Nerd: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous edit Next edit →Content deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 01:48, 29 September 2007 view sourceKnowledgeOfSelf (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users48,149 edits Undid revision 161036117 by 69.92.206.24 (talk)← Previous edit		Revision as of 18:35, 30 September 2007 view source Beo7342 (talk \| contribs)7 editsNo edit summaryNext edit →
Line 1:		Line 1:
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	{{otheruses}}
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	{{wiktionarypar\|nerd}}
	] as the archetypal nerd, Lewis Skolnick in '']'']]

			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	'''Nerd''', as a ], ] and frequently derogatory designation, refers to a person who passionately pursues ] or ] knowledge or pastimes rather than engaging in ], such as participating in organized sports or other mainstream social activities. ] defines a nerd as an "unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person: especially: one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits."<ref>''Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.'' "Nerd." </ref> While ''nerd'', '']'', and '']'' share in passionate intellectual pursuits and social ineptitude, ''nerd'' has the added implication of being affable and amusing. A nerd is often excluded from physical activity, and is often considered a ] by peers.
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD

			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	== Etymology ==
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	The word ''nerd'' first appeared in ] book '']'',<ref>], '']'', p. 47, Random House Books for Young Readers, New York, 1950</ref> published in ], where it simply names one of Seuss's many comical imaginary animals. (The narrator Gerald McGrew claims that he would collect "a Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too" for his imaginary zoo.)
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD

			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	The slang goes back at least to ], when it was reported as a relatively new usage in ] first by '']''<ref>'']'' (1951-10-8), p. 16</ref> and then the ], ''Herald-Press''.<ref>St. Joseph, Michigan, ''Herald-Press'' (1952-6-23), p. 14</ref> By the early ], usage of the term spread through the United States<ref>Gregory J.
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	Marsh in Special Collections at the ] library as reported in (1990-6-28) Vol. 4, No. 0235.</ref> and as far as Scotland.<ref>Glasgow, Scotland, ''Sunday Mail''
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	(1957-2-10)</ref> Throughout this first decade, the definition was consistent—a dull person, a synonym of '']'', '']'' and ''scurve''. During the next decade, it took on connotations of bookishness as well as ], and the spelling ''nurd'' began to appear. The ] journal, ''Current Slang'', contains four entries for ''nurd'' and one for ''nerd'' in ] and ].<ref>''Current Slang: A Quarterly Glossary of Slang Expressions Currently In Use'' (1970), Cumulation Vol. III & IV, p. 88.</ref><ref>''Current Slang: A Quarterly Glossary of Slang Expressions Currently In Use'' (1970), Vol. V, No. 1 Summer 1970, p. 21</ref><ref>''Current Slang: A Quarterly Glossary of Slang Expressions Currently In Use'' (1971), Vol. V, No. 4, Spring 1971, p. 17 </ref>
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD

			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	The first recorded use of the ''nurd'' spelling appeared in 1965, in the ] (RPI) ''Bachelor''.<ref>RPI ''Bachelor'' (1965), V14 #1</ref> Oral tradition at RPI holds that the word was coined there, spelled as ''knurd'' ('']'' spelled backwards), to describe those who studied rather than partied. This usage predates a similar coinage of '']'' by author ], but has not been documented prior to the ''nurd'' spelling in 1965. A spelling variant ''gnurd'' was in wide use at the ] by 1971 and continued at least until the mid-1970s.
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD

			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	Other theories of the word's origin include a variation on ], the name of ] ventriloquist dummy, and the ] labs in ] (an old name for modern-day ]), suggesting images of engineers wearing ]s with the acronym N.E.R.D. printed on them, and a claim by ] to having coined ''nurd''.<ref>Personal Correspondence (1973-9-4) reported on </ref> The ] speculates that the word is an alteration of a 1940s term ''nert'' meaning "stupid or crazy person," itself an alteration of '']''.<ref>''The Online Etymology Dictionary.'' "Nerd." </ref> Another theory is that the word "nerd" is an abbreviation of the old English term "ne'er do well" - to describe somebody who will "never do well" in life.{{Fact\|date=September 2007}}
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD

