That nerd topic got me wondering, what makes you a nerd (seeing how I'm oretty damn certain most people here are).

Play too many games?
Call your PC a rig?
Technophile?

I play a bit of Call Of Cthulhu mostly because it's much easier and more horrific then DnD. I could never rap my head around the rules and sytem of DnD so I basically never play, similar to Shadowrun but I'm trying to learn. Making me a wannabe nerd I suppose? I dislike computers but prefer my SeXBox. I'm a movie Buff (as we don't like to be called movie nerds) and play Warhammer40k. So what, I'm on a 4/5 on nerdish scale?

I'm a nerd because I make references to everything I've seen/watched and NOBODY gets them. It makes me look wierd. I still do it. Maybe one day someone will get it. I do hang around internet forums too much. Don't seem to post too often though.

I became an irrevocable nerd after spending two days playing Half-Life (1 through to 2.2) and D&D.

But also I'm a movie nerd, comics nerd, and sci-fi nerd.

I'm a nerd because I play video games other than Halo and COD, and, lately anyway, I've been reading a lot of manga. Also I read ordinary books and care about my forum title on a gaming website. I also don't really play sports, although I've been trying to find a martial arts place that isn't 100% kids.

I'm pissed that I missed getting into Mensa by two IQ points.
I dream about C code and shell-opcodes
I've fallen asleep with my head resting on a computer case
Nobody understands the connections I make between items during conversation.
I check my karma daily on slashdot.
I pick up any computer and intuitively understand it on a medium level - I'm never shit hot but I'm never bad either
I can do basic examples of PGP encryption in my head
I get annoyed at PC gamers who think they know networking (which is mildly ironic considering the forum I'm posting on) because they've been to a LAN
I hate every user I ever come across.
I use tcsh and automate everything I can
I have earthquake sensors attached to my servers so they shut down in case of movement.
I have a 20TB array of disks in my home network - spread across two of the ten servers that are in my one bedroom apartment.

Yep I think I might just be nerdy...

*bows to Gitsnik's computer network*

Larenxis:
I became an irrevocable nerd after spending two days playing Half-Life (1 through to 2.2)

Oh, that's awesome! It took it slower played through the entire thing, but it took me a few weeks. Although I did also play Blue Shift and Opposing Forces as well.

I should probably say that I'm a comic book nerd too and a bit of a scifi although I've never watched an episode of Star Trek in my life.

I make the occasional reference to internet fads (Falcon Punch, Over 9000, All Your Base Are Belong To Us, etc.), but only to people who I know are in on the joke.

I spend too much time on the internet. That's not to say I should get outside more (I already do that, as my tanned skin and foot blisters can attest to), it's just that I've got nothing else to do.

I actually looked forward to the release of Brawl more than I looked forward to my high school prom. Then again, my prom was only fun for the first 2 hours or so.

I've learned a startling amount of words from games. I've learned despondent, progeny, fervent, and incontrovertible from Starcraft alone.

I think nerd is what other people call you when they don't like the things you like. Perhaps I'm old fashioned. I mean, I know, technically, I'm probably a nerd, because I like science fiction, computers, games, etc. etc. etc. ... but I absolutely hate the word.

Churchman:
*bows to Gitsnik's computer network*

For $20,000 AU (plus UPS', Additional Servers, Time spent to learn what I've learned) you too can have this. Get yourself a couple of 10TB NAS' online for about 10G's each if you wish.

That's another thing I do: Provide random information to people that will help improve their day etc. Problem is sometimes my complete lack of social skills come into play and I make the suggestions at bad times.

I think years of bad American programming like "Saved by the bell" have conditioned us all into thinking nerdiness is bad. Being interested in things is GOOD, it is wonderful that you can derride so much joy from something non-essential...or even fictional. People who don't understand, or lack the imagination to have hobbies of their own will make fun of you and tell you that you need to be more like they are. All I know is that all my friends who decided to "grow up" are now either boring workoholics or fill up their time with substance abuse.

Gitsnik:

Churchman:
*bows to Gitsnik's computer network*

For $20,000 AU (plus UPS', Additional Servers, Time spent to learn what I've learned) you too can have this. Get yourself a couple of 10TB NAS' online for about 10G's each if you wish.

I better start saving then.

I'm a GEEK *that is the medical term for it* because....lemme get the list...

-the first book i can recollect reading was the hobbit (no joke)
-I have played WoW, then stopped after seeing it for the half-baked rip-off of D&D it really is
-I can use burninate in a sentence.
-I know how a lightsaber works.
-I watch Star Trek
-I know what Shoryuken means
-I cried when the cut Tom Bombadil out of the LOTR movies
-I own all of the Monty Pythons Flying Circus skits..on DVD.
-....I made a list.....

i better stop now...

personally, I classify a nerd as someone who is intelligent but nerdy about it and a geek is someone who is into movies or games or computers and whatnot

my 8th grade chem teacher had a sign in his room saying "those who call you nerd now will call you boss later"

and whatever the work is nerd or geek, I'd say I'm moderate... I love video games and science fiction novels and movies

LewsTherin:

-I know how a lightsaber works.

-I own all of the Monty Pythons Flying Circus skits..on DVD.

-and I'm a nerd for watching things like History and Discovery channel, and finding out why the lightsaber won't work (they way it's explained in the series) - and how a lightsaber could work.

Also, Monty Python is awesome and I use to see his commercials for the flying circus collection on T.V. a lot - why does that make you a nerd? (Take this for whatever it's worth but in my books I'd see you as a "cool" person for having that)

I don't think of myself as a nerd, I'm just a guy that plays video games, likes movies, read books, understands Sci-fi and fantasy, once played warhammer excessively, role plays every now and again etc.

I realized I was a nerd when me and my girlfriends had an exciting high-pitched discussion over who our favorite underworld deities were and why they were so cool. Yes, I am a fantasy-loving RPG-playing mythnerd.

i my friends am a secret nerd. i don't really fall into any of the cleched nerdy things like say glasses or a steady hatred of all things sweaty but i love nothing more then video games and i have infact read those forgotten realms books

Well, I don't like to seriously use labels buuut, I'm more of a geek than a nerd.

I think nerds aren't that far from geeks, except they're more studious. Me, I am not the studying type, and I don't have patience for intaking large amounts of information unless I plan to do something with it.

So yeah, I'm a geek.

I used to be an avid anime fan, still read manga, I game a lot, I like sci-fi and superhero stuff.... I dunno, I guess that's "nerdy".

I don't come off as a nerd though, I've never had anyone call me a nerd or a geek. I just think that as far as labels go, that's the one I fall into. Geek I mean.

I became a nerd the moment I got glasses.

At that time I wasn't willing to accept it. But now, I think I'm a better person because of it.

I am very nerdy, although you'll be hard pressed to make me admit it or show it unless you actually show some expertise in some fields I know as well. (Eg: Most anything Star Wars, Star Trek TNG, Half Life 2, GMod, Most things Youtube, Video Compression, 3Ds Max, image compression, photoshop, sciency things, Homestar Runner...)

And since grade 8, I don't take offense to Geek, Nerd, Dork or Smart Weirdo. Those words have little meaning to me.

I agree with Russ on this one, I am no nerd, simply someone who's not ashamed of the things he enjoys.

I'm not a big nerd... just ace tests... As by your definition of nerd (I reckon you're talking about geeks), I'm one since I play quite a few video games, and have watched quite a few anime (no otaku by the way).

I'm a nerd because I read Wired.

I'm not a nerd because I've played sport for a state-team.

I'm a nerd because I spend more than four hours a day on the PC (non-work related)

I'm not a nerd because I'm fashionable

I'm a nerd because because I have to wear glasses to watch TV

I'm not a nerd because I don't know how to code (apart from very little HTML)

Make of that what you will

We're posting in the forums of a video game website. I think our status as nerds is assured.

A "Nerd" in my opinion is someone who not only holds interest in a particular subject that a wide majority wouldn't (though with video games this is rapidly changing), but also holds a vast bit of knowledge on these subjects and for some reason feels opinionated about them.

ever watch two nerds try to out nerd each other? priceless

I play Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 (that's a lie really, I haven't constructed a 40K army yet, waiting for Dark Eldar to be redone.) That's about it, I know absolutely nothing about computers or networking or photoshopping, or any cool computer related stuff. I maybe a movie nerd, but I think it's more I just remember quotes well, especially melodramatic ones. I read comic books occasionally, but don't keep up to date, hell, I don't probably don't even know all the main characters in Silver Surfer (my fav.)

