Are you a Nerd?

Nerd [nurd]
noun, Slang
1. a stupid, irritating, ineffectual, or unattractive person.
2. an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit: a computer nerd.

This is the definition for a "nerd" as defined by Dictionary.com

Does this accurately display what it means to be a nerd? Does it even really narrow down what it means to be one? I've found that a lot of people around me these days, and not just random people on the street, but also my friends and family are calling themselves nerds. Not only are they giving themselves that title, but they're taking pride in it. What?! Being a nerd is something that has always been frowned upon and nerds are ostracized and cast out of society for their inability to be social and live normal lives!

Well, at least they used to be. The term nerd is technically slang and it has lost some bearing over the years as a solid definition. Being a nerd used to consist of activities like playing chess, reading comic books and playing computer games. Nerds would dedicate a lot of time to studying, wear unfashionable clothing and obsess in uncommon items, activities, and things in general that most people weren't very aware of. Nowadays, playing video games, reading comic books and having obscure taste in things is considered the cool thing to do.

Before, when being a nerd wasn't cool:

The typical wedgie: available in any bully's arsenal.

Now that being a nerd is cool:

Here we see Goku, Ash Catch'em and Ashitaka trip a
jock for being way too cool and talking to girls.

I blame the Internet.

And Hollywood.

The biggest problem nerds had when they were still social outcasts was that they were interested in things that not a whole lot of people around them were. But then the internet was invented. Suddenly there was a way for nerds to connect with fellow nerds across the planet. Over the years, people, and not just nerds, have been able to share their knowledge about everything that they are interested in. Social Media sites help people connect these interests that were once obscure, but now have amassed quite a following. Reading comic books is one of many types of interests that people have taking a liking to. When the movie industry realized how popular comic books were getting, they decided to put more effort into movies (technology sure helped too). Comic book movies used to be straight to video VHS, but now they're Hollywood's biggest summer blockbusters. As it turns out, comic books are pretty damn cool!

So where is the line drawn between nerd and non-nerd these days? No one really knows, but I say if you're going to be one, don't just throw on a Star Wars shirt and start watching Batman movies. You have to actually be interested in something and spend a lot of time involving yourself in that interest! Even popular things like sports and movies are starting to fall into the category of being nerdy when you see sportscasters who can shoot off statistics dating back to the 70's on the spot or even friends of yours with titles like "movie buffs." So I will repeat this one last time, if you want to become a nerd, don't just act the part to the general public, actually be one. Obsess in your interests!

If you are interested in becoming a comic book nerd in particular, this eHow sets up some general guidelines. I get the feeling that as an author she puts herself a little above the average nerd, but this is nonetheless a decent start.