To nerd or not to nerd? Is that a simple question?

With society filled with retro hipsters, being a nerd isn't such a horrible stigma anymore.  Or is it?

Reading comics and playing D&D won't leave you living in your parent's basement anymore.  With uncool becoming cool again, dressing the part of the nerd is now socially acceptable, But why?

A few years ago celebrating the nerd culture, would have left you watching Babylon 5 reruns on a friday night.  Its programs like "Attack of the Show," which showcase the best of nerd and tech culture.  Now I am not oppose to the nerd culture, I celebrate with my Darth Vader helmet, but I am just curious why the attitudes have changed so fast.

Perhaps its the popularity of comic book movies, like Spiderman and Batman, which have made the reading of the back story socially acceptable.

Not all Nerdage, new coined phrase, leaves you Mr./Mrs. Cool.  Being a hardcore nerd still leaves you alone outside of your counterparts.  Things like old Star Trek and Battlestar Gallactica episodes are still too much for the average nerd to handle.

Determining Your Nerd Level

1)  You have used a wrapping paper tube as a light sabre, and made the corresponding sounds with ur mouth.

2)  Instead of a bikini/underwear model poster, you have a signed photo of the entire cast of Star Trek: Next Generation.

3)  You can recite full scenes of Monty Python's Holy Grail.

4)  You've gone to a comic-con as something other than yourself.

5)  You have a 10 page list of editing errors on a show that contains one or all of the following: lasers, spaceships, Jedi's, Spock's, ghosts or robots.

If you answered yes to three or more questions, you're too much nerd for society to handle. Answering one to two means you may read some comics, but the more mainstream, like superman or batman. If you answered yes to none, then you are fonzie-esc, the epitome of cool.

Being a nerd will eventually go out of fashion, but until then keep searching for those droids you are looking for.

- Robert

Do You Have the Electronic Cold Sweats?

In the midst of the information age, society has craved constant change in electronics. Has this craze gone to a complete addiction of electronics and electronic media?



It is easy to see that as our technology changes rapidly, we become more accustomed to having the newest and the best of these new technologies. The perfect example comes in cell phones, and their emphasis on the latest and the greatest. Apple has just recently revised the ever popular iPhone, to the new iPhone 3G. The original iPhone was released in the United States on June 29th, 2007, and the newest installation, 3G, was just released July 11th, 2008. Even though it left a lot of the apple fan boys disappointed in the quick upgrade, which rendered their iPhones obsolete, they still lined up for hours to get the latest edition of the smart phone.



The next prominent example is the internet. With a boundless supply of software and multimedia, it is easy to see why the service is so addicting. A major part of culture today comes from finding the most extreme and funny videos. The social networking tool is another aspect, which would keep users on the internet for hours. Much like the cell phone, huge internet usage is spent posting pictures and keeping in contact with friends.



There are even sites dedicated to device and multimedia addiction. The best example is crackberry.com, which feeds on the life consuming blackberries.



Technological feats are developed everyday, and being human leaves us unsatisfied with old technology.



- Robert

Staying WiiFit?

Nintendo is a master of creating demand on a product, and WiiFit is the most recent hardware to fall short of demand.

If you want a WiiFit, good luck. The peripheral is in the same demand as the console when it was first released. With low supply and high demand, retail stores can barely keep it in stock.
The hook is with product innovation. They make games which are fresh and ground breaking it appeals to a larger fan base, from casual to hardcore gamer. WiiFit also plays on the health craze. The system is good for both home exerciseds and parents who want their gamer kid more active.

Making the balance board more versatile adds to the demand. Its compatible with future releases like skate for the Wii.

If Nintendo continues to make broad demographic and innovative games, they will hold a strong demand on their products.
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Your Privacy on Youtube

When it was ruled on july 1st, that youtube had to submit user data in Viacom's $1 Billion lawsuit, users and pro-privacy experts were outraged.

Well, the cries were heard and now youtube can mask their user information on users who have watch videos on the popular media website. This comes with relief to both users and those fighting the obvious privacy violation.
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry