First we must define what the word Nerd is to mean in this post.
Nerd :: A person, (male or female), who is deeply interested in things considered to be nerdy. Ex: Dungeons and Dragons, excessive video game usage, collecting trading cards from childrens shows from Asian countries, avid watchers of anime and attenders of "cons" where one makes costumes and dresses up as a character from one, or an assortment of the above mentioned activities.
In society to be branded a "nerd" is not a flattering thing, unless you are among other nerds, then you earn cool points for your nerdiness. If you have not noticed nerds tend to flock together in groups, rather like jocks. Social studies would tell us that this is due to a mutual interest in something. But I sometimes wonder if its a mutual agreement to shun the rest of the world.
Thus my question; why can a person not enjoy and dabble in some of the "nerdy" things and yet retain a balanced life by including other activities as well? From my (more extreme instances of) experience its either or. You are sold out or you are out of the club.
Can any one truly live like that? Or does one merely exist?
What is the draw of nerdy things? The chance to use your imagination even as an adult? The possibility of escape from a life where you cannot fight a troll, fly or perform magic? To drown yourself in something that makes you feel good, but is not real?
And this is where I think it can get dangerous. Immersing yourself into anything and hatching an obsession is never a good thing. And before my calling it an "obsession" upsets you please realize that I am not generalizing all nerds, just talking about some.
According to Webster
Obsession: The domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.
When 80% of almost every conversation with someone is dominated by one subject it would seem logical that their thoughts and emotions were constantly surrounding that subject as well. Imagine a sports buff, crazed shopper or lover of video games or D&D.
I've come to a strange conclusion. Lets talk about porn. People look at porn and become addicted for a variety of reasons. One of the major reasons people like porn is because it's not real. It transports them into a fantasy life where they can do or be anything or anyone they want regardless of their weight, temper or other obligations.They are on an adventure and can make anything they want happen.
Do you see the parallel?
Many people are obsessed with video games, (etc), and love them for some of these very same reasons. They get to live a life of adventure, they get to look however they want, overcome obstacles, win the girl, shoot the bad guy. Its a fake life but they want to spend a lot of time there.
Every time I think of that, I think of porn. Both end up running your life, don't they?
Can you quit whenever you want?
15 hours ago
5 comments:
http://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers#p/u/70/rMweXVWB918
yeah... he's got a different definition of Nerd than I do. I know sure there are many. I guess I don't get why (many) Nerds just want to have a stereotype of an interest (video game, harry potter, etc) instead of just working towards being a fully rounded person with many interests to get REALLY excited about?
"UNICORNS! Which everyone knows were left off the ark for a reason!" LOL
Well for me, because I do consider myself a nerd, my interests are nerdy things, video games, cons, hp, etc. I don't understand how being "a fully rounded individual" comes into play though. Are you saying nerds aren't fully rounded individuals? If you are a nerd and you like "nerdy things" does that mean you are lacking in some way? I just want to understand what you are saying. And as for immersing ones self in something, I believe that is due to the fact that most of the world does look down on "nerdy" things. Most people don't accept cons or the like. To be in a place were people accept you for who you are and not what they want to make you feels nice. I know for me I feel like I have to hide a part of myself from society for fear of being shunned, and it gets to you after a while. Being with people that accpet your interests is nice. Just letting you know.
No no, I was observing that of the people I know who identify themselves as "nerds" according to my definition of Nerd interests; there are very few who have interests outside of the considered "nerd" world. I like and enjoy some nerdy things but I don't understand why people sometimes make it their identity? You know? I think that is the type of Nerd that people are used to seeing and thus they are hard to associate with when they mostly speak of nerdy things, even to non-nerds.
I think that enjoying the "nerdy" arts is something that some people like, and others don't, just like everything else out there. I think Jessie has a point though as there are some people who make the Nerdy things in life the ONLY major part of their life. You can see what people care about based on what they talk about, and if the only thing someone ever talks about is, say, Dungeons and Dragons, I would tell them they need a life. However, if that same someone Played DnD once or twice a month with friends because it was something they enjoyed, that's awesome. People who climb mountains don't do it everyday, and they don't spend 8 hours every day getting ready for the next time they are gonna go. But there is nothing wrong with mountain climbing. Or DND.
Porn however, is wrong. And while the symptoms of addiction/obsession are similar, Pornography is inherently wrong, and therefore, a completely different discussion entirely.
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