White and Nerdy

I really wish that I could stake claim of creating this hilarious chart, but I can't. I simply came to it in my daily reading.

If I were to make an honest assessment of myself using this diagram as a guide I'd have to place myself as a Dork or a full on Nerd. I don't consider that a bad thing at all. My favorite part of this chart though, is the social ineptitude qualifier.

I was in a conversation the other day with a friend and we were talking about nerdy people. Now, I use nerdy to signify people that have a love for gaming, sci-fi, technology, math, anything which would just seem...well nerdy. You see them all the time, and to be honest they scare me to death. Often they smell bad, have horrible social skills, and are so detached from the norms of human interaction that they basically become a leech on society (I know some of you are thinking names...I'm not (at least, I'm trying not to), this is a generalization). Now I'm not scared of what they do or what they like, but rather that our interests are so similar that I'm afraid I'll become one of them, or worse off...that I already am. I confess. I'm a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons, and everything else that makes nerds across the globe buy extra elastic underwear for fear of an atomic wedgie from some jerky jock. Don't judge me.

I realized something though that temporarily let me regain some composure. As much as I like playing video games, submersing myself into a world of sci-fi, or reading up on the latest technological battle (apple vs. google for example), I've been able to maintain a pretty decent and productive lifestyle. I have a full time job, I'm still attending school, I've been playing basketball, golf, and soccer each week, I have a lot of great friends (couldn't tell that from this blog...all 3 of you that read it, haha), and have continued to be active at church. Now that's only a small list of things that I do, and I've previously shown how I use my time each week, and I'd have to say I feel quite productive.

I think that's were some of social stigma towards nerdiness comes from. It's not necessarily the fact that nerds like science fiction, playing games, etc... It's that they let those things take over their lives. You've heard horror stories of people that play computer games so much that they've taken on alternative virtual identities, neglecting their basic needs such as social relationships, diet, and even personal hygiene.

Gross. Please don't let me become like that.

As has been mentioned before, everything needs to have proper balance. I feel it's perfectly acceptable (and necessary) to enjoy some relaxing recreation for both the body and mind, and if that's watching some star trek, playin' a little D&D, or heck...building an arcade, then that's OK by me...as long as it's kept in moderation and doesn't detract from your other obligations and responsibilities as a human being. Maybe I should start an advertising campaign..."Game Responsibly".

Nah...