I ‘ve been reading a lot about how many fellow nerds explain their “nerdiness” as a series of childhood events sometimes the result of bullying. Are you the prodigy of computer geeks and you inherited their nerdiness genetically or are you simply one of the uncommon self proclaimed nerds?
I want to know your story. What turned you down the path to nerd-dom?
For me… I think I just always knew I was a nerd ever since I was a kid. (aka a “nerdling”) When I was very young I had huge red plastic rimed glasses. I think I am/was socially awkward since I was home schooled most of my childhood. Up until 6th grade my best friends were my SNES, computer games and family. Switching to public school in 6th grade was a huge shock for me socially. As an attempt to fit in I joined football in 7th and 8th grades. I was decent at sports but I never really enjoyed watching them or even playing them. In high school I forced myself to open up socially by joining debate, student congress and forensics. I was so worried and self conscious about my nerdiness I even lifted weights all 4 years of high school to try and battle my nerdiness. This was because in my mind I have always thought of myself as that little geeky kid with red rimed glasses.
Thinking back I don’t think my peers ever thought I was a “Nerd” and honestly I don’t think most people would ever guess that I actually am a nerd either. Especially during a first meeting.
What about you? How did you become a nerd?
