding interests. Maybe something could come from that.

Does not drink alcohol;

Definitely not. I'm a vodka man myself, although I don't mind beer in the slightest.

Reads 1000 page books without being forced to do so; CHECK!

Currently trying to find time to finish The Brothers Karamazov, which is only 796 pages long, but I would imagine it fits. I'd like to get around to reading all of Dostoevsky's work, he's a fantastic author.
In case it's worth noting, I do not particularly care for fantasy or sci-fi books. Visual representation goes a long way for me.

Solves the Rubiks Cube in under a minute with a self made method;

That feels like a waste of time.

is interested in LARP;

Definitely not.

Granted, I do enjoy tabletop wargames and RPGs, I am a gamer with very particular interests, and am an artist focusing in concept and promotional artwork for videogames. My interests are very archetypically 'nerdy,' but I'd hardly say that's the entirety of my identity.

Why wouldn't a nerd drink alcohol?

I am not a nerd.

I am not a sugary candy coated in more sugar, sold in a packet with several others, destined to be consumed.

/end thread.

I’ll give this a try:

Spends hours on the internet discussing unimportant matters with complete strangers; NOPE
Plays with little plastic men; CHECK!
Has a very well used gamer PC; NOPE, I get a sense f accomplishment just by figuring out how turn the stupid thing on.
Has got no Girlfriend; NOPE. Married here.
Does not drink alcohol; NOPE. I Drink, a lot.
Reads 1000 page books without being forced to do so; CHECK!
Solves the Rubiks Cube in under a minute with a self made method; NOPE. Dude, you are the man for this though.
is interested in LARP; NOPE. That’s just too far for me.

on the other hand, some things I do are not very nerdy and even threaten my nerdiness:

wears no oversized glasses CHECK-PRK for the win.
has no tiny, fuzzy upper lip mustache - CHECK
does too much sports to justify serious nerdiness Does PT in the morning count?
has too many friends to be a complete nerd – I think for table top games, this is a given. It takes 2 to play, so you’re bound to make friends.
goes outside too often – Not by choice.
unlike other nerds might actually get a girlfriend soon – I would, but the Wife would kill me…
Enjoys guns – CHECK
Muscle cars – CHECK
Hunting – A little, mostly small game.
Strip club – When I can get away with it, lol.
Tatted up like a biker – CHECK

Yeah, I’m not much of a nerd myself, but I do enjoy sci-fi and cheesy horror movies.

MrMerlin wrote:1000th post here!

Congrats on that, dude. Here are my comments and thoughts:


Spends hours on the internet discussing unimportant matters with complete strangers; CHECK!
Plays with little plastic men; CHECK!
Has a very well used gamer PC; I wish; My frakking PC won't run SW:ToR. It makes my life very sad
Has got no Girlfriend; Has a wife, and she is a gaming enabler
Does not drink alcohol; Drinks it in abundance. I don't think drinking is any more or less a "cool" activity. In fact, my "dorky" friends are usually more fun to drink with
Reads 1000 page books without being forced to do so; I had hope the age of the Kindle had moved us past the "reading is dorky" paradigm. Dammit. I'm sad it hasn't.
Solves the Rubiks Cube in under a minute with a self made method; Rubik's Cubes make me angry. I take the stickers off
is interested in LARP; Only in the bed room.

wears no oversized glasses - Not a dorky thing anymore. See: Hipsters, NBA-Dorks
has no tiny, fuzzy upper lip mustarche - Not a dorky thing anymore. See: White Trash, 15 year olds.
does too much sports to justify serious nerdiness - Sports are good, and I agree that sports are the great equalizer. "What? You paint miniatures? But you also do triathalons and play rugby? Hmm. That's sorta hot"
has too many friends to be a complete nerd - Everyone has friends, even nerds.
goes outside too often - You may be on to something here
unlike other nerds might actually get a girlfriend soon - Is the girlfriend geeky?