People
I used to be a hardcore nerd. Nothing wrong with that — I had a blast playing the latest video games and collecting trading cards (Gotta Catch em’ All!). Heck, I still enjoy working up a sweat on my consoles (especially on the SNES), but now I put a higher emphasis on socializing.
What? Nerds don’t socialize? When I say nerd, I’m referring to the second definition at dictionary.com:
An intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit: a computer nerd.
It’s not as if I didn’t have friends, but in terms of popularity I was definitely not at the top. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not Mr. Popular at Uni either, but before, everything was about the games.
At the time, I didn’t realize the importance of socializing. In fact, I didn’t want to be popular. I linked popularity with obnoxiousness and ignorance (thinking back, I must have been pretty ignorant myself). I was happy the way I was and life was good.
Being a nerd is fine. However, after I began getting away from the games, my life kind of turned around or, at least, it turned in a different direction. I got interested in other things and I made friends with people who had different interests. I was introduced to new things and I found life more exciting.
Communication is an important skill — it isn’t always someone trying to be obnoxious (although there are cases where it is). Schools should probably put more emphasis on talking. No one’s going to hire you for a job if you can’t say “good morning.” That’s people for you, and that’s life.
— Alan Liang
Addendum: Yay for pi day! For a slightly disturbing clip on pi, look here.
Comments
That was the most disturbing clip I’ve ever seen. I think if you play the song backwards, they’re really saying “Hail Satan” or something.
Posted by: Carl | March 15, 2007 6:57 AM