I dunno why, but none of my nerdy habits have ever garnered anything but support. Usually people laugh at my nerdiness, as if it's some kind of thought out joke, but generally it's just me talking about my hobbies. I dunno, maybe it's because I'm a big guy people don't insult it for fear that I will throw them into a volcano or something.

I think it's not really what you DO that defines you as a nerd, but what you think and say. I mean, someone can be a nerd, but never have touched a PC, XBox, ect. Just my thoughts.

meh, id say i'm a nerd, but minus the social isolation... i'm something of an extravert.

I sleep with a Compaq Proliant DL360. Nuff said.

What makes me a nerd? let's see shall we?

- Have loved Sci-Fi since I was a tiny tucker
- Love reading Fantasy and Science Fiction books
- Make stupid references when I'm talking to someone, pop in a Simpsons quote or something and see if they get it
- Have been reading comics since I was 7, mainly Marvel but have also picked up a few issues of Supergirl and Green Arrow. Currently collecting Spawn. Bring back Godslayer dammit!
- Used to watch anime, but now collect Manga (collecting around 19 different titles)
- I go to anime conventions and geek out each time I see someone cosplaying as Dante from DMC.
- I strike video game and anime poses at random for no reason.
- I still play the Sega Master System (my first console), and am currently collecting old classics (PAL only)
- I geek out each time I see Stan Lee in Marvel movies, and in Mallrats.
- I used to play Magic: The Gathering, and consider going back into it.

I can go on all day, but the list is too long.

Pardon me but I can't help but suggest that this passion for being a nerd can actually get you guys some wii points. I honestly hope doing this doesn't get me banned but one of my friends from college is working on a website called www.gamecyte.com and he just opened up a contest where describing how much you are a nerd or geek you are can get you 4k or 2k wii points.

I don't mean to be plugging anything aside from the site mentioned above and how this correlates to the discussion at hand. If any moderator would prefer me to take this down please let me know via messages and I will be happy to edit this post or remove it completely.

Now with that out of the way let's get to my nerdiness ^_^
-Stayed up all night to watch midnight anime since the age of 12 (sci-fi, hbo etc.)
-I have been to midnight releases for many a game since EB/gamestop appeared on the scene
-During the retro gaming clothing era I bought quite a bit of gaming shirts to wear growing up
-I have pre-ordered games to get the bonus items such as shirts or game demos
-I have been to E3 during the years of 2004 and 2005 by working at a game store
-My favorite anime series is shojo anime such as Ah my Goddess, blue Seed, Sakura wars and I'm a guy. But I am a sucker for robotech and gundam (although I dont get to watch that much anime anymore)
-I keep all the nintendo gamesystems up in my room and can still play them
- I have volunteered at AX 2007 and attending this year
-I like listening to video game music and anime music

There is a lot of things I wish I could know more about such as programming and getting certified to fix computers.

I don't even feel like listing all the reasons I'm a nerd-- sufficed to say, I'm posting on The Escapist forums at 3 a.m.

PurpleRain:

Larenxis:
I became an irrevocable nerd after spending two days playing Half-Life (1 through to 2.2)

Oh, that's awesome! It took it slower played through the entire thing, but it took me a few weeks. Although I did also play Blue Shift and Opposing Forces as well.

I should probably say that I'm a comic book nerd too and a bit of a scifi although I've never watched an episode of Star Trek in my life.

Comic book nerd as well? Have you read Action Philosophers? I love 'em.

I am a nerd because I once tried to decide on which type of image file best fits my personality (I decided on .dds, useful, but never easily accessible).

I am a nerd because I once made a comeback in an argument after I was called nerd by calling him "a poorly compressed .GIF file" (this worked like a charm, because the other guy was so confused that he couldn't reply).

I am a nerd because I have personalised all the gamedata in CSS and STALKER beyond all recognition.

I am a nerd because I can actually read the error reports fron STALKER's bugtrap system.

I am a nerd because I can make my own (admittedly simple) weapons in garry's mod LUA coding.