How to Become a Nerd (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 08:07

Bill Gates has a famous piece of advice: "Be nice to nerds. You might end up becoming a nerd employee." In many ways, he's right: nerds (or nerds) run the world, if not actually rule the world. A nerd is someone who can be so interested in quantum mechanics or intermittent equilibrium that he forgets anything else going on right now. A nerd can be very concerned with punctuation because punctuation has a certain set of rules and helps people communicate. A nerd can be someone who simply doesn't know how to ask a girl out because she finds engineering so sexy. However, every nerd is different. Whatever definition of nerd you use, read the information below on how to think like a nerd, act like a nerd, and maybe even dress like a nerd.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Think Like a Nerd

Step 1. Know the difference between nerd, geek, and dork

If anyone cared about the subtle differences between the three, he was a nerd. Mapping out the differences is important but not necessary, because sometimes these three things overlap significantly.

• A nerd considered a very intelligent person who has a singular interest in an academic matter. He tends to be unsocial or clumsy in social situations, so attracted to his singular intellectual interest.
• A geek is considered a person who is always interested in a certain area of activity or field, but is not necessarily academically inclined or not socially proficient.
• A dork considered to be slightly more stuttering and also not socially proficient, but may not be interested in certain academic subjects or demands.

Step 2. Be singular

In other words, act the only way you know how, in your own unique way. Nerds are notoriously eccentric because they are, each of them, quite unique. Live your life, every day, as if it were completely your own, like you were the master of your own ship. If you need inspiration, read about some of history's most famous geeks. Here are two quick vignettes of so-called nerds doing completely what they love:

• Thomas Edison, for example, spent 18 hours a day tinkering with basic electronics in an age when the field was still a sham. Edison worked to invent the light bulb, alkaline battery, and electric train, along with a thousand other patents, at a time when these inventions were considered mysterious and wondrous. Edison was a classic nerd.
• Alan Turing is yet another famous nerd. Half-hero, half-scapegoat, Alan Turing is credited with helping to crack the Nazi Enigma code at the end of World War II, as well as playing an important role in developing the first computer of the 20th century. Despite his achievements, he was later sued by the British government for homosexual relations and forced to receive estrogen injections to "neutralize his libido." Turing committed suicide not long after his trial.

Step 3. Find a field or subject that you can be passionate about

It doesn't need to be related to science, although researchers found that a large number of autistic individuals (who often qualify as nerds) tended to be more interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (the MIPA field). Learn as much as you can about the subjects you are interested in, and preserve that knowledge so you can use it effectively in the future.

Step 4. Ask, constantly

Many nerds are defined by their ability – some say they have a 'custom' – to question the information they receive until they are satisfied with its authenticity or understand the underlying logic. To be a geek, you are thirsty for knowledge. To become thirsty for knowledge, you must constantly question the quality, source, and usefulness of the information you receive.

• Don't trust information just because it comes from the authorities. Nerds understand that authority figures can sometimes go unnoticed for providing misleading or false information simply because they are in power. The difference between a nerd and a subordinate (unemployed worker/regular laborer) is that a nerd will research the Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers to see if they are correct, whereas a subordinate (layman) takes information/propaganda for granted.
• Dig to the root of the problem. A nerd will understand the problem inside and out. A nerd will not rely on rote information, but rather on understanding concepts. If a nerd asks the question "Why is the sky blue?" And given the answer, "Because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than red light," the next question must be: "Why do molecules in air scatter blue light from the sun more than red light?" He will continue the flow of questions until the answers relate to something he already fully understands.

Step 5. Dig into the details

The devil (read: uncertainty) may be in the details, but that doesn't mean you can't make out with him. (That's Vladimir Nabokov's advice to his students.) A nerd may prefer clear details over general statements because details can be checked against reality more easily than generalizations. The nerd cares more about the truth than looks smart, so he gets to the details as a way to investigate the reality.

Naturally, nerds tend to be interested in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, namely: the MIPA major: MIPA clearly deals with facts and systems observed in nature, while many other disciplines are more subjective and lacking in objective fact-checking.

