mcgrew's Journal: Ask /.: what is a nerd?

A couple of weeks ago I ran a journal about Wired's picks of the ten reatest geek books of all time. Comments to that journal made me wonder if, like "gay" and "hacker", the meaning of the word "nerd" has changed.

The word was first coined two years before I was born, in the Dr. Suess book If I Ran the Zoo. The protagonist (coincidentally named mcgrew) stated "And then, just to show them, I'll sail to Ka-Troo/And Bring Back an It-Kutch a Preep and a Proo/A Nerkle a Nerd and a Seersucker, too!"

When I was young, nerds were most definitely not cool. We were pretty much ostracized. Some of you think America's hatred of anything educational and worship of ignorance is a new thing; it isn't. In fact, it used to be a lot worse. If, like me, you usually had an armload of books and a slide rule, you were "foureyes" (no LASIC back then, let alone CrystaLens implants, and contacts were expensive and painful), "egghead", or the term for us that became popular about the time I started high school, "nerd".

Nerds were the socially awkward smart kids who used words that weren't in normal folks' vocabularies. The kids who paid attention in science class. The kids who built stuff instead of watching football and drag racing and raising hell.

Even the teachers didn't like us. We asked questions they didn't have answers to, and half the time didn't even understand the questions. You can't really blame teachers for not liking kids who were less ignorant than they were, especially about subjects in their own field.

It appears from slashdot that now, you don't have to be smart to be a nerd. You don't even need to be very literate, let alone read books, especially not nonfiction. Now, it seems, "nerd" is synonymous with "technophile". Now, it seems that all it takes to be a nerd is an iPhone and an iPad; no need to actually understand how one of the things works. But to my mind, the nerds are the guys who designed and built the tech, not the folks who bought it.

So tell me, what's your definition of the word "nerd"?

My Definition

[sjaskow]

I agree with the wikipedia entry that states "Nerd is a term that refers to an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit". That would explain why Wired include the D&D book in it's nerd's list. After all, being obsessed about D&D fits that definition.

Same as yours

[GameboyRMH]

My definition of "nerd" is pretty much the same as yours. If anyone at all is trying to change it, it's the journalists who just play the part of a nerd at their day job, trying to make themselves look legitimate ("oh I have an iPad and I can't put it down, I'm so nerdy LOL right guys? Please keep reading my columns"). I haven't seen anyone on Slashdot using their definition of "nerd" (which is closer to "technophile" or in some cases "sci-fi fan").

To me the big question is whether nerds are going extinct.

Re:

[poofmeisterp]

I'm a third-generation nerd BTW. My dad messed with early home computers and has a comic book & sci-fi collection, and my grandfather built clocks, radios, and some interesting electrical gizmos. It's a miracle that I exist, I know XD

I'm sure you know that Back to the Future popped into my head as soon as I started reading that paragraph. :>

Nerd

[poofmeisterp]

Nerd: (n) 1. A person who possesses knowledge of technical devices that was obtained without the reading of its manual. 2. A person who conceptually and architecturally understands information, in its true or semantic forms, that involves more than the repetition of learned material.

That would be my "today" definition. You and GMH wrote the best stuff I've seen that hits on it 'back in da day'.

However,

It appears from slashdot that now, you don't have to be smart to be a nerd. You don't even need to be very literate, let alone read books, especially not nonfiction. Now, it seems, "nerd" is synonymous with "technophile". Now, it seems that all it takes to be a nerd is an iPhone and an iPad; no need to actually understand how one of the things works. But to my mind, the nerds are the guys who designed and built the tech, not the folks who bought it.

is very true, so that sort of ruins what I say.. But fuck it, I'll say it anyhow. It fits. I know it

Re:

[mcgrew]

A person who possesses knowledge of technical devices that was obtained without the reading of its manual.

No RTFM?

Re:

[poofmeisterp]

You can RTFM all you want, but you're not a geek unless your primary function is to succeed without reading it. That's my useless opinion. :)

Re:

[nukenerd]

Strongly disagree with (1). You definition fits the Apple Fanboi type who refuses to read a manual, because, I believe, they are afraid they might not understand it. I know lots of people like that and they are emphatically NOT nerds. Like my daughter who throws the manual away as soon as she opens a gadget, then fudges on without ever finding its true potential.

Nerds lap up manuals, but don't depend on them. If they feel like it, they will write their own alternative manual, with the fine detail stu

Varies

[pleasance]

I've always thought of "geek" to be someone that has a passion for something, usually technology based, but sometimes other subjects. I think Steve Irwin was a geek, for just animals and not technology.

I think "nerd" has a different meaning, and being more like the genius type. Love to read anything and everything, love to understand, learn, etc. Just generally a borderline genius, and sometimes socially awkward.

I'm not sure of my meanings are "correct" or "accurate" -- but I think they suit the title