The Big Picture: Brainiacs: The Once & Future Nerds
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I sort of liked how Yahtzee described a nerd as a person that fixates on one (or few) specific things and either becomes very skilled in it or very knowledgeable on the subject(s). Then I realised that does sound a lot like Aspergers syndrome.
Could be a tough call there. Sheldon on TBBT for example fits pretty much all the definitions of what makes somebody a high-functioning autistic or Aspergian (unsure of that's a word, sure I heard it somewhere) but Jim Parsons and Chuck Loore swear they had not heard of it before making the character.
You definitely can safely say that most nerds in pop culture could very well be considered well off. I mean sure, most are stereotypes to varying degrees like they still live at home in their late 20s despite obviously making enough money or are socially awkward, but most tend to be very skilled in one or more fields of science. Heck, I'm surprised there aren't more millionaire characters that just don't care to flaunt it.
Could be a tough call there. Sheldon on TBBT for example fits pretty much all the definitions of what makes somebody a high-functioning autistic or Aspergian (unsure of that's a word, sure I heard it somewhere) but Jim Parsons and Chuck Loore swear they had not heard of it before making the character.
You definitely can safely say that most nerds in pop culture could very well be considered well off. I mean sure, most are stereotypes to varying degrees like they still live at home in their late 20s despite obviously making enough money or are socially awkward, but most tend to be very skilled in one or more fields of science. Heck, I'm surprised there aren't more millionaire characters that just don't care to flaunt it.
I have Asperger syndrome. so if what you said is true then I am a nerd. I have never seen my self as one. although I am convinced that Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory also has Asperger syndrome. he is showing all the symptoms fore that. but than again he also show all symptoms fore being a nerd but still.
i feel like this should have been two separate episodes one for the past history of the meaning of nerd and the second how we currently define the word. as for myself ive always considered myself to be a nerd im a quiet introverted person who held on to toys and child's TV shows longer then my peers appeared to. combine this with my lack of athleticism makes me feel kinda nerdy.
Nerd is still employed in my secondary school(which I have just finished, thank god) as a term for anyone who displays excellence and enthusiasm into a subject.
Thing is, people only used this label up until Year 10, wherein people became more accepting, and I became more assertive, and less shy.
Or it could just be me, but whilst the way that people are identified by others as "nerd" is still a bit old, I feel that I am not stereotypically a nerd: I am tall, large and quite assertive(at least in school).
In my country however(birth country, I live in the UK, but hail from Lithuania, Klaipeda) or at least the city in which I was born, nerd is replaced by "computer-fetishist"(rough translation: kompiuterastas) and is applied to anyone who spends time in front of a computer and doesn't participate in sports(seriously, I met one of my dad's friends, and when my dad said that I don't do sport, he replied with "He must be a kompiuterastas").
So for a large part of my life(I am only 16, so yes, a large part) it has been used in the traditional sense, and as an insult.
Thing is, people only used this label up until Year 10, wherein people became more accepting, and I became more assertive, and less shy.
Or it could just be me, but whilst the way that people are identified by others as "nerd" is still a bit old, I feel that I am not stereotypically a nerd: I am tall, large and quite assertive(at least in school).
In my country however(birth country, I live in the UK, but hail from Lithuania, Klaipeda) or at least the city in which I was born, nerd is replaced by "computer-fetishist"(rough translation: kompiuterastas) and is applied to anyone who spends time in front of a computer and doesn't participate in sports(seriously, I met one of my dad's friends, and when my dad said that I don't do sport, he replied with "He must be a kompiuterastas").
So for a large part of my life(I am only 16, so yes, a large part) it has been used in the traditional sense, and as an insult.
Yeah, I even have an unsubstantiated theory that nerds and even early otaku in Japan all suffered from some form of Autism (i myself have Aspergers). All of the characteristics are evident: limited social interactivity, attachment to items and trends, and in extreme cases like otaku, lack of emotional intelligence in terms of identification and how to respond.DVS BSTrD said:
I have a feeling that people are starting to recognize this and this is going to bring up issues of identification and boundaries between severity as Bob pointed out
I've never really self-identified as being a "nerd"/"geek". During the time I was a socially-awkward teenager I only heard it used as an insult. By the time I started coming across "proud nerd" stuff, I'd gained confidence, lost weight, started taking part in sports and had a boyfriend. So I didn't see myself as fitting that stereotype any more anyway.
I still occasionally get called a "nerd" by friends/family, but only in a teasing way.
I still occasionally get called a "nerd" by friends/family, but only in a teasing way.
I would say so, a fair amount of autistics are straightforward in terms of understanding situations and may have problems understanding the emotional side of arguments. House is a good example: he's cocky and overly sure of himself but a lot of conflict comes from him not emphasizing with emotional issues and focusing on the medical side only.Monxeroth said:
It is kind of odd to think that the first ever nerds may have been people suffering actual issues. Doing research on otaku, a lot of them were forced into their position by a harsh social structure that forces people to conform and since autism make it hard for people to conform to a lot of societal rules, it would lead to problems.
I honestly think that more research needs to be done on this potential connection to see if it bares out.
Interesting discussion, Bob, I never thought too much about the etymology of "nerd" and "geek".
Also, as a geek with Asperger's (diagnosed by a professional, thank you very much), I suppose there may be something to it... or maybe it's just a coincidence.
Also, as a geek with Asperger's (diagnosed by a professional, thank you very much), I suppose there may be something to it... or maybe it's just a coincidence.
What I find really interesting is that, for all of the stereotypes, a lot of nerd culture is based around events or interests as a way to facilitate socializing. You ever play DnD alone? You enter a fandom as a way to talk to people and as a vehicle of expression. Sports geeks have their fantasy league, and there's some weird tumblr follower and facebook friend collection culture I'm just not a part of. Then there's the world of memes, which is weird. Hell gun culture has something that they describe as their Barbies.Monxeroth said:
So if nerds are associated with a spectrum disorder, then (and if you don't go completely insular) nerd culture is some grand-scale socialization therapy?
Also, hey Bob, I noticed that you just made a case that fake-geeks don't logically exist. Sneaky.
First, Autism and Autist/Autistic is the new "******", "retard". It just rolls off the tongue.Monxeroth said:
There are quite a few of Autistic bronies and whovians, and other members of a fandom. But for MLP it makes sense on a certain level. Part of being autistic is having trouble picking up on social cues. Cartoon characters express what emotions they are feeling to the nth degree, because they are cartoons and animation allows for that. This allows them to follow what is happening and have an easier time doing so. MLP being the big explosion of recent years, coupled with the show being about friends and making/maintaining friendships is something someone with autism might find appealing. That is pretty much the heart of the matter.
