A nerd is thought to be a highly intelligent person who has a singular passion about an academic pursuit. They tend to be either socially inept or asocial. A geek is thought to be an individual who is always interested in a niche activity or subject, but who is not necessarily academically inclined nor as asocial as the nerd. A dork is thought to be slightly sillier and not at all asocial, but perhaps not interested in a niche or academic pursuit.

Isaac Newton is a great example. He made many discoveries including the reflector telescope, differential and integral calculus, Laws of Motion and Gravitation, and colors of light. He was usually busy with his research work. He didn’t talk much, and only slept about three hours a night. (He probably should have seen a doctor about that. ) Katherine Johnson worked for NASA as a “human computer. " Her calculations were so accurate that she was asked to double-check the work of the actual computers. [1] X Trustworthy Source NASA Independent agency of the U. S. government in charge of the aerospace research and the space program Go to source She co-authored 26 scientific papers. Alan Turing is another famous nerd. Half-hero, half-scapegoat, Turing is credited with helping to crack the Nazi Enigma codes at the end of World War II, as well as playing an instrumental role in developing the first computers of the 20th century. [2] X Research source Despite his achievements, he was later prosecuted by the British government for having a boyfriend and was forced to take estrogen injections to “neutralize his libido. “[3] X Research source Turing died of suicide not long after the trial.

Don’t trust information just because it comes from an authority figure. Nerds understand that figures of authority can sometimes get away with misleading or falsified information simply because of their power. Be willing to fact-check, especially if something seems off or too convenient. Get to the root of things. A nerd will understand a question inside and out. A nerd will not rely on memorized information, but rather on understanding a concept. If a nerd asks the question “Why is the sky blue?” and is given the answer, “Because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light,"[5] X Research source her next question will inevitably be: “Why do molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light?” they will continue the line of questioning until the answer relates to something they already understand completely.

Many nerds gravitate towards sci, tech, eng, math, i.
e.
STEM majors: STEMs deal plainly in facts and systems observable in nature, whereas many other more subjective disciplines lack the objective, fact-checking component. Other nerds prefer more theoretical fields, such as abstract fields or the humanities. These also have room for analysis and discussion.

While some areas are black and white (e. g. questions of basic science or respecting human rights), many areas aren’t so simple. There may be exceptions, nuances, and qualifications. Look for those and see what you can learn from them. There are several scientific/philosophical theories that nerds who love the gray area reference. It might be helpful to get familiar with just a few of them: Thomas Kuhn’s paradigm shifts: Periods of “normal science” are interrupted by periods of “revolutionary science,” called paradigm shifts that are relentlessly discussed and expounded (defined, diagrammed, flow-charted, mapped, extrapolated, spanning and forming a new amalgam, a new reality. . . ). For STEMs adherents paradigm shifts are entirely new, focuses of scientific thinking and concentration. [7] X Research source Kurt Gödel’s incompleteness: It’s impossible to establish consistency and completeness inside formal logical systems. In other words, all consistent axiomatic formulations of number theory include propositions/assumptions that are undecidable (fundamental elements of math include the undefined point, line, plain and space which are nonetheless bases to define large fields of mathematics). [8] X Research source

Remember, knowledge can come from surprising sources! Everyone is good at something. Practice intellectual humility and approach each person as if they have something new to teach you. If you disagree with an expert, do so with respect and humility. It’s possible they’ve heard your statement many times before and can tell you exactly how wrong it is.

Your passion could be anything, from cryptology to philosophy to Norse mythology to philately. Whatever it is, make it a blast! Set short- and long-term goals for yourself. The sooner you set yourself some goals (perhaps in an outline of variable and constant parameters, a rubric, or a protocol), the easier it will be to achieve them. Setting absorbing goals has the benefit of being especially nerdy!

If you found that lining your car antenna with aluminum foil gives you better reception on the AM stations in your car, then go for it. A nerd does not care how their car looks if the radio station is playing properly. If you propose to test all your friends for an antibody not yet known to science, then go for it (with your friends’ consent). A nerd does not care whether the world doubts their methods and challenges their findings. If you are interested in computer viruses and want to tell all your friends what a trojan is, then go for it! A lot of nerds like to learn about things that seem pointless to others.

