Stuff to Get Out of My Head

Derogatory?

Okay, I'm getting really confused these days. I've always labeled myself as a geek because of my interests, but recently it seems that the terms "Geek" and "Nerd" are supposed to be insults. And it just puzzles me how being an intellectual person, reading comics (Like Homestuck), playing video games, or being an Otaku is a bad thing?

Like, I'm going to ComicCon in May cosplaying as Roxy Lalonde and for some reason the girl I sit next to in Spanish called me a nerd? Like the word "nerd" is supposed to be derogative?

Yet, nerds are successful people who make lots of money with good jobs. First of all, the stereotypical nerd is extremely smart, goes to the Renaissance Fair, has bad social skills, and does the trading card thing. Yes, I go to the Renaissance Fair at least twice every year. Yes, I have terrible social skills. And yes, I do the trading card thing every now and then.

And for geeks, one definition from the dictionary is, "a person often of an intellectual bent who is disliked." Or, another one is, "an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity." But, I think this is the definition that comes to our minds most often when describing a geek; "a person who is socially awkward and unpopular : a usually intelligent person who does not fit in with other people."

And either way, geeks and nerds are smart people who should be appreciated. They may not be the most popular or have many friends, but at least they are smarter than everyone else in one or more subject. Be nice to them, please.

Sorry for the rant, it just bothers me that people think being a nerd or a geek is a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with being smart! It is okay to be smart! I promise you, that being exponentially smart lets you have a wider variety of colleges and jobs, some of which bring in great money! Do not ever be afraid of being smarter than anyone else. It might not make you cool or popular (It should, being smart is a good thing), but at least you have something to hold over other people's heads!