What is a Nerd? The typical definition of a Nerd is someone who is passionate about an activity that is not necessarily mainstream. Typically these activities have to do with technology or academia. In addition to the passion, there has always been an aura of being a social outcast associated with the term Nerd.
The Nerd has been portrayed in the media as someone who wears outdated clothes or have their pants above the belly, suspenders holding them up, with high water ankles.
And then there are the glasses. Think lenses. Dark plastic rims. Tape around the nose. Tape around the sides.
The Nerdly Ways and Means feature is a weekly column that will help to dispell some of these misconceptions, while taking pride in other Nerdly characteristics.
The new economy has replaced some of these traits. Now, when one thinks of a Nerd, it is more typical to think of someone wearing jeans and T-shirts all the time, or shorts to work. Most of the T-shirts are probably from on-line giveaways or computer trade shows.
There are still occasions to bring out the classic nerdrobe from the closet. Like the premier of Episode 1, or even the local computer networking events.
Nerdly attire is going mainstream. There has been tremendous press over the last few months about the connected wardrobe. Phillips is developing a line of wearable electronics. According to Stefano Marzano, Managing Director of Philips Design, says: "As manufacturer of electronic equipment, it is Philips’ desire to provide people with tools that will help them communicate, stimulate their brains and senses with entertainment and information, and do more and achieve greater freedom of action in a wide variety of fields. This amplification and exteriorisation of people’s powers and capabilities through technology has to be carried out with the maximum of ease, freedom and comfort possible".
Doesn't she just LOOK like a Nerd?
According to the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/.../882254.stm) "Clothes equipped with fully integrated computer networks have been designed and developed in a joint venture between clothing company Levi's and electronics company Philips, following three years of intensive research. The clothes, which could become the essential fashion of the future, enable the wearer to be fully connected to the world wide web at all times." These clothes are expected to sell for about 600 pounds.
The ultimate future for the Nerdly wardrobe may be internal. Kevin Warwick, the head of cybernetics at Reading University near London, has been living with chips implanted in his skin for two years. According to his web site, http://www.cyber.rdg.ac.uk/K.Warwick/WWW/fpage.htm "On picking up the unique, identifying signal {of his imppant}, a computer can operate a range of devices, such as doors, lights, heaters or even other computers. Which devices are operated and which not depends on the requirements for the individual transmitting the signal."
What type of Nerdly wardrobe do you wear? Visit our Assembly Web Discussion and view others comments or post your own.
