Nerds

EG just called me a nerd. Can a mom be a nerd? Is there a discrepancy between the two--kind of a never-the-twain-shall-meet thing? If you parent, can you be a nerd? Do nerds marry?

Which led me to my next quest--I went to urbandictionary.com and checked the definition of "nerd."

A person who is extremely smart. Most have an obession with some sort of sci-fi saga but some don't. Often rediculed (sic) for being to (sic) dad gom smart. NOT obessed with computers (those are geeks). That one kid who's in your innercircle that all ways (sic) makes the best grades and feels out of wack if they miss an airing of Firefly.

Okay, so what's Firefly? And should I believe an online dictionary which improperly spells "ridicule" or doesn't use the adverbial form of "too?" And "all ways?" Ack.

Which led me to Merriam-Webster online. The definition there is "an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person, especially: one slavishy devoted to academic or intellectual pursuits."

Um--no, thank you. And I won't even mention the colon misuse.

Wikipedia, which a true nerd would view with some derision, says, "Nerd is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests that are age-inappropriate rather than engaging in more social or popular activities. Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a loner by peers, or will tend to associate with like-minded people." Wikipedia goes on to suggest that being a nerd is being "hyperwhite."

Guess not.

So, since I am trying to occupy my brain while Rocky reads The Picture of Dorian Gray, a book which he told me he was reading last night at eleven o'clock when his lights were supposed to be out and when in reality he was playing with Matchbox cars, and which I am now lovingly giving him PLENTY of opportunity to pursue since he was so "dad gom" interested in it (HA), I noodled around a bit on Wikipedia (I know, I have fallen so far), and I found this definition: A Public Intellectual can be defined as somebody who uses his or her intellect to work, study, reflect, speculate on or ask and answer questions about a wide variety of ideas. Though the term 'public intellectual' has traditionally remained non gender specific it continues historically to be a role predominantly occupied by men.

Supposedly, the female public intellectuals were strongly involved in feminism, which lessened their respect for being intellectuals.

I guess am a feminist--I had a subscription to Ms. Magazine when I was in high school, for crying out loud. However, I don't dislike men, nor do I loudly proclaim the injustices which I perceive in the roles of women--I just IGNORE them and do what's right for me. I think if all women did the same, there would be no question that we are all equal.

So, I guess I am not a nerd. I am not a public intellectual, nor am I a feminist. I am a woman. And a mom. And a human being. And if you look up "human being" on Wikipedia, you will see that there is a richness and depth of information on humans.

Works for me.