12 Comments
User's avatar
Jenn- jscreative's avatar

//“…a nerd is someone who is good at the thing itself but not talking about the thing or proclaiming their ability to do that thing.”//

Well, this describes me pretty well. lol. I’m obsessed with personality typing. 😛 (does just admitting that revoke my “nerd” status?)

Expand full comment
Strawbridge's avatar

I will consult the Nerd Grand Council. But, no, what you describe has no influence on your nerd status. I would file personality tests under something like introverted/extroverted/shy/whatever. Plus nerds are no more. If everyone is a nerd then nerds do not exist. Thanks for reading.

Expand full comment
Jenn- jscreative's avatar

Thanks! I feel better. lol

Expand full comment
jeanne's avatar

A person changes in situations and over time, sometimes from one moment to the next, which involves painful growth sometimes. One of my master degree programs had us write a personal statement, like a who I am that I want to be. It regarded personal integrity. For example, I hope to be compassionate and if I find myself not feeling compassion, even toward myself, then I must stop and ponder what happened to that inner continuity. Yet, when going to a work party, like for Christmas, I try to be quiet over inauthentic so I keep my job. There are times when inauthenticity is appropriate but loss of personal integrity is the boundary. 🖖🏽🙏🏽☮️

Expand full comment
Strawbridge's avatar

I guess I have a different take, but I think we can be authentic 100 percent of the time, because we don’t have to always be all of ourselves at all times. We select what parts we show. The inauthentic person simply manipulates. I like your thoughts on stopping yourself and asking questions of yourself. Nobody is a machine that can simply be tuned to a desired setting. Smart folks will always feel conflicted in given situations. I like to ask myself questions too of why I feel a particular way. Thanks so much for reading and giving us all this to ponder.

Expand full comment
Lily Jedynak PhD's avatar

Thought provoking and provocative, if there’s a difference. Nerds still rule as the cool cats even if they are dead.

Expand full comment
Strawbridge's avatar

There is a difference in my opinion. Yep, I agree that nerds are cool. The death of nerds just means that we are all nerdier. Or, not all, but most. Thanks so much for reading.

Expand full comment
Jane Deegan's avatar

I was/am a creative type and I've tried to hide that feeling it was a character flaw growing up that I eventually hid.

I wonder who I would've been if I could've been myself growing up so I write authentically now with out the masks I felt I needed

Nerds are cool yet intimidating to me. Always have been.

The term is broad though

Now "nerds" are in vogue as authenticity is

Expand full comment
Strawbridge's avatar

Thanks for reading and being so honest. Hiding who you are is so very relatable. As for me, I did not know who I was and was certain I was not allowed to be that--whatever it was. Sometimes I look backwards with some frustration, but the fact is we may have taken this course for a reason. It may be that we needed to experience not being ourselves in order to be so committed to it now. For me, I try to remember that the opportunity exists now to be myself and express what I want to say. But, this is all easier said than done. I live with regrets. Like usual, I identify with what you say and feel more empowered when I hear someone else say things I connect with.

Expand full comment
Jane Deegan's avatar

Very good points! I think so many of us are discovering those "hidden" parts of ourselves and writing is an avenue for that - at least for myself.

Insightful article

Expand full comment
Strawbridge's avatar

Thanks so much.

Expand full comment
Rob Riley's avatar

a lot to think about, young people today are just looking to identify with an image, and thanks to TV and media...being "nerdy" is just that, they don't usually have the intellectual capacity to actually be a true nerd about something, and generally when they've discovered "who they really are", nerdiness becomes a passing phase.

Expand full comment