Are nerds hated the most in America?
25 Aug 2011, 9:49 pm
By 'nerd', I mean someone who excels academically and intellectually, whether it be in philosophy, history, math, science, etc, AND also lacks social skills. So most of the kids in the high school I went to who got into the top universities do NOT qualify as 'nerds'. Thats because they had social skills, and most importantly, they were NOT intellectuals. Once they did the necessary work to get A's in their classes, they couldn't care less about learning.
I live in America and grew up here and am curious to know if Europeans in socialist countries show similar views towards nerds as Americans do?
I once heard that nerds are treated as rock stars in Europe, so I'm curious to know how true that statement really is
25 Aug 2011, 10:22 pm
I'm not European, but a guy from Germany told me there's always people who are considered the weirdos, or outsiders. But when I explained some of the things that happen to kids on the outside, he shook his head. He said it's nothing like that in Germany. He also said he's glad he didn't go to school here.
I've heard stories about what goes on to people in Japan who are bullied. England is bad too about that. I think America, England, and Japan are the worst bully places in the world. Of course, I'd rather be in any of those of places in Africa and Middle East.
Sorry dude, I got way off track. To answer you question, nerds (as you've defined the them) aren't emotionally destroyed everywhere, but they are not treated as rockstars anywhere. Lacking social skills and being obsessed with learning isn't an impressive talent.
Mindslave
Veteran
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,034
Location: Where the wild things wish they were
25 Aug 2011, 10:52 pm
Nerds aren't hated the most, but hipster nerds are. The main difference between a nerd and a hipster nerd is the arrogance. Hipster nerds are smug for no apparent reason (something along the lines of "Because I'm smarter than you, I'm better than you" as if anyone is attracted to inconsistent arrogance) and nerds, although like any group there is variation in behavior, generally don't have the same type of attitude. Hipster nerds are the kinds of dorks that attach themselves to trendy humanitarian causes, as if somehow they actually care about the issue (and in many cases they don't know anything about it, they just want to be the one to carry the flag) If you want to make a difference, then great, Go do something. And for crying out loud, don't self-promote. Someone who ACTUALLY cares isn't going to pat themselves on the back for doing something nice. These people act like it's a civic duty, as if somehow we all are supposed to be doing our part. Well, if we all need to do it, then why do they pat themselves on the back for something they should be doing in the first place? Are they going to congratulate themselves for getting their schoolwork done too? Oh wait, some of them do that too.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
26 Aug 2011, 12:10 am
Mindslave wrote:
Nerds aren't hated the most, but hipster nerds are. The main difference between a nerd and a hipster nerd is the arrogance. Hipster nerds are smug for no apparent reason (something along the lines of "Because I'm smarter than you, I'm better than you" as if anyone is attracted to inconsistent arrogance) and nerds, although like any group there is variation in behavior, generally don't have the same type of attitude. Hipster nerds are the kinds of dorks that attach themselves to trendy humanitarian causes, as if somehow they actually care about the issue (and in many cases they don't know anything about it, they just want to be the one to carry the flag) If you want to make a difference, then great, Go do something. And for crying out loud, don't self-promote. Someone who ACTUALLY cares isn't going to pat themselves on the back for doing something nice. These people act like it's a civic duty, as if somehow we all are supposed to be doing our part. Well, if we all need to do it, then why do they pat themselves on the back for something they should be doing in the first place? Are they going to congratulate themselves for getting their schoolwork done too? Oh wait, some of them do that too.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
I'm not really up to date on what the labels mean anymore. The people I know who are thought of as hipsters don't really strike me as nerds. Maybe a little bit. Unless hipster can be applied to anyone.
26 Aug 2011, 1:14 am
MickeyJones wrote:
By 'nerd', I mean someone who excels academically and intellectually, whether it be in philosophy, history, math, science, etc, AND also lacks social skills. So most of the kids in the high school I went to who got into the top universities do NOT qualify as 'nerds'. Thats because they had social skills, and most importantly, they were NOT intellectuals. Once they did the necessary work to get A's in their classes, they couldn't care less about learning.
