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I feel like I'm the only person I know who plays games competitively/hardcore and is semi decent but don't really play any other games or have a care for any games at all.
Like for example, I've played BW and SC2 for years and I got like C+ / Master levels (and even in BW I never really liked to ladder, I liked to play bloodbath with other BB gosus) and maybe a little WC3/TFT as well. But I never got into dota or any mobas or mmos, never liked counterstrike or any fps games (except quakes and duke nukem lan with friends long ago), or even any other RTS. Whenever I hear about new games coming out or whatever I don't really care, I can pretty much get any game for free if I want via internet but I don't. I don't own any consoles, and most of the games suck anyways so I just don't care enough to buy a console for 1 game (like Street fighter 3 third strike for xbox360 which I play on computer a lot as well).
Basically what I'm saying is there are only certain games that I like and I play the shit out of them and continue to play them ignoring all other games (even though I pay attention to new releases). All my friends IRL who play games at all are either casual gamers who don't play much but play a lot of variety of games and are obviously not very good at them.
I mean every once in a while there is a game that piques interest and I'll play the single player (but it's usually a let down because its easy/lame or short with no replay-ability or just single player) such as Bioshock or New smb wii. Most of the time It's just puzzle,creative games that aren't real serious to begin with (and I consider them mini-games because they are basically like HQ UMS maps to me): Like nimbus, portal, shatter, angry birds, or plants vs zombies. And ofc I'll rarely replay classics from 80s and 90s consoles on emulators.
I've actually got a folder full of games that I've DL'ed and yet to install or play because I just don't really see them as being interesting enough. It's mainly just been SC2 and SF:3S for a few years now. I actually never really liked to watch esports either (because I'd rather just play the game, same with regular sports). I mainly just watch finals, or recommended matches, only lately have I been watching a lot of games but I still only watch ZvX games for the most part.
I guess this blog is trying to say the same thing I say about anything I claim to like or be, music, movies, games etc. Most of it just sucks to me, but I find my little non mainstream niche content and sit there with it and no one to relate with except for people online who aren't friends or are totally different from me. Everyone is proud to be a nerd here, like gays are proud to march in parades. Its totally fine to me, but I feel like I'm the bigot holding the sign that says 'lol fags' sometimes and I don't want to hang out with the crowd.
I'm sure this blog may come off as pretentious, hypocritical, or whatever you want to call it, but I'm just trying to see if there is anyone else who has this kind of feeling towards games, gamers, esports, etc.
Do you consider yourself a gamer? a nerd? why?
 
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Im a lot in your situaion, lol @ other games are like UMS map, this is so true, and those UMS map were judged for noob (old SCBW era)
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you are most certainly the only person in the world who is like this. /irony
now, go check out braid and darwinia. Play the 500 levels of "the way of the ninja". Go for some World of Goo if you haven't, check some dwarf fortress, maybe minecraft/terraria. 
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I totally agree. I feel that i've been so spoiled by SC ever since i first bought it. I think I've played a total of 6 games excluding Starcraft and SC2 in the last 7 years  They all just pale in comparision. Each time my friends try to get me into the current "hot" game I look at it and think to myself "Why should I play this when I could be laddering/watching streams?"
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I`ve never considered myself a gamer. I`m a bw player.
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Nope. I was a Nintendo gamer back in the day. I knew all the NES and SNES games and never had trouble, but really, until SC2 came out, the last game I played a ton was SC1/BW. After that, all games seems to just be weak.
I still play through old NES/SNES games though. Love them! Also, I was big into old arcade games and pinball machines. I still have to pop in a quarter when I find an Pac-Man machine. =)
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I don't get it. You don't live by social labels?
Nothing new and rest assured, you'll see everyone is exactly like you.
If you're satisfied with what you got and don't care for labels or categorizing yourself for a sentimental reassurance that ensures you are amongst a group of people who have similar characteristics, then keep on truckin'!
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On November 04 2011 16:51 MisterD wrote:you are most certainly the only person in the world who is like this. /irony now, go check out braid and darwinia. Play the 500 levels of "the way of the ninja". Go for some World of Goo if you haven't, check some dwarf fortress, maybe minecraft/terraria.