Take regular trips to the library. If you can’t go physically, try checking out e-books. Read a variety of nonfiction and fiction books. Nonfiction teaches you new things. Fiction teaches you new perspectives. (Look for books about people who are different from you, such as people of different cultures, races, or disabilities. Also check out books that tackle major social issues. ) Study related languages. Try to pick up a language just for kicks; or maybe because a subject your learning about has original sources in the native tongue. Experiment with web-based translation machines. If you feel that learning a language is too hard, then try and learn Pig Latin. Pig Latin has a set of rules to go by in order to speak it, so it is very easy to learn. Extra cred goes to nerds who study a “dead” or fictional language, such as Cuman, Eyak, and Karankawa, or Elvish, Dothraki, or Klingon. [9] X Research source [10] X Research source Dead or fictional languages are exquisitely nerdy. Note that informative reading doesn’t have to mean slogging through a dry, unbearable textbook. For an entertaining and informative read, try the funny physics classic Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman or The Feynman Lectures, any of Brian Greene’s very popular and accessible science bestsellers, or well-researched historical fiction like I, Claudius (whose unlikely hero survives a particularly brutal period in the Roman Empire).

Try some extracurricular activities, such as robotics or math club, chess, or drama. Try to balance your extracurriculars so that they don’t bring your grades down. Ask a lot of questions in class. There is no such thing as a stupid question, remember? The only stupid question is the question you didn’t ask. Do research above and beyond what is taught in class. YouTube channels such as Khan Academy, Crash Course, Vsauce, Numberphile, CGP Grey to name a few, offer the opportunity to get ahead at the convenience and enjoyment of your computer. Don’t be afraid to look into online learning or get a tutor if you’re struggling with a certain subject area. Everyone has certain subjects that don’t come easily to them. Your school may offer free tutoring resources.

Eat a healthy diet. Establish a regular sleep schedule. Aim for around 8+ hours to refresh your brain. As a nerd, your brain is one of your biggest assets in life, so you should take care of it. Exercise regularly - even a nerd can be physically fit! Brush your teeth, use floss, and use mouthwash. Regular tooth-brushing improves longevity and reduces a surprising amount of health risks. Maintain good hygiene. It’s a common stereotype for nerds to have lots of allergies/health issues, but try to stay on top of all of your medications. For example, if you have asthma, always have your inhaler with you in case of an attack.

It may not always be easy. Life can be tough, but you can be equally tough. Nerds are resilient in challenging situations, willing to get up and keep going despite being knocked down. If optimism feels impossible, that’s a sign of a problem. A nerd doesn’t keep trying the same things if it’s clear they aren’t working. Find ways to change your life to be more advantageous to your success and well-being. Consult a counselor or doctor if needed; they are experts, after all.

Look for clothes that have nerdy patterns, like plaid, argyle, or pinstripes. You can wear such patterns on your shirts, jackets, sweaters, or even your pants. Bring a sweater to tie around your waist if needed. This way, you’ll be prepared for variable temperatures. If you’re a female, only wear high heels if you can walk and run confidently in them. If you want to be taller, stick with kitten heels or platform shoes; a significant heel can cause foot damage and is definitely not practical. Shoes that nerds are commonly associated with wearing are Chuck Taylor All-Stars, loafers, dress shoes, or boat shoes. Measure your feet before you go shoe shopping. You want to make sure the shoes you buy give your feet plenty of support and comfort, and enough room for you to wiggle your toes. If you have foot problems like flat feet, meet up with a podiatrist to have your feet examined - it’s okay if you need to wear orthopedics! Colored pants are a staple of the nerdy style. You can wear any pants you like, but only wear ones that are comfortable for you. Popular color choices include olive green, maroon, brown, gray, mustard yellow, and navy blue. Khakis are a classic choice if colored pants aren’t your thing. Chino pants are a more casual alternative.

