Occasionally somebody will think I'm a nerd/geek because I'm sort of interested in computers and gadgets, and know more about them than most people. But I'm really not, and I just found the explanation why.
In the excellent TV show Triumph Of The Nerds, Douglas Adams says with his usual insight: "A nerd is somebody who uses a telephone to talk about telephones. A computer nerd is somebody who uses computers in order to use computers."
That's spot on.
And it's not me. I use computers to communicate. That's the long and the short of my interest.
Hey, I bet a LOT of nerds/geeks would readily format their father and mother's hard drive, or sell their soul to Bill Gates (and sign the pact with their own printer's ink!) in exchange for a job like yours. :-D
ReplyDeletePersonally, the term "nerd" doesn't mean a whole lot to me. It's almost not even an insult by today's standards. Me and my friends actually call each other dorks on a pretty regular basis. It's a term of endearment for us. :P
ReplyDeleteMe and my friends actually call each other dorks on a pretty regular basis. It's a term of endearment for us. :P
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Besides anyone who calls another a demeaning name on purpose has self-esteem issues.
But joking around in a non-intentional way is normal.
I use the PC for banking, email, blog writing, I must be a nerd also. But what's in a name?
Eolake, I don't see you coming across as a nerd at all.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the TV show's definition is spot on.
This clearly makes me a computer nerd. I have, for example, written several computer languages from scratch. This is "using computers in order to use computers". And what's more, I love it!
Sir Luke said...
ReplyDeleteBut what's in a name?
Well, I'd say the idea of nobility is in yours, Sir Luke. But maybe I'm just being prejudiced. ;-)
"I have, for example, written several computer languages from scratch."
Well, I'm currently creating a language half from scratch. But not for computers : for a country.
Really, I am.
The other half is Yiddish.
So I'm ALSO learning the basics of Yiddish. :-)
I also taught myself HTML, from editing web pages.
I'd rather be called a nerd than a jock. At least, ALL nerds have an evolved intelligence. While the jock is an athlete that has an extra muscle between his ears.
(Note to sportive fellas : if you can understand what I've just said there, you needn't feel offended, because clearly you're not what I'm talking about.)
You'd *think* that the social status of nerds would have improved after one of them became the world's richest man.
ReplyDeleteIt also says something about the "high school" culture, especially in the US, that having a mind and strong interests is a social disadvantage.
"You'd *think* that the social status of nerds would have improved after one of them became the world's richest man."
ReplyDeleteWell personlally, I think it has if only a little. Being a "nerd" still isn't something people generally aim for, but it's not as if people really cringe at the thought of being called one anymore. I can think of many worse things to call someone.
These days, I think the "nerd" label is more about social unawareness than intelligence. That's my observation anyway.
Pascal said...
ReplyDeleteSir Luke said...
But what's in a name?
Well, I'd say the idea of nobility is in yours, Sir Luke. But maybe I'm just being prejudiced. ;-)
My mother named me this. Anymore jokes? Ha Ha. You're not amusing.
Stop condeming people.And that guy who says he's a king or whatever, why must you poke a stick at him?
he's just a very playful fellow.
ReplyDeleteI would hate to see his serious side then..........
In that case, Sir Luke, whatever you do DON'T look at this very serious post I made. Or that other one. You've been warned...
ReplyDeleteThose like me who grew up in the heart of the Lebanon civil war since 1975 (and counting!) may let all their spirit and happiness be destroyed by the steamroller. I'm one of those who chose to laugh at the face of adversity. You can bet I'll still be joking on my death bed, just for the pleasure of it.
People will choose any kind of alias for any reason. Including a humorous parody of megalomania, eventually. "Wonko outside the Asylum". "Frank Castle the Punisher". "Your nanny Mary Poppins". "Jesus H. Christ". I don't judge, I play along.
How was I to know yours was a fond nickname from your fine mother? (All mothers deserve my full respect.) It could as well have been a pun at "Sir Sean Connery", for instance.
"King Zod" doesn't seem to be taking himself overly seriously. In any case, I simply go along. That's the opposite of judging. Have you seen me talk with a two year-old, or a trisomic child? You'd never guess I'm over 30 then. If someone appeared to be muslim, I could as well say "Allah be praised", and there's no reason why this should be seen as an insult! Should I add "some of my best friends are muslim"? It's true, but why should I even need to mention it? It's just natural.
I DON'T joke with those I don't respect. That's a treatment I consider my enemies do not deserve.
Take my word for it, if I want to really insult somebody, there will be no room left for reasonable doubt that day. I'll make it quite clear. And mean.
Which is a purely theoretical statement, because I'm the kind of wimpy weirdo who always prefers civilized discussion to insults. If some are allergic to a little humour, they should mention right away that their skin has third degree burns and is not to be even breathed on.
Perhaps I should mention that I'm not mocking burn victims either. Some have been my hospital patients. And all my patients know I respect them, always. Even the occasional exasperating ones. I hate to flaunt it, but you asked.
Have you ever heard of Dr Patch Adams? Try and watch the movie of his life, it could add some perspective to your horizons. It did to me.
Peace, yo!
Pascal is a playful fellow indeed, he even has a serious side, though he doesn't let it out too much because it includes too much of the suffering that he's seen in his lifetime. He really doesn't want to add more suffering to the planet.