I wasn't trying to say I was the only person in the world. I was trying to see if many people would agree/disagree with my sentiments. And to see replies about the last line in the OP.
Braid, looks like it MIGHT be ok, but the others look stupid to me. I actually already have world of goo in my games folder but not installed. Thanks for the suggestions though.
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Do you consider yourself a gamer? a nerd? why?
Your answers are going to range from people dejecting from the label in order to appear commonly unique as the associative quality/traits or characteristics attached to the words from their influencing perception of the social groups.
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On November 04 2011 17:00 Torte de Lini wrote:
I don't get it. You don't live by social labels?
Nothing new and rest assured, you'll see everyone is exactly like you.
If you're satisfied with what you got and don't care for labels or categorizing yourself for a sentimental reassurance that ensures you are amongst a group of people who have similar characteristics, then keep on truckin'!
I agree and I am satisfied except the lack of meaningful relationships with anyone around said labels.
But the thing that I don't understand is the casters, commentators, players, and even posters on this site who are self proclaimed nerds and gamers. Why do they label themselves? And why do they think they are that label?
Especially since there is such an obvious stigma and self deprecation to the labels of gamers and nerds.
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But the thing that I don't understand is the casters, commentators, players, and even posters on this site who are self proclaimed nerds and gamers. Why do they label themselves? And why do they think they are that label?
Individually, we can find ways to disassociate ourselves with overlapping spheres of various social groups.
A caster is a representative, popularized by the community, casting a theme (comedic/games/excitement) and projecting his personality, views and ideas to a target audience.
The target audience is gamers, since the word has so many connotations and variations or levels of definitions (Casual gamers, hardcore gamers, competitive gamers), to address everyone as a gamer is easier and since you are watching, it's assumed, on one level or viewpoint to another, you are a gamer.
Saying: "I enjoy games and watch games being played" doesn't really change much. If I were to say I enjoy smoking and someone labeled me as a smoker, how am I to disagree? No, I only enjoy smoking, I don't behold the same traits as a smoker (whichever that may be).
To be more convoluted, it's just easier to address everyone as a social label, regardless how much it pertains to you personally or not. It's not like it's an insult.
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This sort of made me chuckle because this is how I read the blog: 'Im not into sports because I only play this one sport every weekend but I dont play any other sports or watch any other sports even though I play this one sport every weekend Im not into sports'
As per usual it all comes down to how one defines their terms I suppose. If you define a gamer or nerd as someone that must play multiple titles and/or watch lots of esports then I suppose no, your not a gamer/nerd by that definition. It isn't how I define a gamer though but hey thats just me. I define a gamer as someone who spends the majority of their relaxation time playing a game rather than some other form of entertainment.
As far as how one defines a nerd well that gets complicated. When I was growing up (and perhaps where is part of it too) a nerd was someone that basically lived for science or math related subjects and was socially inept outside of a classroom or lab. The definition has obviously changed so I cant really say what a nerd is now, it is used in such an ubiquitous manner that I personally think it has actually lost most of any meaning it had.
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On November 04 2011 17:11 Synwave wrote:
This sort of made me chuckle because this is how I read the blog: 'Im not into sports because I only play this one sport every weekend but I dont play any other sports or watch any other sports even though I play this one sport every weekend Im not into sports'
As per usual it all comes down to how one defines their terms I suppose. If you define a gamer or nerd as someone that must play multiple titles and/or watch lots of esports then I suppose no, your not a gamer/nerd by that definition. It isn't how I define a gamer though but hey thats just me. I define a gamer as someone who spends the majority of their relaxation time playing a game rather than some other form of entertainment.
As far as how one defines a nerd well that gets complicated. When I was growing up (and perhaps where is part of it too) a nerd was someone that basically lived for science or math related subjects and was socially inept outside of a classroom or lab. The definition has obviously changed so I cant really say what a nerd is now, it is used in such an ubiquitous manner that I personally think it has actually lost most of any meaning it had.
Actually a nerd has a very specific designated definition stemming from social labeling during the 80s (?).
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Torte, I'm more referring to casters claiming nerd and calling everyone nerds. its an insult to me, and anyone who I would show the vods to would be even more offended. A nerd around here, is kinda like what synwave said. Only worse, a nerd isn't just some socially inept bookworm. It also hold strong connotation to being a weak pussy, a disgraceful cowardly person, who is just overall lame.
