There is no doubt that those of us who tinker are passionate about what we do. We are knowledgeable, smart, and often think of ourselves as invincible; right up until we leave an unattended 3D printer to create spaghetti or stick a foil alcohol wipe package in between 120 V prongs to act as a nightlight blocker. Yet, when it comes to social interaction, we often shy away and fail almost immediately. Why is it that the Hacker or the Nerd cannot also be known and respected by the general public? And more importantly, how can we be known as the people God created us to be? Having made this transition myself in high school, I want to provide a guide to bridging these two worlds.
Redefining the Labels
The word "nerd" is often synonymous with being a know-it-all, socially awkward, or dorky. The word "hacker" often implies a genius breaking into a system for nefarious purposes. Neither of those descriptions is appealing to the general public, and neither is truly accurate for the people who receive these "compliments."
As our skills progress, we often embrace these labels and lean into them even more. However, the first step to being truly known is to take a step back and ask: Do you really need to make "nerd" your entire identity? Christ calls us to find our identity in Him (Ephesians 1:4), a pillar much deeper than any hobby or technical skill.
The Know-It-All Trap
One common ailment is "Know-It-All Syndrome." No one likes a quibbler, yet that is exactly what we tend to become. When an acquaintance casually mentions a topic that piques our interest, we feel a strong urge to correct them or impart our vast unwelcomed knowledge on them.
We must stop this. Resist the urge to "well, actually" people unless it is absolutely necessary. If the people you are talking to seem genuinely interested and willing to listen, then you can slowly open the vault. Until then, keep the gates of knowledge closed. Talk about ordinary things; you may surprise yourself with how long you can hold a conversation.
Maintenance Isn't Just for Machines
Hygiene is your immediate outward appearance. It is the interface that either attracts people or drives them away. Whether it's a simple workplace injury left untreated or untamed hair, people notice. If you can calibrate a print bed to a fraction of a millimeter, you can manage a shower and a toothbrush. (A few rare people are already on top of this, but then again, they probably don't need to read this post.)
Beyond basic hygiene, there are elements of physical stewardship that we often neglect:
- The Brain: The all-nighters that caffeine drunks regularly pull lead to mental decline and sluggish responses.
- The Eyes: Neglecting exercise while spending hours at a screen results in poor health and failing eyesight.
- The Frame: Assuming the bug in your code will magically appear if you crane your neck closer to the screen is how you develop a permanent hunchback.
We deem these basics "unimportant," but the world sees the neglect and assumes laziness.
Socializing Beyond the Circle
We all need to interact with people; isolation hurts your well-being over time and leaves you out of touch. The easiest place to start is with fellow makers; people with similar interests who can talk for hours about the things you love.
However, self-socializing exclusively with other nerds can lead us down the wrong track. While it's a safe venue, it can allow us to grow distant from society's baseline and, often, away from God. You don't want to lose touch with the rest of the world or forget your Creator. It is vital to socialize with fellow makers who understand you, but you must also remain capable of communicating with those who don't.
The Bottom Line
Bridging the gap doesn't mean giving up your passion. It means updating yourself so that your heart is actually accessible to others. When you master both your craft and your conduct, you stop being a "weird nerd" and start being a person people actually want to listen to, and the person God created you to be.
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."