I live in America and grew up here and am curious to know if Europeans in socialist countries show similar views towards nerds as Americans do?
I once heard that nerds are treated as rock stars in Europe, so I'm curious to know how true that statement really is
I live in America and grew up here and am curious to know if Europeans in socialist countries show similar views towards nerds as Americans do?
I once heard that nerds are treated as rock stars in Europe, so I'm curious to know how true that statement really is
There have been no socialist countries in Europe since the fall of the wall, but having lived in England and in mainland Europe people in Europe tend to be a lot less vicious than the English.
If you want some friends to geek out with and study, people from the orient or from parts of Africa tend to place a much higher value on education than most other people do. (Forgive my broad, cultural stereotyping).
26 Aug 2011, 1:30 am
DC wrote:
MickeyJones wrote:
By 'nerd', I mean someone who excels academically and intellectually, whether it be in philosophy, history, math, science, etc, AND also lacks social skills. So most of the kids in the high school I went to who got into the top universities do NOT qualify as 'nerds'. Thats because they had social skills, and most importantly, they were NOT intellectuals. Once they did the necessary work to get A's in their classes, they couldn't care less about learning.
I live in America and grew up here and am curious to know if Europeans in socialist countries show similar views towards nerds as Americans do?
I once heard that nerds are treated as rock stars in Europe, so I'm curious to know how true that statement really is
I live in America and grew up here and am curious to know if Europeans in socialist countries show similar views towards nerds as Americans do?
I once heard that nerds are treated as rock stars in Europe, so I'm curious to know how true that statement really is
There have been no socialist countries in Europe since the fall of the wall, but having lived in England and in mainland Europe people in Europe tend to be a lot less vicious than the English.
If you want some friends to geek out with and study, people from the orient or from parts of Africa tend to place a much higher value on education than most other people do. (Forgive my broad, cultural stereotyping).
Given that you're aware that might be stereotyping and that this is wrong is usually an indicator that you may be being too harsh on yourself. Especially in china I must say educating kids and pushing them hard is a cultural phenomenon rather than a household choice as in say the USA.
26 Aug 2011, 3:05 am
CaptainTrips222 wrote:
I've heard stories about what goes on to people in Japan who are bullied.
Have you got a source? I've been to Japanese schools twice and the students are extremely polite and friendly. What I've heard and experienced is exactly the opposite - That Japanese schools are some of the best in the world.
26 Aug 2011, 3:11 am
Burzum wrote:
CaptainTrips222 wrote:
I've heard stories about what goes on to people in Japan who are bullied.
Have you got a source? I've been to Japanese schools twice and the students are extremely polite and friendly. What I've heard and experienced is exactly the opposite - That Japanese schools are some of the best in the world.
What I have heard is that they create unnecessarily exclusive cliques as in any other school.
26 Aug 2011, 4:09 am
Burzum wrote:
CaptainTrips222 wrote:
I've heard stories about what goes on to people in Japan who are bullied.
Have you got a source? I've been to Japanese schools twice and the students are extremely polite and friendly. What I've heard and experienced is exactly the opposite - That Japanese schools are some of the best in the world.
No I don't have a source. It's just things I've heard.
26 Aug 2011, 4:24 am
CaptainTrips222 wrote:
Burzum wrote:
CaptainTrips222 wrote:
I've heard stories about what goes on to people in Japan who are bullied.
Have you got a source? I've been to Japanese schools twice and the students are extremely polite and friendly. What I've heard and experienced is exactly the opposite - That Japanese schools are some of the best in the world.
No I don't have a source. It's just things I've heard.
What you have heard is probably more accurate than what Burzum is saying. If Japanese bullies didn't exist then the anime Welcome to the NHK wouldn't exist and there wouldn't be the national phenomenon of Hikkikomori. Also best doesn't mean friendliest or happiest.