For example. If my friend were to call someone a nerd, or me a nerd in an argument. Thats basically just as bad as calling someone a fag, a bitch, etc.
this definition here I guess makes sense if you use the word 100% to its definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd but its more of a slang word imho, and one shouldn't be using it like this.
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On November 04 2011 17:04 SpoR wrote:Show nested quote +On November 04 2011 17:00 Torte de Lini wrote:
I don't get it. You don't live by social labels?
Nothing new and rest assured, you'll see everyone is exactly like you.
If you're satisfied with what you got and don't care for labels or categorizing yourself for a sentimental reassurance that ensures you are amongst a group of people who have similar characteristics, then keep on truckin'! I agree and I am satisfied except the lack of meaningful relationships with anyone around said labels. But the thing that I don't understand is the casters, commentators, players, and even posters on this site who are self proclaimed nerds and gamers. Why do they label themselves? And why do they think they are that label? Especially since there is such an obvious stigma and self deprecation to the labels of gamers and nerds.
its word reappropriation, similar to what the blacks have done with nigger and the gays queer. the point is to take away the power those words have as a stigma.
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You can't take away the power of the word though. People are always going to use it for its negative use. Thats why you can't walk into compton and yell 'WHATS UP NIGGERS!' and in that same neighborhood you also couldn't yell out 'WHATS UP NERDS!' because its just as disrespectful.
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On November 04 2011 17:18 SpoR wrote:Torte, I'm more referring to casters claiming nerd and calling everyone nerds. its an insult to me, and anyone who I would show the vods to would be even more offended. A nerd around here, is kinda like what synwave said. Only worse, a nerd isn't just some socially inept bookworm. It also hold strong connotation to being a weak pussy, a disgraceful cowardly person, who is just overall lame. For example. If my friend were to call someone a nerd, or me a nerd in an argument. Thats basically just as bad as calling someone a fag, a bitch, etc. this definition here I guess makes sense if you use the word 100% to its definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd but its more of a slang word imho, and one shouldn't be using it like this.
that is a very unique definition to your particular situation then - in every situation i've ever been in, "nerd" is, to be sure, a somewhat negative term, but not to the degree of a particularly savage insult, and it can be equally used as an affectionate term as well - my wife calls me a nerd all the time but in a very nice way, if you can sort of understand that.
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On November 04 2011 17:18 SpoR wrote:
Torte, I'm more referring to casters claiming nerd and calling everyone nerds. its an insult to me, and anyone who I would show the vods to would be even more offended. A nerd around here, is kinda like what synwave said. Only worse, a nerd isn't just some socially inept bookworm. It also hold strong connotation to being a weak pussy, a disgraceful cowardly person, who is just overall lame.
Then they're not talking to you. (P.s: A geek has more reflection to your misinterpreted definition than a "nerd").
The terminology of "nerd" from the 1980s (?) no longer pertains to the synonymous word or fluidity of it. Why? Well 1. Being intelligent has its rewards more than previously, college is on the rise and people striving to become competitively intelligent and thus fit for the market is no longer deterring to one's character (a.k.a no one frowns upon it).
2. With the influence of mass media, nerds are no longer socially or sexually inept, but purely awkwardly cute and sometimes neurotic that attracts women because of their naivety, inexperience and often misview thought that they would gratefully treat the girl suitably for how she wants to be treated: a stereotypical princess or an attractive female a "nerd" would be grateful for. (Think of that Cohen fellow in the O.C)
3. The reinvention of technology being friendly to people of all ages, genders and existences no longer makes technology (on a social level) rejecting. In other words, thanks to Facebook, Apple, Twitter and other conveneinces, a lot of people use the computers now and it is no longer associated with socially awkward people who run to their computers because of their inability to be socially accepted.
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Torte, that's another point about nerd usage. People (especially girls) are always saying they like nerds, are nerds etc. But they really actually don't/aren't.
This whole idea that nerds are cute and cool is a mockery imho. Which is why people dress up like nerds on halloween.
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On November 04 2011 17:27 SpoR wrote:
Torte, that's another point about nerd usage. People (especially girls) are always saying they like nerds, are nerds etc. But they really actually don't/aren't.
