As far as American teenagers are concerned, the role of the nerd is largely to be ostracised, pitied or ignored. However, as may be surmised, the existence of the type of nerd that is seen lurking around American high schools amounts to much more than a stereotype. While this entry cannot begin to account for the many variations among personalities of those teenagers who call themselves or are called nerds, it hopes to explain somewhat the culture associated with this social group.

The Word

Nerds have a long history of exclusion from children's and teenagers' society. Many kids with an interest in intellectual pursuits and/or a level of social ineptitude are called 'nerds' by their peers as a form of insult, one often combined with other, more physical forms of ostracising or even violence. The word has acquired a negative connotation and so many people who exhibit traditionally 'nerdy' qualities prefer to be called 'geeks', a word that is perhaps more neutral. The word 'geek' has been claimed in particular by more technologically-oriented nerds, though some teenagers of all types still continue to call themselves nerds.

While this entry does not wish to trivialise the terminology choices of nerds and geeks, it will continue to use 'nerd' for clarity's sake.

Identifying a Nerd

There are usually a few classic symptoms that cause kids to identify themselves or other kids as nerds. Throughout history nerds have been noted for their intelligence and interest in academic pursuits, in particular analytical reasoning such as that measured by IQ tests. However, modern nerds place much of their stake in technology. No self-respecting nerd is without at least some computer literacy, and many have a good deal more than that — whether obsessively reading web comics with in-jokes that will appeal to them or programming in languages like C++ or, for extra 'nerd points', older languages like BASIC. Some nerds have built their own computers or customised Linux operating systems to suit their needs.

Nerds are also frequently devoted to science fiction and fantasy — knowing all there is to know about all five incarnations of Star Trek or having built up an amazing Babylon 5 collectible card game deck would be sure signs that one is dealing with a nerd. More generally, though, nerds are often interested in stories that take place in worlds other than our own. While there are likely deep-seated psychological reasons for this, this entry will not discuss them. Suffice to say that if you can think of a sci-fi/fantasy book, whether a mainstream serial novel or the classics of Isaac Asimov and Ursula LeGuin, a nerd somewhere has read and loved it.

Nerds of a more imaginative bent will also sometimes create their own stories, whether through fan-fiction¹ or through role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons or live-action role-play like that practiced by the Society for Creative Anachronism. Nerds also express themselves in the usual ways for teens, such as poetry, music or art.

Nerds frequently have a love of nonconformity, sometimes pursuing individuality just for individuality's sake. It is not uncommon to hear a nerd say, 'I don't like this band/book/movie/trend because everyone else does'. On the other hand, some nerds will simply pursue their own interests without much care for what the rest of the world thinks. The advantage of already being unpopular is that you can't really hurt your chances any further.

Common Misconceptions

Those not members of nerdy crowds sometimes see nerds as complete social outcasts, to be pitied and helped. Numerous attempts have been made by more 'normal' teenagers to 'take care' of nerds and 'help them out', by inviting them to join in non-nerdy activities or by advising them on what will help them become more popular. However, it is rare that, by the teenage years, a nerd will have no friends at all. In a given high school there are usually enough people with similar nerdy interests to join together and form their own clique. Nerds often see the attempts to give them 'makeovers'² as more ridiculous than anything else. It should be noted that nerds have chosen their more individualistic lifestyle because they are not sufficiently satisfied by more popular trends, and thus the efficacy of trying to mainstream them is somewhat dubious.

Opportunities for Nerds

For those who have determined that they qualify as nerds or geeks but don't have a group of like-minded friends, it can often be difficult to figure out how to spend one's time and who to hang out with. The teenage community, in fact, provides more opportunities for nerds to come together than might initially be supposed. School organisations such as competitive quizbowl, maths or science teams are often havens for nerds, as are school clubs that provide meeting places for those interested in certain RPGs and video games. Such groups, naturally, can also meet outside of school.

The Internet is easily the largest meeting place for nerds. Indeed, one could argue (if one was so inclined) that the entire Internet is a nerd haven! Many online communities exist that attract large numbers of nerds, whether based around a given game or function or a more general unifying principle³.

In short, unlike most other teenagers, nerds may not be much interested in the mainstream culture of the day. However, there can be no doubt that nerds are normal people in every sense of the word. In fact, in the words of one authority that nerds all over the world respect beyond measure⁴, they are really mostly harmless.