WeThinkllc.com

the redefinition of a “cool nerd”

March 11th, 2009

TheThinkMovement.com by j. sakiya sandifer

Way before Pharrell and crew became major on the scene, I would often define myself as a cool nerd.  I can still remember the countless hours of delight spent making slightly pornographic images run down the TV screen created on my Commodore 64.  I know that ’s really dating myself, but I willingly do so in an effort to prove my point.

Now I know some of you maybe thinking…uhmm, Sakiya…that makes you more a “nerdy pervert” than a “cool nerd” . Being that you might have a point, the following  list outlines what I think best describes the quintessential cool nerd…

1. The Cool Nerd may be perceived at times as detached from social variety, or social ambition.

2.  In between generations – maybe couldn’t connect or missed one where they could fit in.

3. Knows most of the popular songs, but has no need to memorize the lyrics.

4. In conversation, they can do little more than just answer the question.

5. Finds studies of minorities/underdogs fascinating, but rarely identifies with those groups.

6. Smart but a poor speller.

7. Lacks internal controls to dumb down things for others.

8. Sees education as a social tool, and merely procedural.

9. Has lacked or lacks the ability to place value to a situation, especially when they have to improvise.

10. Very analytical of moments in history, complementing how they see education.

11. Wants to be loved, but can’t find value in it.

12. No religious connections, but very astute about world religions.

NOTE: This list was written about 4 years ago as a character breakdown for a TV pilot that Kanye and I were in the process of developing. As I was reading the list again recently, I noticed the thin line between my self-analysis and my creative expression.  Could they be one in the same???

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Entry Filed under: Humor, TTM Exclusive, Think About It!

3 Comments

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  • 1. moe  |  March 12th, 2009 at 12:35 PM

    Maybe self fulfilling prophecy a little? i’m not a big fan of creating terms like this one, because then you get a culture of people that want to fit in that box (i.e. gangsta, prep, b-boy, hippie, etc, etc.) and then it gets played out. the cool nerd catagory is fast growing. but hey, i guess theres enough positive results to being a cool nerd to justify this term!

  • 2. leandra  |  March 14th, 2009 at 11:52 PM

    “wants to be loved but can’t find value in it.”

    let’s discuss…

    when/why/how does love lack value?

  • 3. moe  |  March 16th, 2009 at 4:21 PM

    when its not real


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