Step 6. Discuss the gray area

No, this has nothing to do with fashion; but a matter of thinking. Nerds tend to see things as gray while other people see black and white. This is because nerds are good at examining pros and cons, comparisons and contrasts, theses and rebuttals. They pay little attention to their own personal opinion and focus on "quantitative" facts. At times, this makes them seem like a pendulum, constantly going back and forth between "parties" of an argument (it can sound like they are arguing with themselves). In fact, they are gathering information and waiting for a standard "opinion" (conclusion) that is already biased and then slaughtering it with the power of facts, instead of stating opinions (hypotheses) that begin with justifications for facts that happen to support.

• There are several scientific/philosophical theories put forward by nerds who like the gray area. It might be helpful to understand just a few of them:
• Paradigm Shift by Thomas Kuhn: The period of "normal science" is interrupted by a period of "revolutionary science," called a paradigm shift which is constantly being discussed and elaborated (defined, diagrammed, sequenced, mapped, extrapolated, encompassing and forming new mixtures, new realities…). For MIPA adherents, a paradigm shift in the form of a completely new focus of scientific thinking and concentration.
• Incompleteness by Kurt Gödel: It is impossible to establish consistency and completeness in a formal logical system. In other words, all consistent axiomatic formulations in number theory involve indeterminable propositions/assumptions (the basic elements of mathematics include points, lines, planes and undefined spaces, which are nevertheless the basis for defining most areas of mathematics).

Part 2 of 3: Act Like a Nerd

Step 1. Immerse yourself in your interest

Nerds have a reputation for wandering off because their minds wander far away or think about complex correlations and equations. Because of this, don't be afraid to come across as unreachable, because that's who you are. Immerse yourself in intellectual areas that please you and help you feel connected to the world, even if it means you seem disconnected from the "depth" and "distant" of your involvement in living a single interest.

• Your interests can range from cryptology to philosophy, to Norse mythology, to brewing beer. It can be anything from morphology to acridilogy, to numismatics or philately. Whatever it is, just enjoy it!
• Set short and long term goals for yourself. The earlier you define certain goals (perhaps an outline of constant variables and parameters, rubrics, or protocols), the easier it will be to achieve them. Determining the purpose of absorbing the benefits becomes even more nerdy!

Step 2. Don't be afraid to go beyond the mundane

Think differently. Don't be afraid to indulge in unpopular ideas or activities. (Be aware that you probably don't really know what's popular and what's not. It doesn't matter!)

• If you find that coating your car's antenna with aluminum provides better signal reception to AM stations in your car, then go for it. A nerd doesn't care how his car looks if the radio station is well received.
• If you decide that coding all night and eating peanut butter toast makes you happy and your stomach satisfied, go for it. A nerd who doesn't care about lack of sleep and an unclear diet makes himself the object of mystery.
• If you propose to test all your friends for antibodies that are not yet known to science, do so. A nerd doesn't care if the world doubts his methods and challenges his findings.

Step 3. Always learn

A nerd is always on a constant quest for knowledge. A nerd doesn't always care whether the information he receives has any use. Just the fact that it's simple, deep, or counter-intuitive enough to make it cool.

Step 4. Use the right words

Nerds are usually quite proficient with words because they care about getting things right. There's nothing wrong with them being able to read more in a month than the average American reads in a year. Still, the misconception is that nerds use complicated words. Wrong. Nerds use the right word in a context. Sometimes, the right word happens to be a complicated word. Highly intelligent nerds have the ability to use very basic words to explain very complex subject matter.

Make dictionaries and thesaurus your friends. Whenever you come across a word you don't know, refer to the dictionary. Whenever you believe you can use a better word in the circumstances, refer to the thesaurus

Step 5. Read voraciously

Read everything in your area of interest you can find, including reference books and encyclopedias. Reading and watching the daily news is enough to stay informed about what's going on outside your community.

• Learn several related languages. Try to learn a language just for fun; or maybe because the material you are studying has original sources in the original language. Experiment with web-based machine translation.

Extra credibility for nerds learning "dead" or fictional languages, such as Cuman, Eyak, and Karankawa, or Peri, Dothraki, or Klingon. Dead language or fiction is extraordinarily nerd

• Make sure your bookshelf/ebook collection is full. Prioritize nonfiction over fiction, but feel free to have fiction books if that's the only thing you plan on reading.
• Note that informative reading doesn't have to mean finishing bland and heavy printed books. For entertaining and informative reading, try the hilarious physics classic Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman, one of Brian Greene's wildly popular and accessible science fiction books, or a well-researched work of historical fiction like I, Claudius (whose main character survives a particularly brutal period in the Roman Empire) or the comical novel Flashman (whose anti-hero is a rogue from the British colonial empire).

Step 6. Pay attention to school students

Try to get a chair where you can clearly hear, see the teacher and the blackboard, and pay attention. A good goal for self-regulation is to try to get mostly A's in everything you do at school, including homework. Take notes, study for tests, and focus. Above all, come to school ready to learn and try not to worry too much about social matters if they are uninteresting or uncomfortable. However, keep in mind that just because you're a nerd, doesn't mean you should care about school. Many nerds (including Bill Gates) fail or are close to failing at school.

• Try some extracurricular activities, such as a robotics or math club, chess, or drama. Try to balance your extracurriculars so they don't bring your grades down.
• Ask lots of questions in class. There's no such thing as a stupid question, remember? The only stupid questions are the ones you didn't ask.
• Go beyond what is taught in class. YouTube channels such as Khan Academy, Crash Course, Vsauce, numberphile, CGP Grey, offer the opportunity to advance in the comfort and enjoyment of your computer. This saves the hassle of hiring a tutor.

Step 7. Direct any anger or disappointment you may have into your passions

Nerds deal with their anger and heartbreak in productive ways: they practice music, create art, or adjust their debate presentation changes before they attack others. Don't make yourself depressed. What other people say about you is not necessarily who you really are.

Step 8. Find good pleasures

Nerds don't need fun and danger to have fun. They enjoy better fun, like LAN parties, watching Star Wars, or building and launching rockets. This activity can be enjoyed alone (alone is not a bad thing) or with friends (more fun!).

Notes: play games like Magic the Gathering or D&D, dress up as your favorite character for the movie premiere, and LARPing is more geeky than nerdy, but that doesn't mean that you should stay away from it.

Step 9. Find friends with similar interests

They can be nerds like you, but they don't have to be. While geeks often penetrate between social groups, nerds are more likely to associate with other nerds, due to shared interests. Maybe if you're an abstract thinker, try to find a more practical or technical nerd, and vice versa. Having a friend, or a set of friends, complete you is a good thing.

• If you don't know a nerd who is interested in what you do, find an online community or try to get your own friends interested in certain aspects of something nerd-related. Internet networks are increasingly becoming an important social community for nerds, especially because of the focus on freedom of expression and usability as a realm for technology.
• If you are prone to being bullied or beaten, consider forming a strategic friendship with someone (preferably not a nerd) who might stand up for you in an emergency. Maybe he gets help with his homework, and you get his muscle use when you need it. Being a nerd doesn't mean you can't be diplomatic too.

Step 10. Focus on the positive

You're a nerd and you know it. You are also happy and optimistic. It's because your life is pretty good. You like yourself, even if it doesn't seem very much to other people. (That's okay, they just don't understand you.) The friends you have are really good people who make you feel like living. Life is pretty good.

Part 3 of 3: Dress Like a Nerd

Step 1. Don't worry too much about your clothes

The most important part of looking like a nerd is not caring about your appearance. Nerds tend to like clothes that are efficient and comfortable. So if by any chance the most worn-out item in your wardrobe is a pair of sweatpants with lots of pockets, so be it. Just accept it!

Step 2. Use your shirt to make a geeky reference or joke

Video game characters and superheroes, such as Megaman, Mario, Superman or Sonic, are obligatory. Math jokes, or less obvious topics (binary code, Latin, etc.) can be great too, as can movie references.

Step 3. Wear glasses if you can't see

Hipsters have taken the lens from the lows of '90s fashion to highs that are rich, plentiful, and suddenly cool for twenties and teens. Does not matter. If you are a nerd and you are nearsighted, wear your glasses. Your nerd level will increase drastically.

Suffice it to say, if you're trying to make a "fashion statement" with your outfit, chances are you can't resemble a nerd. Almost by definition, nerds don't really care what they wear. Therefore, nerds who care about what they wear are not true nerds

Step 4. Wear clothes that don't fit

The nerd is known in the fashion world for wearing clothes that don't flatter their body type and are incredibly out of date, perhaps because their clothes are second-hand. So, if you want to appear nerdy choose your outfit by lottery, not by carefully tailoring clothes.

Step 5. Wear a preppy style

Some nerds, but not all, have a preppy look. Chinos, all buttoned up (tucked into pants of course), vest, and leather shoes, with a little kink to put it all together. Especially when worn to informal occasions, this style will have you pegged as a nerd in no time.