			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	The term itself was used heavily in the American ] – ] television comedy '']'' which was set in ] in the mid-1950s, and in one episode, "They Call It Potsie Love", introduced the reverse-spelled ''dren'' as meaning its opposite.<ref>'']'', episode 53: "They Call It Potsie Love" (])</ref> (This has no known or documented relationship to either instance of the ''drunk''/''knurd'' reversal.) In 1984, the film '']'' was released starring ], and ]. Carradine in particular worked very hard to embody the nerd stereotype and in so doing helped define it for many years to come.{{Fact\|date=September 2007}} Additionally, the storyline presaged and may have helped inspire the "nerd pride" that emerged in the 1990s.
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD

			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	==Characteristics==
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD
	The stereotypical nerd is intelligent but socially and physically awkward. In film and television depictions, nerds are disproportionately ]s with ] and ].<ref>Lori Kendall. "OH NO! I'M A NERD!": Hegemonic Masculinity on an Online Forum. ''Gender Society''. '''14''':256. (2000)</ref><ref>Ron Eglash. Race, Sex, and Nerds. ''Social Text''. '''20:''' 49 (2002) </ref> It has been suggested by some, such as linguist Mary Bucholtz, that being a nerd may be a state of being "hyperwhite" and rejecting ] and ] that "cool" white children use.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/magazine/29wwln-idealab-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin\|title= Who’s a Nerd, Anyway? \|accessdate=2007-07-28 \|author=Benjamin Nugent\|date=July 29, 2007\|work=New York Times Magazine\|}}</ref> However, after the introduction of the ] character on the television series '']'', nerds have been seen in all races and colors, especially, in recent years as a recurring young ] male stereotype. They typically appear either to lack confidence or to be indifferent or oblivious to the negative perceptions held of them by others, with the result that they become frequent objects of scorn, ridicule, ], and ]. They show a pronounced interest in subjects which others tend to find dull or complex and difficult to comprehend, especially topics related to ], ], ] and ]. Nerds are often portrayed as either obese or incredibly thin. They are also stereotyped to playing ] such as ], ], and other things relating to ] and ]. They are also stereotyped for being obsessed with Star Trek and other sci fi shows or movies.
			NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD

	==Nerds and Asperger syndrome==
	Many traits associated with the nerd stereotype, in particular an unusual penchant for accumulating highly specialized or technical knowledge, impaired social ability and/or occasionally poor ], are characteristics of ], an ]. The existence of the nerd concept in popular consciousness might be attributed to a tendency for certain behavioral and cognitive predispositions to covary, which at the extreme results in forms of autism. In support of this possibility, studies using a measure of autistic tendencies, the ] (AQ) developed by ], find that occupations commonly linked to the nerd stereotype, especially fields of science and engineering, are associated with elevated AQ,<ref>S. Baron-Cohen, S. Wheelwright, R. Skinner, J. Martin and E. Clubley, , ''Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders'' '''31''', 5-17 (2001)</ref> with the highest average AQ seen among computer scientists, mathematicians and physicists. Other studies have found associations between heightened AQ and prenatal ] exposure<ref>Rebecca Knickmeyer, Simon Baron-Cohen, Briony A. Fane, Sally Wheelwright, Greta A. Mathews, Gerard S. Conway, Charles G.D. Brook and Melissa Hines. Androgens and autistic traits: A study of individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. ''Hormones and Behavior'', '''50''', 148-153 (2006)</ref> as well as genetic factors,<ref>Francesca Happe, Patrick Bolton, Lee M. Butcher, et al. Genetic heterogeneity between the three components of the autism spectrum: a twin study. ''Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry'' '''45''':691 (2006)</ref> suggesting a distinct genetic and developmental basis for traits associated with the nerd stereotype.

	==Contemporary pride==
	The ] movie '']'' explored the concept of "nerd pride" to comical effect. '']'' regular ] claims this was the movie that inspired him to become "The Genuine Nerd from ]".<ref>{{Citation \| last = Hensley \| first = Dennis \| author-link = http://www.dennishensley.com \| title = Revenge of the nerd: American Splendor's Toby Radloff is out and proud about his sexuality and his nerddom \| magazine = The Advocate \| date = 2003-09-02 \| url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2003_Sept_2/ai_110737685}}</ref> In the ], Toby's friend, ''American Splendor'' author ], was less receptive to the movie, believing it to be hopelessly idealistic. Many seem to share Radloff's view as "nerd pride" has become more widespread in the years since.

