The word nerd has been thrown around for ages. Some see it as a negative term; some see it as a positive. I for one see the word as a positive. While I can't ascribe to be the traditional textbook case, I can say some behaviors that I have exhibited over the years could be considered "nerdy". Take for example my love of books. While lately I've learned that many people as teenagers wanted books on their birthday, I can't help remembering getting the "side eye" from a few family members and friends about this request. I'm not sure this would officially make me a nerd or just someone who loves books.
Anyway, I say all of this to put in a plug for This American Life. I absolutely love this show! It's a radio broadcast that's on NPR and over the last year or so has became one of the top podcast on itunes. Each week they choose a theme and do different stories on those themes. For example, one of my favorites is on Chicago's first African-American mayor (see podcast 11/9/07 "Harold") or the podcast "Houses of Ill Repute" (see podcast 2/2/07). The show has become so popular that it is now a show on Showtime.
I guess the appeal for me is that it is story telling at its best. We not only hear the story from the author but from the author's characters as well. In a world so caught up with "scripted reality," here is an example of reality in the purest sense of the word. So check it out, let me know what you think.
Here is the info for the web-site: www.thislife.org. You can catch a new podcast every week on their web-site or itunes. The best part is that it's free!!!!
So does this officially make me a nerd?