This whole idea that nerds are cute and cool is a mockery imho. Which is why people dress up like nerds on halloween.
People dress up like nerds on halloween because like all social labels, there are stereotypes. I can dress up as a stereotyped pothead, but that doesn't reflect all potheads or people who smoke marijuana.
That doesn't mean its true, that's just you accepting things at face-value, which is a common misconception.
Girls are saying they like traits they associate with nerds. Look at that, another fluid form of interpreting or defining what a nerd is. They like "nerds" because those kinds of people possess characteristics that allow women to show them new things they wouldn't typically experience or go for (Clubbing for example, socializing, drinking). It allows women to teach the guy new things and see them in a new environment.
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Hm, yeah as soon as I picked up BW my interest for most other games kind of drained. I did play a lot of PS2 when that came out, and recently i've started playing a bit more Xbox and such, but Starcraft really does make most other games seem boring in comparison.
edit: on the topic of nerd though, I don't see why or where that would be a legitimate insult. Here it's a playful, joking word basically only used in the context of "Oh, you're such a nerd!". It's not really used very seriously, and I think it's the same with casters calling their viewers collectively "nerds".
Really though, playing SC2 and being on TL is pretty nerdy
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lol people get offended if they are called a nerd? Thought that was over with over where I live nobody gives a shit and lots of nerds here who play video games or whatever (I classify myself as a "nerd" but I think so of everyone who plays sc/sc2 and watches proleague or pro players in general also)
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While I'm typing a mile-long paper, let's get into what a "nerd" can or is:
A nerd, by my understanding is someone who is passionate and dedicated to their field of interest/hobby. Originally a nerd stems from technological "geeks", a social classing to those who were engaged in everything technological: science-fiction, early computer and video-games, etc.Generally these labels begin and fulfill their duties of dismissing people in high-school.
Nerds are neither "fanatics", movie "buffs" or geeks, they are socially awkward, but moderately more intelligent (often in the field of science). With today's major changes in technology, nerd has been more loose with its use and targets. Hence the verbatim of it such as: "I'm nerding out over this book" which usually elicits excitement or deep investment of emotions or interest on a specific object, film, piece of music, etc. People still refer to themselves as nerds, but now there is an assumption or expectancy to categorizing your "nerd" aspect, are you video-game nerd, sci-fi, nerd, etc. etc. This is because the originally loaded negative definition of "nerd" has lost its practicality given that technology is introduced to children at a young age and social networks become an integral part of their life. Socially awkward kids are now refined or verbal over the internet since they are no talking face-to-face to the person (and thus be insecure about their physical appearance) and they can be as open or closed as they want about their interests.
In addition, communication or forming communities over the internet boosts confidence in socially awkward people because they now have an area they can go to to either escape from the social real world or to leisurely spend time there when not at school but boost their conversation skills and adaptation with peers (especially those with similar or specific tastes that the person can identify with).
Thus a "nerd" no longer contains the viewpoints that people might be misassociating with. Because a "nerd" has so many ways of dictating one's deep interest in something, the label to help dismiss someone is seldom use in today's youth subculture. In reality, when iconic people address the audience as nerds, it's just to sum up the atmosphere and overall enjoyment of the games and players. If you take your interest to a new level of it occupying a large amount of your time (see: nerding or being deeply interested or passionate), then they are probably talking to you.
If you think you're not a nerd, then disregard what they're saying, they're not addressing it to you.
Thus your question: So? Are you a nerd? would have an answer such as: Who gives a shit? because in reality, it means jack-all and pertains to practically fucking everything.
I really hope this word diarrhea stomps out a lot of crap.
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See you are saying nerds are just fanatics or enthusiastic. That's not really what a nerd is because you could apply the same usage to someone who is passionate about playing and talking sports a sports nerd. But that doesn't really make sense because nerds are weak, and sports players are generally strong.
And don't tell me it's because its because its not related to technology because you can have a chess nerd, a food nerd, an animal nerd etc and they sound kind of silly right?
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Perfect example i forgot about from earlier today:
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/GC51T.png)
she called me a 'nerd ass', then retracted the diss when I told her it wasn't her fault.