Mindslave
Veteran
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,034
Location: Where the wild things wish they were
26 Aug 2011, 8:29 am
CaptainTrips222 wrote:
Mindslave wrote:
Nerds aren't hated the most, but hipster nerds are. The main difference between a nerd and a hipster nerd is the arrogance. Hipster nerds are smug for no apparent reason (something along the lines of "Because I'm smarter than you, I'm better than you" as if anyone is attracted to inconsistent arrogance) and nerds, although like any group there is variation in behavior, generally don't have the same type of attitude. Hipster nerds are the kinds of dorks that attach themselves to trendy humanitarian causes, as if somehow they actually care about the issue (and in many cases they don't know anything about it, they just want to be the one to carry the flag) If you want to make a difference, then great, Go do something. And for crying out loud, don't self-promote. Someone who ACTUALLY cares isn't going to pat themselves on the back for doing something nice. These people act like it's a civic duty, as if somehow we all are supposed to be doing our part. Well, if we all need to do it, then why do they pat themselves on the back for something they should be doing in the first place? Are they going to congratulate themselves for getting their schoolwork done too? Oh wait, some of them do that too.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
I'm not really up to date on what the labels mean anymore. The people I know who are thought of as hipsters don't really strike me as nerds. Maybe a little bit. Unless hipster can be applied to anyone.
I'm mainly referring to the third rate pseudo-intellectual posers who shop at Hollister and pretend to donate to charity so they can throw it back in your face. Most nerds aren't cool enough to even be hated. These people are too cool for school, and certainly too cool for the other nerds.
26 Aug 2011, 1:17 pm
If hipsters aren't more hated than nerds, they deserve to be. I think The Filthy Critic’s review of Juno perfectly summed up what’s wrong with hipsters:
Quote:
Page is supposed to be into late 60s garage rock like Iggy Pop and Mott the Hoople. While she talks about how she digs it, Juno's soundtrack is far softer and phonier, full of mopey 90s and oughties whiners in cardigans. Further, her claimed love of that sort of music and the horror of Italian hack Dario Argento don't inform her character in any way. In real life, both of these cultural touchstones are generally beloved by as*holes who like telling you they are into them far more than they really are. Any time someone brings up Argento in your presence, run, run like the wind. Pretension is a'coming. Really, Page doesn't act like she would be into those things. I think that's mainly because the movie just says she digs that s**t to make her sound quirky and independent. And when she opens her mouth, she doesn't tell us a God damn thing about herself. She just tells us what pop references Diablo Cody thinks are cool and make her sound "out there".
(full review)
And to quote myself from a past topic:
Quote:
[Hipsters] think it's cool to pretend to like something they don't actually like. Nothing is ever genuine with hipsters. They don't genuinely like anything, they only like whatever they think will make them cool. They'll buy a faded retro Star Trek t-shirt, not because they ever gave a crap about Star Trek, but because they want everyone at the coffee shop to see it. I almost feel sorry for them, because such a person must be completely dead inside.
Can you imagine dating a hipster? You would constantly be worrying about whether they actually like you, or if they just think it makes them look cool to date such a loser as yourself. No matter how annoying nerds can be, at least the passions they feel are genuine.
26 Aug 2011, 2:25 pm
Jory wrote:
If hipsters aren't more hated than nerds, they deserve to be. I think The Filthy Critic’s review of Juno perfectly summed up what’s wrong with hipsters:
(full review)
And to quote myself from a past topic:
Can you imagine dating a hipster? You would constantly be worrying about whether they actually like you, or if they just think it makes them look cool to date such a loser as yourself. No matter how annoying nerds can be, at least the passions they feel are genuine.