	The popular computer-news website ] uses the ] "News for nerds. Stuff that matters." Similarly, the ] quote "Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one" has been popularized on the Internet and incorrectly attributed to ].<ref>{{Citation \| last = Mikkelson \| first = Barbara \| last2 = Mikkelson \| first2 = David P. \| title = Some Rules Kids Won't Learn in School \| year = 2000 \| url = http://www.snopes.com/language/document/liferule.asp \| accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref>

	] professor ] aims to instill pride in nerds:
	<blockquote>"My idea is to present an image to children that it is good to be intellectual, and not to care about the peer pressures to be anti-intellectual. I want every child to turn into a nerd - where that means someone who prefers studying and learning to competing for social dominance, which can unfortunately cause the downward spiral into social rejection."</blockquote>
	:: — Gerald Sussman, quoted by Katie Hafner, '']'', ] ]

	] has been observed on ] in ] since 2006. The holiday tries to vindicate the right to be a nerd and to express it in public without shame.{{Fact\|date=September 2007}}

	An episode from the animated series '']'' titled "Nerdator" has a plot line that involves the use of nerds to power the mind of a ]-like enemy, who delivers a memorable monologue on the importance of nerds:{{Fact\|date=May 2007}}

	:"…what they lack in physical strength they make up in brain power. Who writes all the best selling books? Nerds. Who directs the top grossing ] movies? Nerds. Who creates the highly advanced technology that only they can understand? ...Nerds. And who are the people who run for the high office of the Presidency? No one but nerds."

	The Danish reality TV show '']'', created by ] established a format wherein a team of nerds after two or three months training competes with a professional ] team. The internationally franchised format is generally known as '']'', and is broadcast in Australia under the title '']''.

	] is a genre of hip hop music that has risen in popularity over the last few years. Nerdcore typically express nerd themes often with pride and humor. Notable artists include ], ], ], ], and ]. ] has also recorded "]". The term "nerdcore" has seen wider application to refer to ] (most notably ], ], ], and ]) and other media that express nerd themes uninhibited.{{Fact\|date=May 2007}}

	==Notes and references==
	{{reflist\|2}}

	==See also==
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* '']'', a short film about Nerds
	* '']'', a ] film about college nerds' revenge on the jocks
	* '']''

	==Further reading==
	* Tocci, Jason. "" (Paper given at the . PDF, 180kb).
	* Kendall, Lori. "'The Nerd Within': Mass Media and the Negotiation of Identity Among Computer-Using Men." ''Journal of Men's Studies'', 7(3) (1999): 353-69.
	* Kendall, Lori. "Nerd Nation: Images of Nerds in U.S. Popular Culture." ''International Journal of Cultural Studies'', Vol. 2, No. 2, 260-283 (1999)
	* Kendall, Lori. "'Oh No! I'm a Nerd!': Hegemonic Masculinity on an Online Forum." ''Gender & Society'', 14 (2) (2000): 256-274.

	===Female nerds===
	* Bucholtz, Mary. ""Why be normal?": Language and identity practices in a community of nerd girls." ''Language in Society'' (1999), 28: 203-223. Cambridge University Press.
	* Newitz, A. & Anders, C. (Eds) ''She's Such a Geek: Women Write About Science, Technology, and Other Nerdy Stuff''. Seal Press, 2006.

	===In Japan===
	* '''' (PDF, 366kb). Japan, 2004.
	* Okada, Toshio. ''Otaku Gaku Nyumon'' (Translated: 'Introduction to ]ology'). Ohta Verlag. Tokyo, 1996.

	===Substantial cinema-released documentaries===
	* '''' (2004) (A feature-length documentary on U.S. fanzine editors).
	* '''' (2006) (Feature-length documentary on Toby Radloff).

	===Background material===
	* Frayling, Christopher. ''Mad, Bad And Dangerous?: The Scientist and the Cinema''. Reaktion Books, 2005.

	==External links==
	<!-- Wikipedians: because of recent spam-links (a form of Misplaced Pages vandalism), please discuss external links on the talk page first. Thanks. -->
	* A discussion forum for nerds.
	* An essay by Paul Graham about the conformist society in American highschools.
	* Graphic design project about nerds.
	* A short description of the differences between geeks and nerds.
	* , an article in the ]

	]
	]
	]
	]
	]

	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]

Revision as of 18:35, 30 September 2007

NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD NERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERDNERD