“Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government” – Dennis the Peasant, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. If you haven’t seen this movie, you’re missing out. To be honest, most of these films should be on everyone’s watch list, but that’s me getting a bit too excited.
You know who else loves to nerd out? This Facebook page right here, “Nerdy Memes 4 U.” The founder of the page previously told Bored Panda that they were grateful for all the popularity the page had received throughout the years. “I’m extremely grateful and I’m shocked each time I open my eyes to see how much this page has grown,” they said.
Since the last time we spoke, the page has continued to grow and develop further, which we are excited to see. “I have a lot of love for the interactions I have with those who follow the page, as well as for those who are simply stopping by to check things out,” said the founder. The goal of the page has always been to spread joy and laughter throughout the internet and to help brighten people’s day.
“One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them. In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie.” – Lord of the Rings. Although being a nerd is quite cute nowadays, back in the day, the term was ridden with mocking.
Even now, the two definitions of nerdiness on Merriam-Webster seem to show two sides of the same coin: 1) a person devoted to intellectual, academic, or technical pursuits or interests, and 2) an unstylish or socially awkward person. In simpler terms, you can be incredibly passionate about your subject, but the stigma of being unpopular may follow you around.
However, the founder of the “Nerdy Memes 4 U” page believes that how one chooses to react to it all matters. “People tend to generalize and have a warped perception of culture or personality types that they don't understand or have little interest in,” they said. “Being called a ‘Nerd’ or a ‘Geek’ used to carry negative undertones at one time, but slowly, over the years, it's become more of a badge of honor.”
“Instead of allowing the term to remain degrading, people began to embrace it as a compliment. I find it's pretty rare these days to hear someone call someone else a "nerd" as an insult. Sure, someone might try to use it in a negative sense, but that doesn't mean it's widely accepted as such anymore,” they continued.
“I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.” – HAL, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Although things are shifting, one cannot ignore the fact that ridicule still occurs when it comes to geeks, however, many times said negativity is coming from within the communities themselves.
Laurie Trueblood, a writer and life coach, believes it to be the most ironic kind of bullying, often coming in the form of gatekeeping—when someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to a community or identity.
When asked what they thought about this notion and what needed to change in order for all to be valued and accepted, the Facebook group’s founder stated: “This question is a difficult one to answer, as there are two unfortunate sides to this coin. On the one side is where we desire for everyone to be respectful and kind to one another, and then on the other side is the unfortunate realization that the likelihood of accomplishing it is not an easy task.”
“Spock. This child is about to wipe out every living thing on Earth. Now, what do you suggest we do? Spank it?” – Dr. McCoy, Star Trek: The Motion Picture. "Within the circles I'm a part of, I love having debates and discussions and usually the conversations are fun. However, for others, it can easily escalate into a heated argument and all at once everyone is taking things way too personally,” they said, further noting that disagreements are bound to pop up if there is a difference in opinion.
“I think everyone needs to remember that it's okay to agree to disagree,” they continued. “Our differences are amazing—and it's because of these differing viewpoints that we can have whole new conversations brought to the table. That's one of the best parts of enjoying the same interests.”
The founder believes that everyone should be open to different perspectives, not taking someone else’s dissimilar views to heart. “Also don't snub someone if they get a fact incorrect,” they said. “No one is an encyclopedia with endless knowledge, not even hardcore fans. Give more room for error and kind correction if necessary. That's a good step toward having everyone feel accepted in communities.”
“Some days, you just can’t get rid of a bomb!” – Adam West, Batman & Robin. “If I had one message I could share with my followers, as well as readers of Bored Panda, it would be to not let others dictate what you can enjoy or how you're supposed to enjoy it,” said the founder of “Nerdy Memes 4 U.”
“Don't be afraid to express your passions. We need to embrace our differences instead of using them as a means to tear each other down. If it wasn't for conflicting ideas and views, some of our favorite properties most likely wouldn't exist. So, embrace yourself and don't let anyone else take away from who you are,” they concluded.
“Ray, if someone asks you if you’re a god, you say YES!” – Winston, Ghostbusters. Although great progress has been made in making society more accepting of nerds, there’s still a long way to go, especially when it comes to the community itself. It seems that we need to continue to support each other and stand up for those who are bullied or harassed, embrace those who want to be part of our hobbies, and remind others that there is a wide world of acceptance out there.
As you continue scrolling through this list of memes, make sure to upvote your favorites, leave some comments, and mayhaps share your own experiences. Make sure to check out “Nerdy Memes 4 U” on Facebook, and I hope you have a great rest of your day! Toodaloo!