Quote:
Page is supposed to be into late 60s garage rock like Iggy Pop and Mott the Hoople. While she talks about how she digs it, Juno's soundtrack is far softer and phonier, full of mopey 90s and oughties whiners in cardigans. Further, her claimed love of that sort of music and the horror of Italian hack Dario Argento don't inform her character in any way. In real life, both of these cultural touchstones are generally beloved by as*holes who like telling you they are into them far more than they really are. Any time someone brings up Argento in your presence, run, run like the wind. Pretension is a'coming. Really, Page doesn't act like she would be into those things. I think that's mainly because the movie just says she digs that s**t to make her sound quirky and independent. And when she opens her mouth, she doesn't tell us a God damn thing about herself. She just tells us what pop references Diablo Cody thinks are cool and make her sound "out there".
(full review)
And to quote myself from a past topic:
Quote:
[Hipsters] think it's cool to pretend to like something they don't actually like. Nothing is ever genuine with hipsters. They don't genuinely like anything, they only like whatever they think will make them cool. They'll buy a faded retro Star Trek t-shirt, not because they ever gave a crap about Star Trek, but because they want everyone at the coffee shop to see it. I almost feel sorry for them, because such a person must be completely dead inside.
Can you imagine dating a hipster? You would constantly be worrying about whether they actually like you, or if they just think it makes them look cool to date such a loser as yourself. No matter how annoying nerds can be, at least the passions they feel are genuine.
Hipsters take something normal to NTs and allow it to spin rapidly out of proportion in to a an ugly mess thinking it'll open all the doors for their life.
27 Aug 2011, 3:19 am
Mindslave wrote:
CaptainTrips222 wrote:
Mindslave wrote:
Nerds aren't hated the most, but hipster nerds are. The main difference between a nerd and a hipster nerd is the arrogance. Hipster nerds are smug for no apparent reason (something along the lines of "Because I'm smarter than you, I'm better than you" as if anyone is attracted to inconsistent arrogance) and nerds, although like any group there is variation in behavior, generally don't have the same type of attitude. Hipster nerds are the kinds of dorks that attach themselves to trendy humanitarian causes, as if somehow they actually care about the issue (and in many cases they don't know anything about it, they just want to be the one to carry the flag) If you want to make a difference, then great, Go do something. And for crying out loud, don't self-promote. Someone who ACTUALLY cares isn't going to pat themselves on the back for doing something nice. These people act like it's a civic duty, as if somehow we all are supposed to be doing our part. Well, if we all need to do it, then why do they pat themselves on the back for something they should be doing in the first place? Are they going to congratulate themselves for getting their schoolwork done too? Oh wait, some of them do that too.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
I'm not really up to date on what the labels mean anymore. The people I know who are thought of as hipsters don't really strike me as nerds. Maybe a little bit. Unless hipster can be applied to anyone.
I'm mainly referring to the third rate pseudo-intellectual posers who shop at Hollister and pretend to donate to charity so they can throw it back in your face. Most nerds aren't cool enough to even be hated. These people are too cool for school, and certainly too cool for the other nerds.
I guess I really have a misconception of the social groups these days. For one thing, I thought Hollister was along the lines of Abercrombie and Fitch, or Steve Madden. I'd think 19 year old preppy teens would wear things like that. Not people of any kind of intellect, even pseudo-intellect. Also, I wouldn't think of pseudo-intellectuals as nerds. Do you mean the kind of people that hang out at funky college record stores, and "scene" art shops? I guess, but I don't know anymore. I'm so out of the loop.
