I don't mind being called a nerd. I don't have all of the social faults described in the article, but I certainly have many of them -- enough that I immediately sent this to girlfriend with the suggestion that she read it.

Most geeks (people who have exceptional interest and ability in a particular field, usually technical) are also nerds (people who are socially awkward or abnormal). Rather than pretending that this isn't the case, why not accept reality and try to find the best way of dealing with it?

Why? Because it's not "reality". The described "nerd" traits are largely a self-imposed condition, and glorification of them only makes them worse.

There are plenty of people out there who are exceptionally good with "nerdy" subjects, yet whom also have social lives, enjoy travel and human contact, and find a life spent locked in front of a computer to be extremely limiting. And those people are often the most respected and honored by their peers.

The common thread that I sense in these kinds of articles is one of defensiveness -- here's why I'm different, and why you should treat me with kid gloves. And I suppose that's a natural behavior for a group that perceives itself as marginal, but it's not anything particularly insightful or life-enhancing.

This is a fantastic comment. You are absolutely right.

Seconded. Spot on comment

I have most of these characteristics, but I'm also confident in my social skills and well-roundedness. I just use "nerd" as a convenient word to describe those aspects of my personality, and people who know me just add that to their already good impression of me. Read my "Nerd Report Card" at http://www.pchristensen.com/blog/2007/11/12/a-nerds-dirty-la...

I don't consider these "social faults". A social fault is when you think one thing and say another to a person, or worse, talk about them instead of to them. Are these "nerd" or "human" phenomena.

I liked the article. Even though it's tongue in cheek, anything that helps me help others understand me is greatly appreciated.

Now leave me alone; I'm busy.

function NotSureYouAreANerd() {

SenseOfHumor.show()

}

makesLotsOfMoney = true;

isConfidentInAbilities = true;

function AmINerd()

{

    if (isConfidentInabilities && makesLotsOfMoney)
    {
        return true;
    }
    else
    {
        throw nullSenseOfHumorException;
    }

}