Nerd - - The other "N" word

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At the risk of 'virtue signalling', I really don't think the use of nerd to bully people in school, damaging as that have been for some of us, is in any way comparable to the use of the n-word to subjugate and denigrate a race of people forcibly removed from their home country and made to work under brutal conditions until they died.

No nerd was ever hunted down by a mob, strung up by their neck and burned alive over an open fire.

Again, not to high-road anyone or invalidate anyone's personal trauma, just to say no, they're not comparable. At all.

Ever since the days that people realise nerds end up starting companies like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and SpaceX and Tesla..there's nothing left to make fun off.

I used to like the word "nerd", but it has a different meaning now...basically, if you enjoy Disney's Marvel films, you're a "nerd".

The meaning did change a bit over the years. It started of as a negative insult, especially in the 1980s. I got called that a lot back then due to my academic pursuits. It did not really hurt me, as I was so much different than my peers.

I rubbed it in their faces on exams and assignments for doing that though. My high school biology class was pissed at me and my friend, as we both had perfect exam scores, assignment scores and quiz scores. She beat me by half a point in extra credit points. We ruined the exam curve, so seven people had to retake the class over that would have passed. How is that for a revenge?

Later on, it became more mainstream to be a nerd as it could be someone who is into pulp culture items (comic books, movies, etc.). I have seen t-shirts that college women wear that has “I heart Nerds” or “I only date Nerds” printed on them. You would have never seen that in the 1980s. Part of this change has to do with the popularization of comic cons in media. TV shows like Big Bang Theory started pushing that trend.

"Be nice to nerds.  Chances are you'll end up working for one." — Bill Gates

As an Aspie my association with the word is long. In school, in the 1950s, I understood that my social skills were not normal and "nerd" seemed to fit me - as well as "loner." It was very late in my life that I discovered what Asperger's syndrome was about and I understood who I was.

I'm okay being called a "nerd!"

I personally don't like the word. "Geek" doesn't bother me as much, because all it really means is a person that's somewhat studious and has a comprehensive knowledge of their chosen subject.

Whilst there's a degree of crossover between geeks and nerds, for me "nerd" also has some negative connotations. It's associated with poor co-ordination, dress sense and social skills, and possibly poor personal hygiene too - but then again I grew up on the 80s, so never benefitted from the word's rehabilitation.

From where I came from?
Playful and serious expertise in some area online name at best. Meh at worst.
It's a bit complicated though. It's an English word, made from an American culture.

It can be a slur there, but not here. This includes the actual N-word itself.

The N-word, with the same spelling and pronunciations and all -- is not an English word, but more like an Spanish loan word inoffensive noun about having darker skin color than a emotionally charged racial slur.


Anyways...

Sure, this is one of those Asian countries that do value education and academic achievements.
So there are students who do well academically don't get bullied.

But nothing as severe as, say, Singapore or China. Also not as good as, say, India or Japan.
Because the education system here is directly derived from the American education system.


At the same time, the cultures outside the education system, is also anti-intellectual.
Too much emphasis on language and communication styles.
Too much misconceptions that language use means levels of intelligence.

There are also some stereotypes. Like nerds, are also, in some way, are usually business or/and law persons.
Usually derived from Chinese family traditional upbringings.
Or from privileged socio-economic classes. Instead of the stereotype of socially awkward person.


Because the true definition of nerd... Does not exists here in translation.

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Obvious naman na hindi English ang Tagalog. Ang isang taong matalino, walang kakayahan sa lipunan, at nahuhumaling sa isang "espesyal na interes" ay tatawaging "Nerd" sa alinmang wika.  Hindi ba?

There is no direct translation of "nerd" in my native language, too, and the English word "nerd" does not have the negative connotations.
The closest native word would be "kujon" - and it is derogatory but there is a very important difference. "Kujon", while having good grades and being socially outcast, is apathetic and studies for grades only. "Nerd" is passionate for studying itself, which isn't that negative in my culture.
I identify as nerd but not kujon - I never cared for grades but science is my world.