MarketAndChurch
Veteran
Joined: 3 Apr 2011
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,022
Location: The Peoples Republic Of Portland
27 Aug 2011, 4:08 am
Mindslave wrote:
Nerds aren't hated the most, but hipster nerds are. The main difference between a nerd and a hipster nerd is the arrogance. Hipster nerds are smug for no apparent reason (something along the lines of "Because I'm smarter than you, I'm better than you" as if anyone is attracted to inconsistent arrogance) and nerds, although like any group there is variation in behavior, generally don't have the same type of attitude. Hipster nerds are the kinds of dorks that attach themselves to trendy humanitarian causes, as if somehow they actually care about the issue (and in many cases they don't know anything about it, they just want to be the one to carry the flag) If you want to make a difference, then great, Go do something. And for crying out loud, don't self-promote. Someone who ACTUALLY cares isn't going to pat themselves on the back for doing something nice. These people act like it's a civic duty, as if somehow we all are supposed to be doing our part. Well, if we all need to do it, then why do they pat themselves on the back for something they should be doing in the first place? Are they going to congratulate themselves for getting their schoolwork done too? Oh wait, some of them do that too.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
Nerds, in the traditional sense, were too ostracized to "make a difference", and they didn't try and pretend to be someone they're not. If you really are an outcast, you can't rally the troops. The quiet ones who work on their computer circuits, or play their guitars, those are the traditional nerds, not these posers who act like they are above it all, but still go to parties and get drunk as if there is a bright red line separating them from the evil jocks, or anyone else who isn't just like them. So it's not the nerds, it's the posers. Unfortunately, there are so many of these idiots running around that nerds as a group get labeled as smug. Nerds aren't smug. Smug nerds are smug. It's not that I'm a huge fan of nerds, or that I am a nerd, I just HATE HIPSTERS.
its sort of a stage in life now for most urbanites, it's disgusting, these unemployed do-nothings who are subsidized by their parents or their arts are self-congratulating morally superior to everyone else. For many, it is a transformative, somewhat religious experience. Because you own a mac and can operate illustrator to make album cover art or movie-editing software to showcase your perspective to the world does not make you a nerd! Your Vegan! You drive a bicycle with a reusable eco-friendly grocery bag to the local whole foods... Your cool... We get it!
_________________
It is not up to you to finish the task, nor are you free to desist from trying.
MarketAndChurch
Veteran
Joined: 3 Apr 2011
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,022
Location: The Peoples Republic Of Portland
27 Aug 2011, 4:14 am
Jory wrote:
If hipsters aren't more hated than nerds, they deserve to be. I think The Filthy Critic’s review of Juno perfectly summed up what’s wrong with hipsters:
(full review)
And to quote myself from a past topic:
Can you imagine dating a hipster? You would constantly be worrying about whether they actually like you, or if they just think it makes them look cool to date such a loser as yourself. No matter how annoying nerds can be, at least the passions they feel are genuine.
Quote:
Page is supposed to be into late 60s garage rock like Iggy Pop and Mott the Hoople. While she talks about how she digs it, Juno's soundtrack is far softer and phonier, full of mopey 90s and oughties whiners in cardigans. Further, her claimed love of that sort of music and the horror of Italian hack Dario Argento don't inform her character in any way. In real life, both of these cultural touchstones are generally beloved by as*holes who like telling you they are into them far more than they really are. Any time someone brings up Argento in your presence, run, run like the wind. Pretension is a'coming. Really, Page doesn't act like she would be into those things. I think that's mainly because the movie just says she digs that s**t to make her sound quirky and independent. And when she opens her mouth, she doesn't tell us a God damn thing about herself. She just tells us what pop references Diablo Cody thinks are cool and make her sound "out there".
(full review)
And to quote myself from a past topic:
Quote:
[Hipsters] think it's cool to pretend to like something they don't actually like. Nothing is ever genuine with hipsters. They don't genuinely like anything, they only like whatever they think will make them cool. They'll buy a faded retro Star Trek t-shirt, not because they ever gave a crap about Star Trek, but because they want everyone at the coffee shop to see it. I almost feel sorry for them, because such a person must be completely dead inside.
Can you imagine dating a hipster? You would constantly be worrying about whether they actually like you, or if they just think it makes them look cool to date such a loser as yourself. No matter how annoying nerds can be, at least the passions they feel are genuine.
that was a good read.The world started when this demographic came of age and they feel very important.
_________________
It is not up to you to finish the task, nor are you free to desist from trying.