Tips

• Here is a list of suggestions of different types of nerds, not stereotypes; this is a sketch, no "rule":

  • Anime/Manga Nerd: A nerd who is obsessed with anime or manga, and basically anything related to Japan in general. These kinds of nerds also call themselves Otaku, which is a Japanese derogatory meaning for 'fanatic'.(The term is generally not recognized outside of Japan, and is used primarily by American anime and manga fans.) The Otaku community isn't just a group of diehard fans; they are often prolific and creative in writing fan fiction. Otaku often attend anime and manga conventions, and are occasionally involved in cosplay. Otaku are usually commonplace, and easy to find in the nerd group.
  • Music nerd: also called geek band. This nerd is good at music. They are usually seen with their musical instrument of choice or secretly imitating the intricate rhythm of the drums.
  • DJ nerd - nowadays many just pretend to be a "DJ" - but a true nerd will practice constantly, collect huge amounts of vinyl, and be able to remember artist, name, record label, year of release of song, and a million vivid details others about every record ever released in their chosen favorite genre.
  • Computer nerd: This nerd is generally considered the most useful, and can compile a kernel in a jiffy. Usually seen putting the finishing touches on a website or helping computer-technology gurus.
  • Video game nerds: these nerds are becoming more and more common. Always seen playing and competing in the latest games, they are the founders of the '1337' language, and usually recognize each other by conversing with it. Is a subclass of computer nerd.
  • Factoid nerd: annoying at times, but somehow charming. Can read dozens of things you don't need to know - from the comprehensive "Hamlet Soliloquy" to the nutritional value of goat's milk (not just trivia, but things that might be important in your basic knowledge).
  • History nerd: Knows everything about the Renaissance, or the colonial period of North America. Comparing daily life historical events. A historian from a young age and can beat students in Pancasila class.
  • Competitive nerd: comparing results too often; may breathe hard, and also like to glance over to see who hasn't finished in their marginal time -- must be the first to finish -- or at other times be the last to finish if depth and precision are required.
  • Nerds are at once geeky: they are gifted with a natural lack of style and elegance. They have difficulty participating in conversations about topics that are not their obsession.
  • Drama nerd: has a sharp expression, which is rare in other types of nerds. They know many intricacies of theatrical arts, including dance, mime, choir, and so on.
  • Math nerd: usually knows calculus or other forms of advanced math at a young age. They can relax during their math class and still get an A. You can find math nerd materials like tutorials on the Internet.
  • Herd nerd: not really a nerd- a 'herd nerd' will be with a large group of people who are loosely classified as nerds. They may or may not be true nerds.
  • Science nerd: initially general science, he almost always specialized in one form of science (biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology) at a very young age and managed to become a super-specialist.
  • "Sci-Fi" nerds: nerds who love Star Wars, X-Files, Comics, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stargate SG-1 or Stargate Atlantis, Lexx, Farsape, Andromeda, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Zombies and/or Star Trek.
  • Literary nerd: specializes in fiction, almost always seen reading or writing post-modern essays. Don't be mistaken as a poet, because poets often fall into the category of emo, not nerd. Known to be able to get a notebook out of nowhere.
  • Speech nerd: empathize with almost every word. Often becomes friendly. Never silent. Talking too much about an issue, compared to the average person's disinterest.
  • Debate nerds: always steadfast in their beliefs. They really prepare material on controversial issues, so don't mess with them! They can be found in debate clubs (obviously) and usually argue all sorts of things even if they are just the devil's advocate (read: defending opinions that are not their own).
  • Nerds don't mess around: these nerds will have nothing to do with any other stupidity and will stand firm by what they know and believe. This nerd can also join martial arts, weightlifting, boxing, etc. in order to defend themselves, rarely among nerds.
  • Factory nerd - good at designing and building engineering and physics projects, and using power tools with ease. They know how to work everything from a soldering iron to a saw… sometimes without checking the manual. Many construction nerds are also robotics nerds.
  • Robotics nerd - join a program like BEST, FIRST, or another extra-curricular robotics club. They can usually work with any remote controller (and with incredible speed) and are usually good at electronics/computers.
  • Rail nerd - a nerd who has an obsession with trains, usually known as a trainspotter. Often seen at a station with a notebook, camera, or binoculars.
