"NERD"

posted in The scriblings of Samsonite 2007 AD.

Published February 20, 2006

This is a rant

I'm now officially called a nerd at school.

Thats the simple part of it.

First I didn't care as much about it. As long as I had my friends it went OK. But then they started doing the same.
Isolating me.
Now I'm out. No friends. No supporters.
Why? Because I do what I love. Programming. It's not accepted at schools to be a programmer, or a computer sitter, or a good student. If you get good grades or pay attention in class(especially math classes), you're out. You also need to lock the teacher out of the classroom in order to earn som "cred".

Where the hell is this world going!? People don't know that programming requires alot of mathematics and creativity.
I visited my brother during my mums exhibition opening. And he asked me what I ought to be when I grow up(he is in his 30s).
I answered: "Either game programmer, or a 3D Engine Programmer".
He questioned me why I didn't take a more "creative" profession. "Programming isn't really creative. You just sit there and type in words" he said. I told him that Game programming requires a lot of math and good planning skills. He didn't believe me at first. But when I asked him how he would have represented a 3D world on a 2D screen. I suddenly changed his mind.

Parents raise their sons/daughters to believe that computer scientists and mathematicians are strange, undesirable people.
Some parents even have a direct disgust over "academical intellect".

Teenagers and their parents don't know that mathematicians and engineers, be it computer engineer or whatever, are the ones who enables them to listen to music via iPod. The ones who build this world.

I would like some input on this. Anyone who feels the same? Anyone who have gone trough the same as me?

Thanks for any input.

End rant

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0 likes 13 comments

Comments

NickGeorgia

It's because there a very few people who have the ability and drive to understand the difficult. Be persistant in what you love to do, I say. If others want to do other things, let them do it.

February 20, 2006 04:43 PM

Anlino

Normally, i would say don't worry about it. I usually do, whatever the text says. But this time, it is different, since i have been through the exact thing you are going through.

It is quite obvious that you doesn't like it - and that is understandable. Neither did i. Those who used to be my mates glared at me, and it felt like people did they're best to keep distance to me. That was going on for quite some time. Though i have thick skin, and kept through. After some time, people didn't talk about it anymore. Felt like they didn't care about it anymore. And after some time, friends got back.

What i am trying to say is:

Don't let it get to you. Try to put a distance to it, and yes, i know it is hard. But after some time, people don't think about it anymore.

Don't stop doing what you love because others say so. If you want to be a Game developer when you grow up, then you shouldn't matter what people are saying about it. It is your future, and you're dream, and none of their business.

I am hoping everything works out for you.

February 20, 2006 04:43 PM

wackatronic

I have to say it but in high school a long time ago, I was a member of the 'jock' community that treated people this way. After going back to college when I was 26, I decided to become a 'nerd', but at least in college your class is filled with like minded individuals.

Sorry about the friend thing, but when you've made your first game and then can actually get into a game company, just flip'em the bird!

Good luck and I know people on GameDev will at least be there in the cyber realm with you!

February 20, 2006 06:02 PM

Ravuya

High school is pretty anti-intellectual (as is most of society these days). Things generally get better in post-secondary but there's a huge amount of overcompensation (you'll find people who deliberately try to tear down each other to seem smarter).

I had a tough bit of going in high school too, but I just struggled past it and got my work done like everyone else and made sure to do the highest quality crap I could. It paid off; pretty much everyone I knew in high school who valued social success ended up retaking tons of courses out of pocket at adult education or failed into the trades (welding, mechanics). Some are dead.

I'd rather be proud of myself than spend lots of time on an arbitrary social distinction among people I didn't even like. It was rough at the time, but in retrospect it was the right choice.

Just hang in there, and keep doing what you want. Perhaps it was time to meet new people anyway.

February 20, 2006 06:29 PM

Samsonite

Thanks for all the heads-up!

February 20, 2006 06:41 PM

SHilbert

A lot of people don't understand the kind of work that goes into programming. They don't know anything about the process besides that it involves sitting at a computer a lot, so they just assume it's boring as hell or uncreative. Without knowing this, they've got no more ability to appreciate it than a rock has the ability to roll uphill of its own volition.

Every action a person takes has some kind of cause behind it, conscious or not. Namecalling (e.g. calling someone a nerd) is done because it lets a person feel better about themselves (albeit at another's expense), and also to solidify their bonds with their own social group, which again makes them feel better about themselves. In a way, it's sad because their self-esteem and identity are based upon using other people as dartboards.

Try not to become angry that you're being judged as something negative -- realize that your antagonists are grasping for some kind of rise out of it because they don't understand the territory and are grasping for little jolts of self-acceptance. You're not doing anything wrong; if anything, they are.

February 20, 2006 06:50 PM

AnonymousPosterChild

NERD

February 20, 2006 07:51 PM

Andrew Russell

To clarify what SHilbert said - their self-esteem is based on them comparing themselves to you, and deluding themselves that being intelligent is a bad thing.

So, don't base your own self-esteem on what other people call you. Then you're just deluding yourself that that the opinions of many stupid people matter.

Also: This might cheer you up.

February 20, 2006 08:07 PM

Quote:Original post by Samsonite
Parents raise their sons/daughters to believe that computer scientists and mathematicians are strange, undesirable people.
Some parents even have a direct disgust over "academical intellect".

For the most part, at least in my experience, computer scientists and mathematicians are strange. They all seem like their entire lives revolve around their disciplines. As for "academical (sic) intellect", well, you have to realize there's more to life than "book learnins". Focusing on just one thing, be it athletics or academics or music, can't be healthy. It's best to be well-rounded.

Quote:Original post by Samsonite
Teenagers and their parents don't know that mathematicians and engineers, be it computer engineer or whatever, are the ones who enables them to listen to music via iPod. The ones who build this world.

They may "build this world", but the things they build aren't what make it worth living in.

February 20, 2006 08:34 PM

Rob Loach

...... Welcome to public High School education.

February 20, 2006 10:34 PM

ukdm

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, got a job as a game designer and haven't looked back. It seems so minimal now but back then acceptance was everything.

It sucks but there is little you can do about it. Keep doing what you enjoy and just ignore the people who give you the most trouble. Eventually you will come out the other side and be better for it :-)

ukdm

February 26, 2006 01:53 PM

Will F

High school sucks.

The good news is that it will probably be better in university. The bad news is when you graduate and tell someone you make games for a living. Most people will respond by giving you a funny look, and then asking "Oh, so your job is to play games all day?" [wink]

February 26, 2006 05:54 PM

Samsonite

Thanks for all the cheers-up! [smile]

March 02, 2006 02:20 PM

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Samsonite

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"NERD"

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Samsonite

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"NERD"

Comments

Samsonite

Latest Entries

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