Nerd Culture

The term nerd refers to a stereotypical depiction of an intellectual yet socially inept person with a high degree of interest in technical topics and/or fantastic genres of popular culture. Originally socially secluded and highly self-referential, nerd culture—with its intellectual outsiders and their seemingly strange interests when compared to the mainstream population—has become widely accepted by and integrated into the broader culture. This entry traces the cultural-historical development of nerd culture from its origins to its contemporary manifestations, then provides analyses of media practices, which are essential for nerd culture.