  • Street nerd - Also called a street geek, this nerd specializes in the streets. They go to "street meetings", and often drive.
  • Sexy nerd - the most elusive nerd of all male nerds, because it's hard to identify the species by just looking. Fits a 1:1:1 ratio in terms of handsome, funny and smart. Common traits include: having his own activity (willing to be separated from the crowd), ability and willingness to read books other than Stephen King, Michael Crichton or John Grisham, tend to be quiet but eloquent; a subtle sense of humor and agile wit… and, of course, handsome.
  • Hippie nerd - very far out with a very strange way of thinking, this tends to question tradition and always stands out.
  • Cool nerds - this is a social classification of nerds, also referred to as 'popular nerds. "However, don't be fooled by the words "cool" or "popular." These nerds still have their trademark quirks, it's just that they are more friendly than other nerds. Most cool nerds have a good sense of humor and dress quirky, but in a fashionable way..
  • Awkward nerds - this is the social classification of the second kind of nerd. These nerds can range from social stuttering to just annoying, but are inherently clumsy (hence the name). Being clumsy isn't a bad thing at all. They have friends and meet all the requirements of a nerd, but they usually lack a social life.
  • Social science nerd - Usually works in fields such as psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, linguistics, human geography, and political science. These people are the king of long, long-winded terms.
• Be passionate about what you do.
• If you make a mistake in an exam, check with your teacher right away to know what went wrong, so you can correct it in the future. Bargain for value if you have to; there's nothing wrong with you being serious about education.
• Cultivate a good attitude. Start practicing holding the door for other people, not putting your elbows on the table, saying "please" and "thank you", etc. And if you make a mistake say "sorry"
• Nonfiction, especially on science/mathematical topics, is also nerdy. Look in your specialty field manuals - such as music synthesizers, programming - or other computer manuals (yes, manuals in general), math textbooks, and specialty magazines or journals, such as Nuts & Volts or Cinefex.
• Learn some good computer languages. BASIC probably will.
• Love nerd classics like The Princess Bride, Firefly and Serenity, Doctor Who, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, the original Tron, Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and Star Trek. (You can also try Red Dwarf, Robotech, Space 1999, Fantastic Voyage, Blake Seven and other lesser-known sci-fi classics that are too good to be slaughtered by big-budget Hollywood.)
• Always pay attention in class or at work to assimilate concepts, because you never know if someone will ask for help. Participate in discussions and assist the instructor or supervisor/management to clarify topics that you may feel the need to summarize or simplify, if that support seems somewhat appreciated.
• Nerds always carry a handkerchief. They are like that.
• Watch Big Bang Theory and get some tips from Sheldon Cooper - the famous traditional nerd. Leonard was mostly a normal nerd.
• Good science fiction and fantasy are nerdy, though you should note that nerds are conscientious readers and, unlike some geeks, will often choose quality over enjoyment or escapism. Sci-fi nerdy classics include the Foundation series, Dune, Neuromancer, The Hitchhiker Guide to the Galaxy, and the Mars trilogy.
• Love games if you want to pass the time: Portal, DragonFable, Counter Strike, World of Warcraft, Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Ragnarok online.
• Be who you really are. If you really wanted to be a nerd, then you would be a nerd.

Warning

• If you're always bullying or making fun of people who aren't as smart as you, they can get their friends to get back at you.
• If you want to be a computer nerd, don't use Internet Explorer. It's too mainstream; true nerds hate that. Good network browsers are Firefox and Google Chrome. Never mention both browsers by their full names, IE FF is a popular abbreviation for the first two. GC to represent Google Chrome is outdated – use "chrome" instead
• Don't always act smart! If you must point out errors or flawed logic, do so politely and subtly.
• Not everyone in your life likes your nerdy demeanor. Some people will even quip, sneer, or try to convince you that: "No, you misunderstood…"– nerds really aren't cool. Whatever you do, stick to truth, accuracy, don't listen to boring ideologues (don't be tied to their usual "routine" theories).
• Don't get so caught up in your obsession that you don't know the reality. Later you become a loser / isolated and if you have become a loser it means you have strayed from your true nerdy nature.
• Being a nerd means always being alert. There will be people who don't believe that nerds are as great as you think, and there will always be people who don't agree with you. You don't have to justify them, but you do have to stand firm.