Try using T-shirts to advertise your interest in your favorite video games, movies, books, or TV shows. This may attract new nerdy friends who like the same things. Try on button-down shirts, long-sleeved or short-sleeved ones. You can wear it in a solid color or with a pattern. To appear dressier, wear a tie and keep the shirt buttoned up all the way. Polo shirts are a more casual alternative if button-down shirts aren’t your thing.

Because nerds aren’t into fashion statements, wearing fake glasses isn’t really a nerd thing. (Geeks and hipsters sometimes do this. ) Glasses can also help make you more attractive, as long as you wear them with confidence.

Some nerds go for the disheveled look (by accident or choice). There’s nothing wrong with this as long as you’re showered and clean.

Sometimes, correcting others hurts more than it helps. If a person is sensitive or in a bad mood, or if the situation isn’t good, let it slide. (With the exception of health issues, of course. ) If you know that a person prefers to be corrected, discreetly correct them and don’t make it a big deal. Support fellow nerds. If you should find one getting bullied or snubbed by his or her non-nerdy peers, be there for him or her. Introduce yourself and invite him or her to spend time together with you so you can get to know each other better.

Make the dictionary and thesaurus your friend. Whenever you come across a word you don’t know, consult the dictionary. Whenever you believe you could be using a better word given the circumstances, consult a thesaurus. Skip the overly complex or obscure words if you’re talking to a child or someone with a limited vocabulary. The point of communication is to share ideas, not make the other person feel inferior. Recognize that prioritizing other things doesn’t mean someone is unintelligent or boring. Some people who love to style hair are interested in the chemistry that is used to make hair products. Some football players love the theatre and acting. It’s good to be friends with fellow nerds, though you shouldn’t judge non-nerdy people for not being “smart. " Maybe they didn’t have the same educational opportunities as you have had or they have a disability. They still could be interesting in other ways, and you never know what you could learn from them.

Be cautious about alcohol, especially if you are underage. This can impair your judgment and could harm your ability to recognize harmful or dangerous activities. Say “no thanks” if anyone offers you drugs.

If you don’t know any nerds who are interested in what you do, find a community online or try to get your own friends interested in aspects of nerdiness. The web is increasingly becoming an important social community for nerds, mainly because of its focus on free expression and its utility as platform for technology. Don’t be afraid to branch out to non-nerdy friends too. They have their own values and interesting perspectives.

