Skip to main content

Why is gamer now synonymous with nerd?

Why does it seem like the term "nerd" has altered so much over the years? When I was growing up, "nerds" were exactly what the Revenge of the Nerds films showcased - extremely bright, socially awkward, fashion unconscious individuals. Looking at the dictionary, it backs up my definition, as it reads: "a person who behaves awkwardly around other people and usually has unstylish clothes, hair, etc." or "one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits."

So why is it that nowadays people tend to associate nerds with video games? I could understand this in certain contexts. Like with me, for example, I've never lost at the word games Scramble With Friends or Ruzzle (Boggle). In this context, with them being word games and all, I could understand being labeled a nerd. I could also understand this with some strategy-related games. However, I think the term "nerd" is being loosened a bit much when we associate any gamer with it.

Back in the '80s and '90s, some people were specifically labeled as computer nerds. They were masterminds of the computer and seemed to enjoy spending time on there a bit too much. Masterminding a program on a computer is one thing, though. When I think of a person doing that, the word "nerd" definitely springs to mind. Playing a video game for many hours over the course of a day doesn't shout "nerd" to me like the before-mentioned scenario. It's not like when I was growing up and playing games like 10-Yard Fight and Double Dribble on the Nintendo, I got labeled a nerd. When I hear people make this loose association, the following conversation comes to mind:

Christine Grown: "So, where's your boyfriend at?"

Barb Mature: "He's back at the house playing Mortal Kombat. What a nerd, right?"

Christine: "Seriously? Mortal Kombat?"

Barb: "Yeah, I know! Uber-nerd right there!"

Christine: "Is he any good?"

Barb: "Not really, but he and the guys seem to really enjoy it. They're such nerds!"

Christine: "So, your boyfriend's not any good at the game - a fighting game no less - and this makes him a nerd?"

Barb: "Well, yeah!"

Christine: "Okay then..."

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerd
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Boycotting jukeboxes because of TouchTunes

I love music and enjoy hitting the bar(s) over the weekend, so naturally, when the mood strikes me, I've never been coy about playing some songs on the jukebox. This past Thursday, a friend of mine turned 50, so several friends of her's, including myself, all met up to celebrate the occasion. At around 9:30, a friend of mine and I both chipped in $5 to play some songs on the jukebox. Four hours and 231 skips later, we gave up on hearing the songs we had selected, and went home knowing we had just wasted $5. This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened to me (and many others), and due to that, I'll be boycotting jukeboxes. Why? The scam known as TouchTunes. You see, here's how the plot typically breaks down. A person (or group of people) downloads the TouchTunes app on his/her phone, consumes one too many adult beverages, and due to this, has less care for spending extra money to hear the songs of their choosing right NOW. That's the thing with TouchTun
2 comments
Read more

The difference between "looking" and "checking out"

I may be way off with these numbers, but it's my approximation that at least 75% of individuals whom are involved in a serious relationship feel it's perfectly acceptable to "check out" members of the opposite sex they're not involved with. Meanwhile, approximately 25% either don't feel this is acceptable or aren't sure about the matter. I hadn't thought about this matter for a while, but since I've been dating a woman for about 8 months, the topic has been pondered about some. When reading or hearing others discuss this very issue, I often times hear comments similar to the following: "It's human nature to look." "There's nothing wrong with checking others out. I'm sure he/she does it too!" "It's fine to do it. Just don't tell your boyfriend/girlfriend about it or do it in front of them!" "It's natural to find people attractive." When observing the array of comments, I i
Post a Comment
Read more

The verdict is in. To no one's surprise, Jonathan Hoenig has been found guilty of being an idiot.

Just recently, when discussing the Michael Brown shooting and whether or not race had anything to do with it, Fox News contributor Jonathan Hoenig said, "You know who talks about race? Racists." One moment while I provide Mr. Hoenig with the well deserved slow-clap. :: slow-claps for two seconds :: So, that was quite the line by Mr. Hoenig, wasn't it? "You know who talks about race? Racists." Well, wasn't he just talking about race? So, by his own words, I guess that makes him a racist. Also, if he wants to be consistent, does this mean that people whom talk about gender are sexists and people whom talk about sexual orientation are homophobes? With that line of thinking, Hoenig would engage in the following back-and-forths: Hoenig: "So, who are you voting for?" A woman: "The Democratic candidate, because he's been adamant about his support for equal rights for women." Hoenig: "You sexist feminist nazi!"
Post a Comment
Read more