Everyone has their own different interests and hobbies. That is what makes us who we are. Certain hobbies or interests that you have are things that we know just about everything about. You know them so well that you might even consider yourself an expert. Would you classify yourself if as a nerd for that interest or hobby? Wait, before you answer that question, what does is a “nerd” anyways? Nerd is a slang term that is most commonly recognized as, “someone who is considered to be socially awkward, different, and quirky.” The definition of a nerd that I will be referring to is more along the lines of, “an intelligent but single-minded person that is very much obsessed with a nonsocial hobby, interest or pursuit.” For example, if you are a computer nerd, you are very educated in the workings of computers and how to fix, utilize and operate them. As for myself, I …show more content…
Well good question. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… just kidding. When I was about six or seven I watched my first Star Wars episode: The Phantom Menace which actually was released the year I was bord. So 1999 to be exact. Upon watching The Phantom Menace, I fell in love. At that age I didn’t quite fully understand the complicated plot line of the blockade of Naboo and the dangers that Obi Wan Kenobi was enduring, but I still loved it. I remember watching the scene in which young Anakin Skywalker offers to race with his pod to raise money. Then Qui-Gon feels the Force in the boy and the rest is history. I idolized Anakin not realizing that he would become Darth Vader in the future. After watching the first movie, I was hooked. My parents only furthered my interest in the series by purchasing my lunch boxes, cups and other Star Wars merchandise. Eventually I had everything from blankets to toy lightsabers to wall decals in my room. I was Princess Leia for Halloween when I was nine and then Darth Vader when I was ten. The obsession didn’t end
According to its first definition of the word, a nerd is a "foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious." That sounds about right. But Oxford's first definition of geek is synonymous: "An unfashionable or socially inept person." Oxford's second definitions of both words are also synonymous, nerd as "an intelligent, single-minded expert in a particular technical discipline or profession" and geek as "a person with an eccentric devotion to a particular interest. (Goldsborough, 2010)
The nerd trope is ubiquitous to American media and culture. Usually, it’s an academically ambitious kid who has beyond thick glasses, tucked pants, and acne: a target. Leonid Fridman takes on this stereotype in “America Needs Its Nerds.” Fridman condemns America’s neglect and contempt for intellect. He argues that America’s perspective is self-destructive through the use of definition, example, and patriotism.
The famous Star Wars is a movie from the epic space film series directed by George Lucas premiered in 1977. Since there are multiple Star Wars movies in the series, this paper will be focusing on the first movie of the series called Star Wars: A New Hope.
What is a geek? A geek is “a street performer who… bites off heads of live chickens.” In the passage “America Needs Its Nerds” by Leonid Fridman, Fridman argues why “America needs its nerds.” He begins by illustrating how the “intellectually curious” and “academically serious” are ostracized. From there he displays in the open why “nerds are ostracized while athletes are idolized.” Fridman develops his argument by displaying why “nerds are ostracized while athletes are idolized” and comparing the U.S with other countries across the globe on an intellectual platform.
I grew up watching Star Wars. Some of my earliest memories were watching the original trilogy on VHS with my grandma. I vividly remember going to theatres to watch the prequels. Words cannot express the emotions I had seeing this worlds and characters come to life before my eyes. Ever since then, I knew that I wanted to make movies. Fast forward a decade or so, there is now a new Star Wars trilogy gearing up and I am going to college to get a degree in Communications.
In the fiction world heroes have been one of the most entertaining figures. It has always been fun and interesting to read about heroic stories and about different obstacles that heroes had overcome. When someone mentions the word "hero" it is more likely to think of characters like Batman or James Bond, but it is for sure that if we had the chance to ask the same question centuries before, the answer would have been different. From comics or TV it is seen that heroes change physically and spiritually through time, but the heroic pattern stays always the same when moving from ancient times to today's heroes.
Quite possibly one of the most iconic openings in cinematic history is “A Long time ago in a galaxy far far away.” Of course, I am referring to Star Wars. It is such a fascinating and great movie going experience. There have been a total of seven Star Wars films, but in this essay I am going to be focusing on Star Wars: Episode 3- Revenge of the Sith. This film was written and directed by George Lucas and of the science fiction genre. Revenge of the Sith was released in theaters on May 19, 2005.
Like to know that the first Star Wars came out in 1977 and the movie is so clean as in special effects that it would make any geek overfill with excitement and possibly rewatch the whole movie again it’s just a movie you will never get tired of.
In the opening two paragraphs of the passage, Fridman brings up two points of view of what a nerd is; his opinion and a dictionary's definition. His personal definition is that a nerd is someone who is “intellectually curious and academically serious.” (3-4). Whereas in the Webster’s New World Dictionary a nerd/geek is “a street performer who shocks the public by biting off heads of live chickens”(6-7). There is a great disconnect between these two definitions.
Leonid Fridman in his article “America Needs Its Nerds” (1990) proposes that “For America’s sake the anti-intellectual values that pervade our society must be fought.” Fridman accomplishes the by first spelling out how the meaning of the terms geek and nerd are derogatory, secondly, he explains how at prestigious colleges “nerds are ostracized while athletes are idolized.” Third, Fridman describes how other countries treat the intellectually serious: hold them and teacher above athletes. Through his utilization definition, rhetorical question, and contrast, Fridman attempts to convince America of why nerds are important to our society and to provide evidence as to why they should not be ridiculed. Throughout the article, Fridman employs a serious tone that is not overly scholarly with the purpose of trying to connect with the audience and causes the nerd’s importance resonates with the audience and does not go understated.
There are different types and levels of nerds, nerds come in all shapes and sizes. I am not talking about the candy; I am talking about the people. There are the gamers, the geeks, the book nerds, the science freaks, the list goes on and on. Most people don’t realize there is a difference in the type of nerd, but the differences between each group can be astonishing. The most well-known nerds are the gamers, and the book nerds; the differences between these three groups are striking but they are often put into the same category of nerd.
The meaning of the word nerd has made big changes since being first used in the late 1900’s. Like education scholar, Tracy L. Cross, I agree that nerds “were generally considered as socially inadequate, shy or overbearing, smart…Nerds were also perceived as being very focused on academic endeavors, physically
Dr. D is a cardiothoracic surgeon. He was my hero. He may well still be, even though he is a throw-back to the days when I was more concerned about science than symbolism.
The second group, known campus-wide, is the nerds because they are obsessed with books, constantly studying and learning about their interests. The nerds are usually annoying with their obnoxious laughter regarding a really stupid joke. The nerds wear a nice shirt with a bow tie, or a tie and a nicely ironed dress pants and always has a pocket protector to prevent ink stains from their pens. The nerd spends their school night with a tight schedule for recreation, school homework, and learning new things that captures their interests. Computer programming, calculator programming, the biology of their pet frog are some of the common things that interests the nerds.
My interests are gauged by how much time I spend in each of them. I spend time on my personal relationship with Christ (greatest interest), computing, writing, performing trumpet, and cycling, in order.