Anime/Manga nerd—a nerd who is obsessed with Anime or Manga, and basically everything Japanese in general. Also called ‘Wapanese’ (a more derogatory term meaning white people who pretend to be Japanese). Nerds of these sorts also call themselves ‘Otaku,’ which is a Japanese insult meaning ‘fanatic. ’ (The term is not generally recognized outside of Japan, and is used mostly by American anime and manga fans. ) The Otaku community is not just a group of rabid fans; they are often prolific and creative fan fiction writers. Otaku often attend anime and manga conventions, and sometimes engage in cosplay. Otaku are generally common, and easy to find in a group of nerds. Comic book nerd- these are nerds that are interested in comic books and comic book characters, especially superheroes. You can be a nerd about the Marvel/DC Comics superhero franchise or you can be interested in other, non manga comic books and graphic novels such as The Archies. These nerds are similar to the manga nerds and they may be involved in activities such as cosplaying. Music nerd—also called “band geeks. " These nerds got groove. They’re usually seen with their instrument of choice or silently tapping out complicated drum rhythms. DJ nerd—practices constantly, hordes vinyl in massive quantities, and can remember the artist, track name, record label, year of release, and a million other obscure details about every record ever released in their chosen favorite genre. They also like to make DJ playlists for their own benefit. Computer nerd—helpful, and can compile a kernel in a heartbeat. They know at least 1 programming language, and are skilled hackers. Usually seen putting the finishing touches on a website or helping the computer-tech teacher. Video game nerd—these nerds are becoming more common daily. Always seen playing and competing in the latest games, they are the progenitors of the ‘1337’ language, and usually identify each other by conversing in it. A sub-class of the Computer nerd. However, video games are more of a geek thing. Factoid nerd—annoying at times, but weirdly endearing. Can recite dozens of things no one needed to know — from the full “Hamlet’s Soliloquy” to the nutritional value of goat’s milk (not just trivia, but things might matter in your knowledge-base). History nerd—Knows everything about their favorite time period(s). Compares everyday life to historical events. Is a historian by a young age and could beat out college students in American Government class. Competitive nerd—compares results, too much; may breathe loudly, and also glance around to see who’s not finished, in their marginal time—has to be the first one done (or the last one, if it requires depth and thoroughness). Often alienates others. Always wants to be the best at everything, especially in academics. Dorky nerd—gifted with a natural lack of grace and style. They have difficulty carrying on a conversation about topics that are not their obsession. Nevertheless, they are often sweet and endearing. Drama nerd—possessed with an attitude, which is rare in other types of nerds. They know the ins and outs of many theater arts, including dance, mime, chorus, et cetera. Math nerd—usually knows calculus at a young age or another form of advanced math. They enjoy playing with numbers and learning more than what is taught in school. You can get math nerd stuff such as tutorials on the Internet. [13] X Research source Natural science nerd—initially a generalist, he/she almost always specializes in one form of science (biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology) at a very young age and proceeds to become a super-specialist. “Sci-Fi” nerd—a nerd who loves Star Wars, X-Files, Comics, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stargate SG-1 or Stargate Atlantis, Lexx, Farsape, Andromeda, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Zombies and/or Star Trek. May be a geek. Literature nerd—specializes in fiction, almost always seen to be reading or composing post-modern essays. Usually has a favorite era of literature. Known to be able to produce a notebook out of nowhere. Distinct from emo poets. Speech nerd—speaks clearly and enunciates well. Launch randomly into friendly lectures. Never shuts up. Speaks too passionately for this subject, compared to the average person’s disinterest. Debate nerd—always firm in their beliefs. They do their homework on controversial issues, so don’t mess with them! They can be found in debate clubs (obviously) and are usually holding some sort of argument even if they’re just playing devils advocate. No-crap nerd—these nerds will not deal with others’ bad behavior and will stand strong with what they know and believe. These nerds may also take martial art, weightlifting classes, boxing, etc. to be able to stand up and fight, a rarity among nerds. Fabricator nerd—can design and build engineering and physics projects, and use power tools like nobody’s business. They know how to work everything from a soldering iron to a chainsaw. . . sometimes without even checking a manual. Many construction nerds are robotic nerds. Robotics nerd—joins programs like BEST, FIRST, or other after-school robotics clubs. They can usually work any kind of remote (and with lightening speed) and are usually good with electronics/computers. Rail nerd—a nerd who has an obsession with railways, usually known as a trainspotter. Often seen at a station with a notebook, camera, or binoculars. Road nerd—Also called a road geek, these nerds specialize in roads. They go to “road meets”, and drive around a lot. Hot nerd—The most elusive of all nerds, due challenges in identifying the species by sight alone. Demands an approximately 1:1:1 ratio of cute, funny, and intelligent. Common traits include: individual activities (willing to separate from the pack), ability and willingness to read a book outside of Stephen King, Michael Crichton or John Grisham, tends to be quiet yet articulate; a subtle sense of humor and quick wit. . . and, of course, cuteness. Cool nerd—this is a social classing of a nerd, also referred to as ‘popular nerds. ’ However, don’t be deceived by the words “cool” or “popular. " These nerds still have their quirks, it just means that they are more sociable than other nerds. Most cool nerds have a good sense of humor and dress in an edgy, fashionable way. Awkward nerd—this is the second type of social classing for nerds. These nerds can range from socially inept to just annoying, but basically boil down to awkward (hence the name). Being awkward isn’t a completely bad thing. They have friends and meet all the requirements of being a nerd, but they normally have less of a social life. Social science nerds—Usually dwell in fields such as psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, and political science. These guys take the crown for jargon, articulation, and long-windedness. Although their ideas are often overlooked, they still manage to propose earth-shattering epiphanies about human behavior. Astronomy nerd – They are very interested in astronomy and know a lot about it. These nerds will sometimes have themselves nose deep in an astronomy book.