What’s this? I have a blog? What!?

Yes, I didn’t blog for 10 days. Yes, I have a valid excuse. No, I am not going to use it, because it still isn’t acceptible to not blog for this long. Apologies, and heres a new blog to satisfy your cravings for awesomesauce.

This week on the box, we have yet another rant. Do you see a recurring theme here? I like to rant! Tonight’s rant is about something fairly close to home for me – the negative associations attached to the word ‘nerd’. You should all be familiar with the term – perhaps some of you have been the victim of this often vicious label. But how many of you proudly call yourselves a nerd? That’s not a rhetorical question – I’m actually interested to know. I’m comfortable enough in who I am to proudly shout (or caps-abuse) to the world, that I am (shockingly) a nerd. A nerdfighter, actually, but I’ll cover that another day.

ZOMG GUYS! YOU KNOW THAT ZAPHIIE GIRL? YEAH, THE LOSER WHO BLOGS? YEAH, WELL SHE’S A NERD! *collective gasp*

Now, here’s some background knowledge. The term ‘nerd’ was first coined by Dr. Seuss, and at first it had absolutely nothing to do with intellect. It was just like the other variety of interesting names of interesting creatures thrown into his awesome books. Which I love, by the way. Dr. Seuss fandom, all the way. It was only fairly recently (in historical terms) that the term ‘nerd’ was actually applied to people, and from the beginning, it was an insult, used to alienate and belittle people of higher intellect, or people who obsessed over obscure, often intellectual subjects. Today, the list of hobbies and passions that can land oneself labelled as a nerd is endless.

This list includes things such as reading a lot, enjoying school (or a given subject at school), being a fan of Harry Potter, Doctor Who, or having obscure hobbies such as web-design. An above-average knowledge of computers quickly categorizes you as a nerd. In fact, simply being intellectual is enough to have you labelled as one.

Now, on this list, you might note that nothing listed is a less than admirable trait. In fact, some of the qualities of the average nerd are qualities that many people aspire to have. In this power-hungry day and age, many people would give an arm and a leg to excel at something intellectual, to get a good job and succeed. And fact is, nerds generally do succeed, even those whose forte is not intellectual.

If this is the description of a nerd, why are the connotations so negative? The title, which bears a description suggesting that it should be something one is proud of, has become a hugely negative label thrust upon groups of very different, very individual, and very awesome people. And they suffer for it.

Now, I don’t have the answers to all my rhetorical questions. I may be a nerd, but I’m not omniscient (something I think a large proportion of people at my school need to get through their heads!) But I do feel the effects of the stereotypes, and while I’m confident enough in myself for the comments not to bother me, their effects on others make me really, really angry. For example, I have several friends who have phenomenal ability at several subjects, to the point that they are among the top ten in my grade. Some of these friends enjoy and obsess over Doctor Who, or Harry Potter, or equally ‘nerdy’ subjects. I don’t expect, or ask my friends to be self-obsessed or egotistical. But their self-confidence to be open about some of their more nerdy traits is severely inhibited – beyond the point of modesty, and to the point of dangerously low self-esteem. Personally, I think that this has to have something to do with the negative social connotations of being ‘nerdy’.

One of my friends (and please don’t kill me for saying this), snaps at me and is hugely opposed to her being described as nerdy in any way. And it makes me sad. I don’t expect anyone to openly call themselves by a term that is largely an insult, but I do expect that my friends would have some faith in their abilities, without being afraid of being shot down by society, because they are hugely talented in what they do. If this particular friend is reading this, I hope that she knows how true this is. I’m not being biased.

There are plenty of negative effects brought on by the label of nerd. A lack of self-confidence. Rudeness from the stuck-up individuals who consider themselves ‘popular’. But for me, the biggest problem with this label, is that the first thing people see when they look at you is your grades. People who don’t know me well, but know my face and have been in my classes, often look at me and just see the nerdy girl who gets good grades, and obsesses over some fairly obscure topics. Fair enough, but sometimes this gets in the way of them even trying to get to know me. They assume that, like the stereotypical nerd in films and media, I have no social skills, no tangible sense of humour, and generally would not be a good friend. Most of the time, when these people talk to me in class, their sentence will be similar to this:

“Zaphiie, you’re smart, can you help me with this…”

It drives me absolutely insane. I’m trying very hard not to swear for emphasis, that’s how annoying I find this.

I’m Zaphiie. I’m fourteen, I’m a proud nerd, I obsess over Youtubers and Harry Potter, and I rock out to ALL CAPS and Wizard Rock. I write fanfiction in my spare time, get good grades, am fluent at CSS and HTML, and I just spent my Friday night blogging. But you know what? I’m not such a bad person. I’m actually quite fun. Get to know me – the only thing getting in your way is you and your pre-conditioned inhibitions.