Culture has changed over time. I remember back in early middle school when “nerds” were still shunned from the socially popular circles of youth and were outcasts who liked weird things. In the present day with the evolution of the Internet and obsessive culture, the rest of the world has seemed to have caught up: making it finally cool to be a “nerd” and celebrate with others in the things that we love.

Basically, I love being a nerd, and it is a title I wear proudly. I label myself one after all. But what is being a nerd exactly? While I associate the term “geek” with intelligent people, especially those interested in learning new things (I would fall into this category as well, trust me), nerds are essentially defined in my eyes as following a certain fandom or “nerdom.”

So in this understanding of the “nerd,” we can come to the conclusion that these breeds of human beings are more common than at once thought of. Some nerds can speed-run "Dark Souls" or "The Legend of Zelda." Others still can recite encyclopedic information from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in preparation for new films to come. However, there are other nerds too; I like to call them nontraditional nerds because we, as a society, just have not come to realize yet that they are nerds too and have been all along.

For instance, the kid we have labelled a jock is actually a nerd. He or she closely follows the stats and players of every sport from football to basketball. That peer who is obsessed with the Kardashian family or is into the next big music prodigy goes crazy over them. They are a nerd too.

I say this because I associate being a nerd with having a passion for something that is not yourself and then having a desire to make that something part of your identity. Why else would I describe myself as a gamer to new friends? This is also why people idolize certain celebrities. They are so passionate about these famous folks in the public eye that they want to replicate their lifestyles and act how they act.

Nerds see the value in a variety of things whether it be art of just another part of life. In this sense of understanding, it just seems healthy to be a nerd. To have a passion beyond yourself and your goals gives you extra drive to be a great human being and to enjoy life as well.