Vibes and the Nerdy Stereotypes
Pop culture has stereotypes. Vibes have superpowers. (3 minute read)
One of the challenges of this project is discussing vibes that may not seem flattering. Examples include a traditional nerd's social awkwardness, the cool kid's dismissive smugness, or the cringiness of someone trying to make an impression. We can’t ignore unflattering vibes. They’re obvious parts of how we socialize that I hope to discuss plainly and openly.
I make this point because characterizing vibes can feel close to stereotyping. Stereotypes reduce people to labels that don’t recognize the nuances and complexities of the person or people with similar qualities. We can do better.
Pop Culture and the Nerdy Stereotype
Popular culture has established that nerds exist and I don’t think that’s controversial. What is controversial is seeing nerdiness as a negative stereotype. Thankfully, perceptions have changed and today, the nerd label is often a source of pride, and rightfully so. Yet, the stigma persists.
I prefer to frame the idea of nerdiness as a vibe. Some people make an impression of nerdiness that’s natural to them and sensed by others. The nerdy vibe is a real and familiar part of our consciousness. The problem is that people easily fall back on tropes and assumptions that can feel like insults.
By thinking of nerdiness as a vibe, I hope to move away from the old ways of thinking and look at the nerdy vibe as a normal and productive part of who we are. I want to explore questions like:
What is the nerdy vibe?
Where does it originate?
What do people with the nerdy vibe have in common?
What can we learn about ourselves by understanding the nerdy vibe?
Why does this matter?
The preferences and attitudes of popular culture can seem monolithic. There is a consistent emphasis on wearing the “right” clothes, listening to the “right” music, having the “right” attitudes, and the “right” interests. It can seem like there is only one path and if you’re not on it, you need to change. There is a growing realization that this way of thinking is outdated and I agree.
An Example
Think of a young person who is a little nerdy and self-conscious. They are intelligent, rational, and have an authentic sense of themselves. They are also different. They don’t care about popular culture or the “right” things. Judged against the expectations of pop culture, they might feel weird, or that they don’t fit in. They may feel the need to change to be accepted. This can be a source of anxiety or even shame.
In his book NERDS: Who They Are and Why We Need More of Them, David Anderegg writes:
"Nerds feel shame not only because they are singled out as different but because the qualities that make them ‘nerds’—intellectualism, focus, social awkwardness—are presented as inherently undesirable. Society insists these traits are shameful, reinforcing the idea that intelligence and seriousness are embarrassing rather than admirable.”
I don’t expect this project to change society or popular culture. However, I hope it can help reframe the traditional concept of nerdiness as a vibe that is more like a superpower than a reason for shame. To do that, we’ll need to discuss nerdiness directly: what it is and how it works. We’ll get to that soon.
A Video
Having just discussed stereotypes, I recognize the irony of sharing a video called “White and Nerdy”. However, Weird Al is uniquely qualified to bring levity and wit to this discussion.