ReplyDeletere. nerds. When I was in HS I always found them the most sexy, because of their intelligence. Intelligence and depth is sexy. Actually, I couldn't have cared what those guys looked like, if they were serious and thought about life deeply, and sought a deeper reality, I confess. I fantasized about them back home. I guess I was a female nerd, reading Jean Paul Sartre instead of smoking dope up at the gravel pit with Bucky Tatro.
And I felt no movement toward popular jocks. Major yawn. Not sexy at all.
Laurie
"instead of smoking dope up at the gravel pit"
ReplyDeleteAnd how sexy can THAT be? ):-P
Smoker's breath, yuck!
At the very least, I enjoy sitting on something comfy like grass or sand, and breathing stink-less air. With flower smells, if possible. :-)
If loving Nature is nerdy, call me Steve Urkel!
I DON'T joke with those I don't respect. That's a treatment I consider my enemies do not deserve.
ReplyDeleteTo Pascal,
I will no longer to be posting anymore comments here, After reading your very uncomfortable and predictable answers it's wise for me to move on.
I feel that you have caused me harm
through your repeated bad jokes. And have offended others, yet Mr Stobblehouse lets it go on and sticks up for you no matter what you say.
if I want to really insult somebody, there will be no room left for reasonable doubt that day. I'll make it quite clear. And mean.
I'm glad you at least addmitted you have an evil side about you. Not everybody can smile at a dying child or adult and crack jokes when their lives hang by a thread.
I think that's why we have war today. People (some people that is) will continue to joke about serious situations which in turn causes grief and dismay.
And if you are a real doctor than I would like to say that I hope you don't tease the little children who are dying right before your eyes. I just don't find it amusing.
So finish me off. I willnot respond. I will take your abuse and remove myself for good here.
Thanks for the brief periods you permitted me to post Mr Stonbblehouse.
I know that I'm not a "handpicked" friend like your Pascal commrade you take pleasure in defending.
Good day and goodbye. (Might I suggest some anti-depressants for you? Or am I being another target for you no matter what I say?)
May you find the peace that eludes you in your worn torn soul and country.
Goodbye all.
I really wanted to like you but you cut me to shreds and Mr Stobblehouse let it be posted. You are an egnima and you seem very unhappy most of the time.
Maybe it's because you grew up with war during 1975 and the turmoil you have underwent?
I also seen the movie, "Patch Adams" with Robin Williams in it. I didn;t care for it. Nor did I ever like M.A.S.H. with alan Alda in it.
Here's your final chance to cut me down, call me an asshole or whatever your troubled spirit can conquer up.
Until later, then, Sir Luke. Bless you, and good luck to you.
ReplyDelete...nothing much, really. What else can Pascal say? Obviously Sir Luke had made his final decision long ago.
ReplyDeleteWhen somebody considers my reference to Patch Adams as a call to mock dying people instead of bringing some joy to the sick, the semantic gap is unbridgeable.
As I said, all my hospital patients know I respect them, always. Especially the young ones, who all loved me. Just for the record, and for those less one-track-minded than Luke, I once became the only friend of a ten-year-old, a few days before he unexpectedly died. That's right, he had no friends, his parents told me. They were very happy that I gave him some of my time to comfort and encourage him, play a bit with him, and make him smile that day. So happy and thankful, that it made me uneasy for what little I felt *I* had done for their son. But I'll never regret it. And I suck at remembering names, even some of my good friends after just a few years, but I'll never forget young Khalil Rikan. Vaya con dios, amigo.
"Not everybody can smile at a dying child or adult"
It's called compassion, haven't you ever heard of it? There's smiling and smiling. I smile TO them.
"and crack jokes when their lives hang by a thread."
I would do that on my OWN deathbed, not that of others! Damn, what kind of monster do you think I am?!? Have YOU ever brought their last happy or comforting moment to someone, Saint Luke?
How many eyes have you closed, after supporting them for days or weeks, and giving them some human sympathy?
A Lebanese joking in the face of adversity is like an African-American greeting another one with "whassup, my nigger?". Are all Brothers racists, too? Broaden your horizons, hombre!
Now I've gone and said things, after all. Never mind. In ira veritas. You've insulted me, Luke, by denying my true principles. You call me an enigma, and yet you have me "all figured out" as some sort of insensitive sadistic clown.
But like I said when you weren't paying attention, I won't insult you back, that's not my nature. Just don't expect to receive any more jokes from me, mister judgemental. Oriental friendliness has its limits.
You can leave, Sir Luke. I only regret that you're leaving on a false and angry impression, because there's no reason: it's all just a dumb misunderstanding. (Cultural gap, perhaps?) Peace to you and all mankind. I hope you somehow find serenity in your life.
"When somebody considers my reference to Patch Adams as a call to mock dying people instead of bringing some joy to the sick, the semantic gap is unbridgeable."
ReplyDeleteIt is a cognitive gap. You'll notice he did not even like the movie.
"It is a cognitive gap. You'll notice he did not even like the movie."
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'll grant you "cognitive". Upon reflection. ;-)
If everybody passed harsh judgement on everything they don't LIKE, the world would be a very violent place. (It could definitely be worse than it is.)
I believe that Dr Adams' vision still lives on today with the clinic he founded. His first fans were always his public.
Just like I heard that the american soldiers were usually big fans of M.A.S.H. back in the days. They needed the silly humour in order not to hate their lives.
Today, in France, Pediatrics services actually have professional clowns come to amuse the little patients. So I'm not just a lone eccentric theorician... Fortunately for Luke, in case of need there are still lots of "ordinary" hospitals in the USA, that will readily treat him as no more than a case with a number and bank account should this be his wish.