I want to be a nerd

What's behind this need to be a nerd? I think I am not confounded by the urge to be seen as one. I just want to be one.

You know the woman who knows about quarks, black holes and super string theory? The one who can understand the inner world of a psychotic criminal and the impact of a proposed solution for the Middle East issues? That's who I want to be.

I am not ashamed to admit it but want to truly try and understand what exactly about this pursuit of trivia caters to my self-image?

Listing potential causes of the "I love being the nerd" syndrome:

1) I want to be seen as a nerd and somehow that's cool

2) I just want to be a nerd because it makes me feel superior to others

3) I don't care about being a nerd - just can't help being one

4) Nerdiness gives a certain immunity to real life issues. Make that real life crises. Can't make it to the moms' coffee party in the park? Never mind - you are a nerd anyway stuck in some book or something. You get the idea.

5) It makes your boss think super high of you. So high that you will never be given charge of any real world issue.

6) You can pretend to not be bothered about the whole wide world in general and about makeup in particular 

7) You are allowed to forget birthdays especially the "tinker bell themed" kiddo ones (phew!)

8) You have a nerd of a life partner to bounce off nice nerdy thoughts on nothingness

9) Everything except 1 and 3

10)"I have no freaking clue" is never an option. 

So there!