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On November 04 2011 18:00 SpoR wrote:
See you are saying nerds are just fanatics or enthusiastic. That's not really what a nerd is because you could apply the same usage to someone who is passionate about playing and talking sports a sports nerd. But that doesn't really make sense because nerds are weak, and sports players are generally strong.
And don't tell me it's because its because its not related to technology because you can have a chess nerd, a food nerd, an animal nerd etc and they sound kind of silly right?
Yes, enthusiasts in specific divisions. Bookworms are for those who enjoy books and aren't "jocks" short for "sport jocks" for people who like sports?
. But that doesn't really make sense because nerds are weak, and sports players are generally strong.
Sports players are more athletic, presumably stronger, yes. Nerds are weak, they're just weaker in comparison.
At the beginning of my definition, I made an association between technology and nerds, I already told you what you said not to tell you.
In addition, "nerding" out and being a "nerd" is completely different.
Then again, these are pointless social labels, to define it would be to give it proper credibility and validity (so my bad) when in reality, they're just dumb stupid references to someone's interest in a specific field listed in my original definition.
This all doesn't explain why you'd be offended whatsoever. The whole affair seems silly and trivial.
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On November 04 2011 18:04 SpoR wrote:Perfect example i forgot about from earlier today: she called me a 'nerd ass', then retracted the diss when I told her it wasn't her fault.
Too bad a "nerd ass" makes no fucking sense.
I don't want to demean your friend, but your example is from someone who just adds a description to the word "ass" to teasingly insult someone. Don't even know what that could mean or how that could be perceived as "nerd" having negative connotations beyond those who are already close-minded and misinformed (which are totally acceptable nowadays anyways, since it hardly matters).
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it makes sense, the techno babble i was saying was seemingly nerdy and the way I said it seems like a jackass/asshole. so nerd, ass
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The way I read Torte's definition (might be through the rose-tinted-glasses of my own definition) isn't that nerds are just fanatics or enthusiasts. Nerds are enthusiastic, but with a lot of knowledge on the topic of the particular thing they like. Someone who like soccer is a soccer fan (and really that can be to any degree these days), but someone who can tell you the entire team line-up for the 1962 friendly between Man Utd and Liverpool is something more than a fan, they have clearly researched and learned their interest, I would happily call them a soccer nerd.
I dunno, nerds being weak seems like a kind of outdated concept at this stage to me, maybe just from experiencing nerds, but I'd contest the statement "sports players are generally strong". Maybe that's true of popular sports in the US, but there are plenty of counter-examples, soccer players are good at running, not strong, for example. For a more obvious example darts is a popular sport in the UK, and the players are usually quite heavy guys.
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Whole lot of "seems" for someone trying to make their viewpoint across as a concurred view of the defined term "nerd".
I'm sure "embed" is difficult amongst equally technologically-introduced youths who use the same sites as you for entertainment.
It's more a cop-out than a proper example: instead of saying; "It won't embed", she dismissed blame and deflected with an insult.
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On November 04 2011 18:11 UltimateHurl wrote:
The way I read Torte's definition (might be through the rose-tinted-glasses of my own definition) isn't that nerds are just fanatics or enthusiasts. Nerds are enthusiastic, but with a lot of knowledge on the topic of the particular thing they like. Someone who like soccer is a soccer fan (and really that can be to any degree these days), but someone who can tell you the entire team line-up for the 1962 friendly between Man Utd and Liverpool is something more than a fan, they have clearly researched and learned their interest, I would happily call them a soccer nerd.
I dunno, nerds being weak seems like a kind of outdated concept at this stage to me, maybe just from experiencing nerds, but I'd contest the statement "sports players are generally strong". Maybe that's true of popular sports in the US, but there are plenty of counter-examples, soccer players are good at running, not strong, for example. For a more obvious example darts is a popular sport in the UK, and the players are usually quite heavy guys.
I support this equally plausible and long-winded definition that helps distinguish characteristics of a "nerd".
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ok tell me that this guy would not be offended, and that you would be perfectly ok walking up to this guy (if you knew in fact he was rasta, lifted weights, and surfed) and called him a rasta nerd, surfer nerd, or workout nerd.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Q8DZX.jpg)
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On November 04 2011 18:19 SpoR wrote:
ok tell me that this guy would not be offended, and that you would be perfectly ok walking up to this guy (if you knew in fact he was rasta, and lifted weights) and called him a rasta nerd or workout nerd.
IMG]rasta/workout nerd guy that is suppose to be initmidating, but looks silly and fun and enjoyable to hang around with given his silly pose and accompanying friend in an equally silly outfit[IMG
I would be ok telling him he was something if he truly was and we both had a concurred and objective understanding of what a "nerd" was.
Review my definition and UltimateHurl's please, in addition, your conveyance of your point is flawed because you're assuming that images or pictures of this particular person would be intimidating, but from what we can deduce, he appears to be a rather sound and outgoing person with social aspects that would allow me to properly assess his reactions and responses in order to better formulate what I would want to say without fully and unintentionally insulting him trying to point out a fact that would prove you wrong or show you how flawed your viewpoint is or rather how flawed your attempt to portray this person as someone I wouldn't say things you challenge me to say publicly.
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Okay, too much pseudo-intellect talk for me, gotta wind down and sleep.
Final words: if you like games, you like games.
If you don't like being called something or you think that that name or word isn't you, then ignore it.
ezpz
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sounds like you're a gamer.
I haven't played games for god knows. don't even have bw installed anymore. But I still watch msl/osl/pl!
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Korea (South)17174 Posts
Don't give fuck if I fall into the category of gamer or nerd or whatever. It's meaningless anyways. Just chillin.
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On November 04 2011 18:33 Rekrul wrote:
Don't give fuck if I fall into the category of gamer or nerd or whatever. It's meaningless anyways. Just chillin.
Essentially this under 100 words, glad someone could do it.
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I never really thought about it, but I pretty much agree with your sentiments... The older I get the less interested in every game I become but my love for SCBW/SC2 keeps steady it seems... I have no problems with any usage of the term nerd in just about any context ^^
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My friends have essentially given up on asking me out for anything. Everytime they've tried, I just tell them "Nah I wanna play some games, I'm a nerd remember?"
Doesn't stop them from being my friends. People like you for who you are. And if you can't even like yourself, then I don't know what to tell you.
The negative connotations attached to the word "nerd" (such as social awkwardness) are just attached. If you call yourself a nerd, and you aren't socially awkward, then no one will think you are anyway. Just be confident with yourself.
In essence : What Torte said.
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On November 04 2011 18:04 SpoR wrote:Perfect example i forgot about from earlier today: she called me a 'nerd ass', then retracted the diss when I told her it wasn't her fault.
well you were being a bit of a condescending dick.
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Holy shit I read the rest of the thread before posting and it turned into a lamebook. Lame.
Uh tbh I know this is going to sound like a cop out but I don't really think that hard about how I identify myself. I do stuff. Some of it's nerdy. Some of it's not. I play a lot of video games and so I guess I'm a gamer. I read a lot of books and love to learn so I guess I'm a nerd. I don't know and don't really care.
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On November 04 2011 18:33 Rekrul wrote:
Don't give fuck if I fall into the category of gamer or nerd or whatever. It's meaningless anyways. Just chillin.
I'm happily in this category too Would agree with Probe1, it's not who you are at all, but if I have a skillset that's particularly in-depth I'd happily say I was an X-nerd.
RE: The rasta-surfer-workout 'nerd'... I couldn't tell from a picture, it's not a superficial thing. If that guy knew a lot about Rastafarian beliefs, or wave formation and how it affects surfers, or macro-nutrient timings for optimal muscle-building then sure, he is a nerd of each type.
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On November 04 2011 19:26 Probe1 wrote:
Holy shit I read the rest of the thread before posting and it turned into a lamebook. Lame.
Uh tbh I know this is going to sound like a cop out but I don't really think that hard about how I identify myself. I do stuff. Some of it's nerdy. Some of it's not. I play a lot of video games and so I guess I'm a gamer. I read a lot of books and love to learn so I guess I'm a nerd. I don't know and don't really care.
Nerd spammer.
I am a nerd who likes to drink and play sports. Whatever that term may be. nerd nerd nerd. Whatevs
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I spend about 80% of my waking hours (on an average day) in front of a computer doing animation, either at college or at home, and on the weekends I either play games or watch series/starcraft.
I don't really go out much any more either.
I like to draw, read, and exercise, but I'd not say I'm a book worm, a health nut or an art enthusiast. SO I don't think I am going to label myself as a nerd, or even a gamer even though I play games and I like learning new things, particularly literature and criminology.
But maybe that is because I don't like being stereotyped and labelled. Maybe, from across the road you'll see a guy in a comic strip store and say 'oh, he is a geek' but if you got to know him you'd not think of him that way anymore - just a guy who has an interest in comics among other things. But the truth is people will never stop judging by appearance or by first impressions until you become friends, and, lets face it, you can't be friends with everyone. I know when I still had piercings in my face I had people stare at me and whisper things like 'Oh, she is one of those 'emo's', which annoyed the hell out of me, because if they'd met me they'd very clearly know I am not an 'emo', but a happy, fun loving person with a wide range of interests and a few piercings.
God, stereotypes. I just wrote a thesis on stereotyping. I could rant on forever. Luckily for everyone here, I have a lot of work to do so I am going to stop now.
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To the OP,
Yeah sorry but I consider you a gamer.  From your post it sounds like you've played a bunch of different games in different genres (RTS, Fighting, RPG). Just because you focus on one game at a time does not get you off the hook!
Much like you, I stick to one game for an extended period of time. I tend to game in cycles. I play an MMO hardcore for a year, then break for a year, then play RTS for a year, then break for a year. But I consider myself a gamer even when I'm not actively gaming. To me being a gamer is more about the way you think and interact with people. Its not about how much/how many games you play.
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My definitions:
Gamer: Someone who enjoys performing in non-athletic competitions
Nerd: Someone who spends most of their free time doing a single, non-athletic activity
Geek: Someone who is very knowledgable about a single technical or intellectual subject matter
Of course one person can be all 3 at once.
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On November 04 2011 17:27 SpoR wrote:
Torte, that's another point about nerd usage. People (especially girls) are always saying they like nerds, are nerds etc. But they really actually don't/aren't.
This whole idea that nerds are cute and cool is a mockery imho. Which is why people dress up like nerds on halloween.
If I cannot discuss video games with a man, I cannot date him. This is, in part, because video game and Internet culture references fall out of my mouth constantly.
Personally, I feel like saying "I like nerds" is a fairly appropriate stereotyping of the guys I date because I prefer to date intelligent, technology-loving, game-playing men. Though I'll often say I am a nerd, it does almost seem odd to say. However, I believe I've reached a point where my interests define me so much that there should be a word for it. I pretty much live, sleep, eat and breathe the Internet and games. There is no place I feel more relaxed than on my bed, laptop on my lap and headset keeping my ears warm. All of my friends play video games with me and, in fact, many of them work for video game companies. Soon, I'll be applying to one, too. So... sure, I actually dislike the term "gamer," especially because of how poorly it is associated with my gender, but it's a hell of a lot easier to say than the full explanation of my interests!
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On November 08 2011 19:40 Riku wrote:Show nested quote +On November 04 2011 17:27 SpoR wrote:
Torte, that's another point about nerd usage. People (especially girls) are always saying they like nerds, are nerds etc. But they really actually don't/aren't.
This whole idea that nerds are cute and cool is a mockery imho. Which is why people dress up like nerds on halloween. If I cannot discuss video games with a man, I cannot date him. This is, in part, because video game and Internet culture references fall out of my mouth constantly. Personally, I feel like saying "I like nerds" is a fairly appropriate stereotyping of the guys I date because I prefer to date intelligent, technology-loving, game-playing men. Though I'll often say I am a nerd, it does almost seem odd to say. However, I believe I've reached a point where my interests define me so much that there should be a word for it. I pretty much live, sleep, eat and breathe the Internet and games. There is no place I feel more relaxed than on my bed, laptop on my lap and headset keeping my ears warm. All of my friends play video games with me and, in fact, many of them work for video game companies. Soon, I'll be applying to one, too. So... sure, I actually dislike the term "gamer," especially because of how poorly it is associated with my gender, but it's a hell of a lot easier to say than the full explanation of my interests!
Where can I meet your friends?
Also, are they as cute as you?
