It’s funny; neither of my parents are the slightest bit nerdy at all, but both my eldest sister and myself come pretty close. Honestly, I’m not sure that I really qualify as a nerd. I’ve never been entirely sure of the definition, or of the difference between a nerd and a geek – although somehow, I think that geek involves technology in some way.
My father comes closest to either definition, I suspect, but only because as an engineer he’s always been interested in computers and various gadgetry – something I have inherited in a far less hands-on way.
So where do all my interests come from? I think it’s because I was encouraged when I was little to pursue what I enjoyed. Just look at this picture of me aged 8, circa 1982.
Right there is pretty much the genesis of every bit of nerdiness I have – except for my deep and abiding love of all things Star Trek. Yes, even Voyager.
In this picture there’s evidence of my early interest in Star Wars, Doctor Who, fantasy, comics, books, Dan Dare, science fiction, figure collecting (in the form of Kermit and Fozzie) and even talking monkeys – allow me to elaborate:
See?
Right here, in this one photo, is the genesis of a nerd. I have to admit, in spite of collecting comics and toys (not to mention movies and TV shows) pretty consistently from the age I was in this picture to, oh, about now, I’ve always kind of hidden my nerdlight under a bushel.
I mean, yes, there was that picture of me in the Eagle wearing a logo jumper that my mum knitted for me (and believe me, if I can find that picture, I’m putting it up here), but aside from that I think I’ve always managed to come across as relatively…well, normal for lack of a better word.
I think the main reason for this was my shyness. I was – and still am – incredibly shy. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself too much when I was younger; to a large extent I still don’t. And I think because of it I’ve held back a bit from doing things that I always wanted to do. I followed the safe career path because that was easier.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s served me pretty well, and more importantly I met my wife through work so I can’t really complain too much – but I still have this itch that needs to be scratched.
As my wife has said in the past, looking wistfully at the bucket loads of money earned by ubernerds such as Joss Whedon, “Yes, you’re nerdy. You’re just not nerdy enough.”
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