I was watching a youtuber who focuses regularly on comic books and scifi. Doesn’t matter who he is, but he has a large following and thus a lot of haters.

One of those haters was trashing him on twitter by saying he wasn’t a real nerd and only started reading and talking about comics when he saw that he could make money talking about these things. What was the hater’s proof? His channel started off focusing on a different subject. Also… and I’m not kidding… he never wore shirts with comic book characters on them until about 6 years ago.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I stopped calling myself a nerd a long time ago.

Nerd, geek, whatever. When I was young, it wasn’t a badge. It was just what you were. We were the kids that weren’t into the same things as our peers. We liked reading and talking about Star Trek. Most of us didn’t know how to talk to girls. We weren’t trying to be different. We just were.

That’s not the case anymore. Now you’re not just a nerd. You’re part of “nerd culture”. You’re part of a tribe and you have to let the world know. And if you don’t? Well… you’re not a real nerd. (See above.) Ironically, the people who say things like this are constantly accusing the old guard, such as myself, of being “gatekeepers”.

What used to be people with a shared hobby has become a personality trait. The reason “Hater Dude” doesn’t believe “Mr Youtube” is because HD represents the new tribe, wherein nerd culture isn’t just a thing you do. It is literally your whole personality. Mr YT is a relatively normal human being. He has other interests.

There’s also a hierarchy. At one point, I was one of the most knowledgeable people I knew on comics. There were only two people that I was sure knew more. One no longer operates in that space. The other is Blake Petit, who still has a column on such things. Now, no one I know really cares about who is the biggest geek. But online, I would meet these guys… No. Guys is too nice a word. I would meet these overgrown children who would try to start arguments to prove they were the king of nerds. First of all, I have yet to meet one who knew more than me. Secondly… WHO FREAKING CARES? You want to go online as the Geek King? You want to put on a cape and a crown and challenge people to prove your sole source of worth? Have at it, hoss. I have a life.

I still read old comics. My friends and I talk about art and movies and Star Trek. Occasionally- and only when I am around the house-- I will wear a t-shirt with a comic book character on it.

I’m still a nerd. I just don’t want everything that comes with it.