I'm a Nerd And I'm Proud
Start writing a post
Entertainment

I'm a Nerd And I'm Proud

How Wesley Crusher gave me some much needed insight.

77
I'm a Nerd And I'm Proud

Earlier this week, I saw a video from Denver ComicCon in 2014. I'm kind of surprised I hadn't seen it until now. Wil Wheaton, mainly of Star Trek fame, answers a question from a young girl about how Wheaton dealt with being called a "nerd" in his younger years. You can watch the full answer here. It's remarkably powerful for only being a few minutes long.

Maybe it just resonates with me since I've felt that struggle. I've been called a nerd or a geek throughout my life. I have always been a huge fan of Star Wars, Star Trek, Indiana Jones and superheroes, and I often brought it up in conversation. As a kid, though, I found that some people thought that what I liked wasn't cool, and therefore I wasn't cool. It used to bother me. I never understood what I was doing wrong that caused other kids to call me names. Before I found that a lot of people like the same things that I do, I wondered if I was somehow different in a bad way. As time passed, though, I realized that everyone is entitled to like different things, and it's those differences that make people unique.

Even knowing this, hearing Wheaton's response was remarkably moving. Perhaps it was the fact that it came from Wil Wheaton, an actor who played a character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, one of my favorite shows ever, made it especially meaningful to me. Whatever the reason, I think this three-minute sound-byte has some real relevance.

Wheaton's point is easy to understand: other people shouldn't tell you what you should or should not like. Different people find different things appealing, and that's okay. People should not be judged based on what they like or what they find enjoyable. There is nothing wrong with someone gaining joy out of something, even if you yourself don't like it. That's why there is a variety of entertainment in this world: not everyone likes the same things as everyone else, but there is something for everyone. As someone who grew up hearing that things that I was a fan of weren't cool and that I should be an outcast because of that, I understand where the girl asking the question is coming from. Wil Wheaton understands where she is coming from; there are probably a lot of people of varying ages that completely understand the problem that this girl is facing. She just wants to know how to deal with other people making fun of her for what makes her happy. And Wheaton is absolutely right; you should not have to apologize to anyone for what makes you happy. I think that people who like things typically associated with "nerd culture" know how much it hurts to be picked on.

"It gets better," is probably the best three words a child can hear from Wesley Crusher. He's right again; once people get older, they tend to not make fun of people for something as trivial as what TV shows or movies they find entertaining. In fact, nerds have it especially good. There are a lot of people who love the same things this child does. ComicCon is one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world, and they're all hopeless nerds. But they embrace it and support each other. For a child to hear and see that the bullying does go away is so very comforting to them.

This is not to discount the rest of his statement, however. His answer is some of the most eloquent language I have ever heard to simultaneously answer a child's question, reassure them that things will get better, and tell them that it's okay to be different in general. Hearing Wil Wheaton say this made me proud to be a nerd, and I hope more kids see this video. At the end of the day, we're all just people who enjoy different things. So let's not shame others for what they like, even if it's different than what we like.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50567
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32328
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955616
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180701
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments