Originally posted by Kazan:
do not dilute yourself. Listen to a nerd speak, simply sit and listen to a nerd speak with an average person. Listen to the simple difference in english [or any other language]. The nerd uses complexities of the language, archaic definitions and allusions to many things to express themselves more precisely. The average person simply uses the language, not truely as thoroughly as the nerd - getting their message across but without conveying as much feeling in their message.
Now get the nerd in a conversation with an average person (had to catch myself...i typed mundane, I'm attempting to be politically correct, for once) over something they're both interested in, the nerd will know fine details and alienate the average person unintentionally.
now get the nerd showing interest in things the average person cannot fathom the interesting parts of.
Or even worse - place the nerd in school
I'm sick and tired of far too many small words from small minds trying to attack that which they do not understand. I'm sick and tired of average people thinking intelligence is a blessing and damning the nerdiness at the same time - they're a package deal.
Most of all I'm sick of the burden of intelligence... I want to be a normal person
By "nerd" I assume you mean a computer-proficient person. Keep in mind that you can apply the same scenario to
any field of work/hobby/interest - take lawyers or doctors, for example. With lawyers: how much of those ubiquitous (look it up!
) "License Agreements" do you actually waste time in making the effort to comprehend? Or with doctors: good luck in trying to read through a professional medical paper about some new medical procedure - hah!
Remember that many of the forum-goers are just kids that like FS2 or whatever. They may not have any conception of "computers" as a whole realm of expertise, but simply as a tool/game machine/internet thing that they grew up with and use naturally. That's all. For that matter, how many "average" word processing, emailing adults would understand if you started talking with them about, say... organizing the shortcuts in the Start Menu?
My own parents often drive me crazy with computer question that I see as "simple" and "obvious". So I have to downshift my brain into "baby-steps" mode in order to explain something to them. That doesn't mean that I'm smarter then they are (in a general sense). All it means is that in the realm of computing, I have more/better knowledge than they do. Period.
Ok, I've lost my sense of direction with this post, so I'll just be
wise and shut up now.
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"He who laughs last thinks slowest."
"Just becase you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you."
"To err is human; to really screw up you need a computer."
Creator of the
Sandvich Bar, the CapShip Turret Upgrade, the Complete FS2 Ship List and the System Backgrounds List (all available from the site)
