Real Nerd vs. Nerd Chic TheGloss

Over at CNN, there’s a lengthy article about Liz Lee, the self-proclaimed nerd and star of her own reality show on MTV, “My Life as Liz.”

I’d stop there and just say that having your own reality show in MTV immediately makes you not a nerd, but I’m going to take it a few steps further. Indeed, I think all we need to is take a look at the lovely Ms. Lee, pictured at left.

See that? She has clear skin, a pretty, made-up smile, a quirky confidence that belies her 18 years, great hair, and hip, indie style. I ask you, ladies and…well, probably mostly ladies — is this a nerd?

And the answer is no.

Listen — I have nothing against people who were popular in high school. I myself was neither here nor there when it came to popularity. But I’ve known (and even been related to) my fair share of nerds, and let me tell you, it doesn’t become cool to be a nerd until you’re around 25 — if, indeed, it ever does. That’s because 25 is about when you’re somewhat certain that you will be able to overcome your high school trauma, make a good living and find a nerd-partner (or, as I’ve seen happen more times than I like to recount, you turn into a TOTAL FUCKING WOMAN-HATING DOUCHEBAG to make up for all the chicks who turned you down as a teen).

Instead, Liz Lee represents an excellent example of the difference between Real Nerd, and Nerd Chic. Being a nerd in high school — like a real, picked on, made fun of nerd — is horrible. Wearing nerd chic is fun, makes you feel special and nonconformist, and increases the likelihood that boys who read McSweeney’s will want to date you (I generally consider that a negative, but whatever).

Liz Lee is, in case you couldn’t tell, the latter. It’s too bad, because she’s basically taking a massive shit on shows like “Freaks and Geeks,” which portrayed something similar to real nerdhood. But I suppose that’s MTV — and you know what? I’ll take Snooki over Liz any day.

Quin

As a nerd I have to say being on MTV is definitely a not-nerdy thing to do.
But I’ll also say that nerds can be fashionable and cute. I like girly things and will sometimes get as obsessed over them as I will over Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
But it’s rare to find a nerd who’s as gorgeous and popular as her, so I’d say that yes, she’s just nerd chic. Nerd on the outside, squishy on the inside! (Yeah, I don’t know where that came from)

And my long rambling probably just proved how odd I really am.
BriannaW

Sorry, this reminded me of a great quote from a nerd that I really respect:
“No one can tell you if you’re a Nerd and you can’t tell anyone else if they’re a Nerd. ‘Nerd’ is an identity you choose, and then we collectively define that identity, not by talking about what it means, but by living it. And in my opinion that goes for almost all identities, from the ones we choose, like ‘musician’ or ‘writer’, to the ones that seem unchosen, like ‘brother’. Identities are important, but both the ones you choose and the ones that choose you generally resist simple definitions.”
- BriannaW
  
  Gahhh I guess I should have said whose quote that was… It was said by John Green.
- Quin
  
  Ah, John Green…. DFTBA.
- Grace
  
  I love that you quoted him. :) DFTBA.
Jolene

I love My Life as Liz, but I agree that she isn’t really a ‘nerd’. I also get the distinct impression that her ‘outsider’ status was derived for the show. She isn’t any weirder or geekier than half the kids I went to highschool with. The fact that she wears band shirts, dyes her hair red and likes Star Wars doesn’t set her apart from most teens.
Ashley Cardiff

A+ to this post.
Renae

Sounds more like a hipster to me.
Candise

You really get off bashing and stereotyping… As BriannaW delightfully quoted, “Nerd is an identity you choose”. If she would like to be a nerd. Then she is a nerd. ‘Nough said.
marissa

The basis of the show is not that Liz is a nerd that’s picked on or even that she’s outrageously different from other people…it’s that she’s able to capture feeling like an outsider, which is something pretty much everyone in high school feels. Also, I have no problems with someone intentionally embracing things that are considered “nerdy” over choosing to be a drunken idiot with a main goal in life of turning the perfect shade of orange.
E in DC

Wow – I was sure that picture was Kari Byron of Mythbusters, who really is the epitome of Nerd Chic.
ellie

To me a nerd is someone who puts a certain skill, usually academic or one single game, over social interaction or creativity, to the extent that they are a complete expert in it, but rubbish when you take them outside their comfort zone, so they have few friends and are picked on. A geek is someone who chooses to be a little different, similar to a hipster, and likes a wide range of activities which are maybe a little different too; many different games, anime, vintage, saving the environment etc and they’re usually much better adjusted. That’s what they are at my university anyway. I’m a geek, but I would never call myself a nerd.
Mandy

I agree with this article. It bugs me when people (girls AND guys) act like they’re nerds, but they are only pretending to be. Wearing a Marvel tshirt without actually liking Marvel doesn’t make you a nerd. Playing Mario Kart 64 one time at your cousin’s house doesn’t make you a nerd. Having thick rimmed glasses with no lenses doesn’t make you a nerd. Liz, and probably 99% of all other high school girls like her, are just fake hipsters.
semi-nerd?

if anyone actually took the time to watch her show, she actually was technically
a nerd. atleast in her first season.
she was from texas, land of cheerleaders and football
she was actually teased by the blond queen bee
it was probably just staged “mean girls”
but still, technically a nerd

i will say this, i actually really do not like her
- miinxi
  
  I loved her, and though your points are correct, she was picked on and etc. shes still totally nerd CHIC not nerd FREAK
Lauren

I have only caught this show a handful of times, and I don’t think I have ever watched the whole thing, but I didn’t think this show was real. Like I thought it was a fake reality show because it looks even more staged than The Hills did. Am I wrong?

And she absolutely adorable, so she is definitely nerd chic.
Scae

While I may agree with you in context, I think this brings up a very interesting topic.

Nerd girls… are the most judgmental group I have ever encountered in my life. Why can’t a nerdy girl be cute and made up, and not ‘dress like a nerd’? Who are you to tell someone that they’re not nerdy? Isn’t this discrimination and exclusion the same thing most of us faced in high school? why would we want to put someone else through that? What, she’s too pretty to be a nerd? she’s stealing all the cute nerd boys? Grow up.

Being a nerd girl these days hard. Yes, the idea in the imaginations of our cute nerd boy counter parts is rarely true. But why? Why can’t we make it true? Why can’t we be cute and confident? Why can’t we understand the basic concepts of fashion and incorporate subtle bits of nerd paraphernalia? Too afraid to be mistaken as a hipster? Let them mistake you for a hipster! Who cares? You’re not. You went through your trials, you payed your dues. We were all ridiculed and ignored, left to sit at the loser table because our moms didn’t buy lunchables or W/E stupid reason kids are mean.

It’s time for us to let go of these insecurities, stop judging other people because you’re threatened by their presence, and be the strong, confident young women we are when you put a game controller in our hands.

So grow up. Don’t tell me I’m not a nerd because I’m confident. Don’t refuse to be my friend because you THINK I took away your nerd boy. Don’t stop me in the mall to ask me if i’m a hollister hottie (wat? Who can afford that crap?) because i’m not wearing my brothers old pokemon t shirt. Stop doing what was done to you.

Confidence, ladies. Find it.