What you don’t know about ‘Nerds’!

How many of us in the room(blog visitor's vicinity in this context ;-) ), have ever been proclaimed or referred to as a nerd? C’mon guys, we can be honest, and hopefully nobody else is around, raise your hands(to yourself). Don’t worry, it’s ok to be a nerd! In fact, it’s fabulous to be one.  Why?..

Because: Nerds are nerds <virtuoso learners/assimilators>, not nerds <lull, dull, unattractive and boringly studious>.

Wikipedia says 'Nerd' is a pejorative term used to describe a person who is overly intellectual, socially impaired or obsessive about technology, fiction or fantasy, with almost no regard to mainstream activities like sports, movies etc.

And in the average non-nerdy terms: Big, thick spectacles, shy & socially awkward introvert, lost in his/her own world, with bare min or no maneuver of striking up attention grabbing, interesting conversations.

I don't fit in that frame of reference, just described? Do I ? Not really, right? Don't give me that look... I am not crazy, my mom had me tested. Bazinga! :-)

Being a nerd for the most of my life and having known so many others, as friends and family, I have a very different take on nerds. I would summarize that in 3 key points. It’s not an exhaustive list but self-sufficient. Firstly,

1. Nerds have a life, beyond books: Many of us like reading blogs, articles, novels, fiction/non–fiction, and some love newspapers. Sadly, while common people are called avid readers, know the term for nerds? 

"Bookworms!"

My college junior looked really puzzled the first time we had a conversation about music, movies, LAN games etc. I invited her to my room to explore my collection. She paused for a while and said “But, we have heard stories of how dangerous it is to step inside your room”. I was like, what, "dangerous?". Then she says(mockingly), "Yes, your batch mates say that it rains books in your room all the time, chances are that I will be drowned or hurt.”

When she discovered my library of 37 GB songs, 50 GB movies etc., she realized that nerds are not maniacs, and being submerged in books is not the sheer source of pleasure.

Likewise, most of my nerdy friends, take great interest in movies, drama, music, sports etc.

Secondly,

2. Nerds aren't a closed community: Nerds befriend 'nerds' and only 'nerds', but that’s not true. While you may say that birds of a feather flock together, for the kinship connection they share. I would remind you of the old saying that opposites attract, like protons attract electrons.

Nerds are not at all a closed fraternity. Not all of my friends are nerds. Some of the most jovial, fun, entertaining, terrifying, rebellious and violent(of course, no terrorists) people have me in their circles. It’s not that way from day 1, many of them dreaded the idea of talking to me initially because of the same misconception. But after collaborating on some of the most memorable pranks and mischiefs, building strategies for things, from troubling staff to class bunks to strikes, the line of me being nerdy and they not, almost blurred.

And last but not the least,

3. Nerds aren’t teachers’ pets: Remember the mean, unfair terminologies, commonly used for nerds:

a. Helping teachers/lecturers carry books & answer sheets is 'Bootlicking',

b. Appreciating them for genuine reason makes you 'Moron'

c. Agree to them for just once and you become a 'Loser' 

In fact most others would keep an eye on how many times did you visit the staff room, or received favors due to your past good performance etc. In fact, for many, a nerdy + a teacher = a dog + its owner.

I remember, during one of the lectures, I was a little unwell and  so, was sitting down quietly amongst clamor. The faculty inquired if it was the noisy/talkative batch-mates or him (in a funny tone) that’s bothering me. I ignored the question, for obvious reasons. While everyone else was busy talking, almost everyone knew of the question just raised. 

He repeated his question a few more times, indicating that he expects an answer, that too in his favor. Ultimately, I said, you know, the classmates are great, I love their company. That's why I am here in spite of being ill. I did not bother about the take away for him, but I wasn't lying. It did result in a burst of giggles in the room. He was offended for sure. I thought "Bazinga! I don't care, you forced me say the truth!". I cared only later when I almost flunked in his subject(got only passing mark). Reason?, that goes without saying.

Next time you see a nerd, take him/her aside. And say, I know you have a life beyond books, nerds do befriend normal people, not just nerds and you aren’t even a teacher’s pet. I know all of that, now tell me who you are and what makes you, ‘YOU’. 

I outlined just 3 points but I believe there are many more mind-blowing facts yet to be revealed. So, just pay a bit more attention and wipe out all your misconceptions to discover the implicit and unnoticed explicit awesomeness of the beautiful creatures called nerds. And who knows, you might run into next Marissa Mayer, Cristiano Ronaldo and may be even Russell Peters.

Disclaimer: This was the content of my third speech at toastmasters club at SAP. This is certainly not the exact replica(some examples have been omitted).