Dr. Cosby, one of America's best entertainers from the 20th Century gave the keynote address at Carnegie Mellon University's graduation in 2007. He gives great reasons for why people who like learning should refuse to accept themselves as nerds. I have had to shake off the stigma that comes with running hard after my dreams.
"Nerds..."
"Why anybody would accept themselves as nerds, bothers me. If I'm looking at nerds, according to nerds, I think it has something to do with you don't know how to mingle, you don't know how to get along with other people or dance. Or stand in a room and look human. I don't know why you want to accept yourselves as being that because you all have continued on where non-nerds stopped. Now let's do math and they quit. All the non-nerds did that. They said 'I'm tired. Why do I have to know this?'
You guys have continued on. That's not nerdy--I think it's very, very brave (considering how many friends you've lost.) But think [of] how many friends you've gained. And listen to yourselves having fun."
If you like learning, or you want to make something of yourself, keep going and don't let anyone belittle you for challenging yourself. The people who many would call nerds, have the bravery and heroism to keep pressing on despite opposition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY-WFfajWq8
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