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On November 08 2011 20:55 SpoR wrote:Show nested quote +On November 08 2011 19:40 Riku wrote:On November 04 2011 17:27 SpoR wrote:
Torte, that's another point about nerd usage. People (especially girls) are always saying they like nerds, are nerds etc. But they really actually don't/aren't.
This whole idea that nerds are cute and cool is a mockery imho. Which is why people dress up like nerds on halloween. If I cannot discuss video games with a man, I cannot date him. This is, in part, because video game and Internet culture references fall out of my mouth constantly. Personally, I feel like saying "I like nerds" is a fairly appropriate stereotyping of the guys I date because I prefer to date intelligent, technology-loving, game-playing men. Though I'll often say I am a nerd, it does almost seem odd to say. However, I believe I've reached a point where my interests define me so much that there should be a word for it. I pretty much live, sleep, eat and breathe the Internet and games. There is no place I feel more relaxed than on my bed, laptop on my lap and headset keeping my ears warm. All of my friends play video games with me and, in fact, many of them work for video game companies. Soon, I'll be applying to one, too. So... sure, I actually dislike the term "gamer," especially because of how poorly it is associated with my gender, but it's a hell of a lot easier to say than the full explanation of my interests! Where can I meet your friends? Also, are they as cute as you?
You know, I was about to say "all of my friends are guys," and then I remembered I've recently been making new female friends. They all work at Riot, though, so you can find them in Santa Monica!
:D
Oh, yes, and I think they are cute, mostly Asian, though.
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Note: Quote button is not edit button.
Fail.
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I don't really call myself "gamer" or "nerd" as if those are the defining characteristics of my personality. It's just a useless label, easier to just say "yeah I mostly play sc, not too much else"
I don't think either is necessarily offensive, though. Everything depends on context. N----- is a lot more offensive in almost all cases, but even it is not offensive if used by a black guy in some contexts.
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Why was this turned into a nerd vs gamer debate by some posters? There are plenty of runners that are not athletes. There are plenty of jocks that play console games. They are not nerds, they're jocks. Are they gamers?
OMG OP! Are you me? I have the exact same existential identity crisis. If I'm a gamer, why do I not enjoy a wide variety of games? I played mostly RTS(aoe2, bw, sc2,wc2,wc3) and some FPS(cs,quake) and TBS(civ2,h3) + oddballs such as fifa 2000(no other fifa after 2000 since they changed the controls), worms, atomic bomberman, start wars racers, minesweeper. So unlike you, I do consider myself a gamer, but I can't stand A WIDE VARIETY OF GAMES:
Most single player games,
RPG,
dota-type games,
and ANYTHING on consoles. God, I hate consoles with a passion! It's so sad that the majority of gamers in the US are console gamers. They say it's social, but the gaming experience is not enough to justify the social buzz I get from a console.
I only play sc 2 now. I have a top notch PC and I only play sc 2(occasional aoe2/bw with people whose computers can't handle sc2) because I dont want to learn a new game. It's so boring to learn a new game!!! Why??? I'm supposed to be this "gamer."
I tried dota, LoL, diablo2(what the hell is the point in playing the same thing over and over again? I finished the game once, I enjoyed it, but I can't play it again - it's like doing the single player campaign again), gta3/4(gta2 was awesome multiplayer), WOW, and anything on a console, but nothing compares to strategy! Real time strategy!
I don't have time to learn all these new games like crysis, battlefield, morrowind, skyrim, etc. Hell, they look awesome, I can afford buying them, and my pc can handle them, but without multiplayer, without friends to play them, plus now I work full time and my gf thinks I should "grow out" of games(especially starcraft), i won't play them unless I find that special appeal. Maybe I grew up with RTS and Ifind it hard to switch genres(although I cant play c&c to save my life), but I have a friend who buys HUNDREDS of pc and console games, and none of his games were good enough.
There was a thread a week ago that said we like sc:bw because we grew up with it. I agree. I grew up with the aforementioned games. They define who I am. Other games don't. I am a gamer. OP, you are too.
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On November 09 2011 03:44 Riku wrote:
Note: Quote button is not edit button.
Fail.
haha i do that all the time ;P
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awww, no reply to my post?
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EPT
