Why Nerds are Unpopular

[Ecofarm]

What?

ArcGIS
ArcView

The Microsoft of computer maps and geographic information systems? It was founded by ~5 people in a basement. ArcView will cost a student over $100. ArcGIS costs about 10k.

[Asher]

ESRI is the company behind ArcGIS and other such programs.

I'm aware of what it is, I'm curious about the comment about the economic class. Not sure where that comes from.

No, he's not at all involved with ESRI.

Yes, he is a multi-millionaire (he founded a company that sold to Yahoo for ~50 million in the 90s).

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

See, the hallmark of a nerd isn't high IQ or an interest in sciences. It's limited social skills.

With that in mind, the sort of person who thinks a nerd can be a successful comedian is the sort of person that thinks being a successful comedian just means saying funny things- completely missing the crucial reading and manipulating of audience expectations and reactions.

In other words, someone with limited social skills. A nerd.

Yes, if you think nerds can be successful comedians, you're probably a nerd. Possibly a moron, but more likely a nerd. And it must be comforting to think that people like you can be popular and loved in a field like that, mustn't it? Just like it must comfort a Thalidomide victim to think that he can still be a professional breakdancer. Yes, you might be a limbless stump, but if you're true to yourself, and follow your dreams, and believe in your inner beauty, and all that other stuff that Hannah Montana say, you can be what you want to be, be you a Thalidomide Breakdancer or a Nerd Comedian. Follow that dream, you stumps and Aspies!

[Ecofarm]

How do you know what Hannah Montana says?

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Wait a sec, that would be your definition of what a nerd is. That is not a universal definition.

[Asher]

See, the hallmark of a nerd isn't high IQ or an interest in sciences. It's limited social skills.

I see the disconnect here.

You are defining "nerd" to merely mean socially inept. That's not always the case.

Nerd is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests that are age-inappropriate rather than engaging in more social or popular activities. Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a loner by peers, or will tend to associate with like-minded people.
The term "geek" is often used inter-changeably with the word "nerd," although the two terms have subtle differences in meaning.

This is a reasonable overview of what a nerd is. I knew quite a few nerds who were very socially adept.

[ZEE]

lol nerd argument

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

How do you know what Hannah Montana says?

Simple. I have these gristly flaps on the sides of my head that channel sounds into my skull, where my brain interprets them and derives meaning from them. Happy to help!

[The Emperor Fabulous]

So basically nerdy people have to have Asperger's.

[Asher]

In fact, a great deal of the people I work with (and have worked with in the past few years) are or have been nerds. Many of them have tremendous social skills, but that's because of the nature of the work. You can't be a successful high-end software consultant visiting client sites and making sales pitches if you're what you would define as being a nerd, Laz.

But make no mistake, they are nerds...

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

I see the disconnect here.

You are defining "nerd" to merely mean socially inept. That's not always the case.

Between nerds, quite possibly- but you really should include a few normal human beings into the study in the interests of reflecting reality.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Nerds usually develop social skills, same as everybody else. We just did it later.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

So basically nerdy people have to have Asperger's.

No. That's a lie, and an outrageous one at that.


They have to have Aspergers and bad dress sense.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

See, AAHZ has poor social skills, but isn't a nerd. That's Foetal Alcohol Syndrome- an entirely different pitiful state.

[Asher]

Between nerds, quite possibly- but you really should include a few normal human beings into the study in the interests of reflecting reality.

You're on the losing end of this discussion, Laz.

Nerd does not just mean someone with undeveloped social skills. It simply defines someone who is more or less a very eager learner with intellectual pursuits (and usually accompanied by academic success). In many cases, this person also has undeveloped social skills but in many other cases, they have social skills.

Your definition is off, simply.