Nerds & the miracle of human consciousness

January 8, 2014

“…because nerds like us are allowed to be unironically enthusiastic about stuff… Nerds are allowed to love stuff, like jump-up-and-down-in-the-chair-can’t-control-yourself love it. Hank, when people call people nerds, mostly what they’re saying is ‘you like stuff.’ Which is just not a good insult at all. Like, ‘you are too enthusiastic about the miracle of human consciousness’.” – John Green

If you’re reading my blog, chances are you’re a nerd. I know I am. Hopefully you don’t hate this about yourself, you don’t try to hide it. But even if you are open about being a nerd, do you celebrate it? Do you not just accept it, but love it as well?

To be a nerd is to recapture the greatest part of childhood, the part where you can unabashedly love stuff. Nerds are those who have reclaimed one of the things that makes life so grand, something that many other adults had drummed out of them long ago. Where others have base cynicism, we have excitement and love.

I’m a nerd in many ways. I write fiction, I blog about anime, I play video games and board games, and I sample all sorts of beers and write down my impressions. Most of my friends and family know about these nerdy tendencies, but perhaps I should go further.

Instead of merely being a nerd, perhaps I should be celebrating it, because I don’t know about you, but I think being enthusiastic about the miracle of human consciousness is pretty damn cool.