American Nerd: Story of my people

Mar
2010

1 Comments By chadgardner Posted in Books

I just finished American Nerd: Story of my people by Benjamin Nugent and I was fairly disappointed. On the bright side, it is a quick little read, informative and well-written. I had two main problems: 1. It lacked energy and was fairly dull. 2. It may reach a little too much and is restricted by the author’s sensibility. I feel like he is proud to renounce his nerdhood.

My favorite chapter, by far, was “the cool nerd: superficial reflections on the hipster.” I earmarked the page with my favorite passage from the book.

“I love things I love because I am guided by some untamed voice within me that causes me to have random obsessions. I will follow my individualized obsessions, not trends and be transparent about those obsessions, even when those obsessions tell me to like things widely considered ugly and cheap.” It’s the cultural capital of quirk.

Living in Chicago now, I find it wildly amusing that he used Wicker Park as an example. The only thing that would have made me happier is if he would have mentioned hanging out at Sputnik’s in Cap Hill (Denver) drinking a “The Professional” (Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of espresso).

Back to the quote. His ideas behind hipster culture are remarkably funny and ironic because his theory probably creates a market for books just like this. I mean, nerds are too busy being engrossed in their obsessions to read a book about nerds. Hipsters on the other hand, when not reading books like this, are too busy shopping for vintage “I Love Nerds” t-shirts.

This gets me in the mood for more non-fiction. Any suggestions?

Banana Hands

first i’ll start by saying of course i haven’t read this book so my comments are more my own personal take on hipsters (what i define as hipsters).

hipsters love to think they’re so original when in all reality they are actually more trendy, more judgemental, and are often more easily influenced then other types of people. why do you think they’re so easy to spot? why do you think they all look so alike from their fedoras down to their chuck taylors?

when a relatively small subset or counterculture becomes an everyday part of society, or even celebrated segment (especially in pop culture), they’re no longer unique, rebellious, individuals, or outcasts, or whatever they’re aiming for. they have actually become more the norm in the cities in which they live.

they’re beloved irony should be more closely regarded as hypocrisy.

excuse me while i try to cram this mammoth ass and grapefuit balls into these skinny jeans i’ve got a band nobody has heard of’s EP release party to go to at Doubledoor in Wickerpark.

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American Nerd: Story of my people