Hey, interesting question! What have you been reading? Some anecdotal speculation: Even if Computer Science is still nerdy, Computers arent and knowledge of them can be a very valuable social asset today. So, it does seem as if nerds might be on the rise. When discussing this with friends the other day, one argued that it was Geeks, who were becoming more mainstream (i.e. Adam Brody) and that a nerd who was true to form, meaning a pale and hunched white man who lives in cellars etc etc) is still not going to get a date. Johanna Johanna Roering University of Tuebingen On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 5:35 PM, Sarita Yardi <sarita.yardi@gmail.com> wrote:
Does anyone know of any recent research about how new media relates to nerd culture stereotypes? There are a large number of very recent books and news articles about this topic, and some claim that being nerdy is going mainstream. Presumably they mean it's not necessarily defined by computers and A/V and pocket protectors anymore, but video games and MMORPG's and MySpacers and other activities that may break the traditional white male nerd stereotype. Computer science is still as nerdy as ever, a perceived by kids, but do we know if new media studies or cultural studies indicates different trends in other areas? Speculation welcome, even if you don't know of any research being done on it.
Thanks very much, Sarita
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