Mentor-A-Geek!

[BOZ]

inspired by quasqueton's thread, i was thinking today about what we can do to help make it easier on future generations of nerds.

ever see some gawky kid that just doesn't seem to fit in? maybe your sports fan friend has a quiet son that reads comic books and watches star trek. maybe that litte girl sitting alone in the library reading sci-fi books. hey, go make friends with them! let them know that they are special and there are plenty of other weirdos out there just like them - and it's perfectly OK to be strange! even tutor them in the ways of RPGs, computers, etc if they show an interest! just don't make their parents think you are a stalker or something!

do what you can to help the nerds of tomorrow develop a better self-image!

 

[Apocalyptic Kitty]

do what you can to help the nerds of tomorrow develop a better self-image!

Great idea, but the only thing that will really help is to teach them how to get a date. Good luck.

 

[Incenjucar]

1) Trick them in to enjoyable, low-impact, aerobic outdoor activities. LARPing, frankly, would be a great method. A little air is good for ya.

2) Trick them in to building up some strength, because, frankly, PE isn't gonna do it, nor is it going to be an enjoyable habit. I'm strong because I did yard work growing up (which I hated, and won't form a habit in me), and am only going to be keeping my strength up because I have a philosophy of never making a woman choose between 'strong and handsome' and 'kind and intelligent'.

3) Hygeine training. Most nerds are clean. Few nerds are notably clean. 'Jocks' tend to get in a second shower during the day via sports training. Nerds need to steal the habit somehow, though that's probably hard in schools...

4) Ego training. Confidence breeds Charisma. There's power in a grin.

5) Spread Interests. One-trick ponies are effing dull. Have something to talk about outside of your hobbies that others can more easily relate to. Cute animals are a good start.

6) Style training. Outside of a small number of groups that don't generally include nerds, messy hair really isn't going to get you much positive attention. Hair gel is your friend. Also, avoid extreme hair (especially facial hair) unless you can really pull it off. I get much more attention without a beard than I ever did when I had one. Looking clean and youthful -really- goes well with 'mature'.

7) Training in Regards to their Gender(s) of preference. If those around you are obscenely 'mysterious' to you, it's harder to walk up and say hi. Indeed, for some, I'd honestly suggest taking a long -clinical- look at nude images of various sorts, when one is of the proper age or consent to view such; remember that old line about imagining them in their underwear? If you've already seen everything, a little jiggle or a little 'reaction' to cold air won't phase you as much. Just make sure you don't instantly 'react' yourself. The point is to become -used- to such, not expectant of it.

8) Psychology training: Understand the how and why of those around you, it makes life much easier and makes people more predictable.

 

[Incenjucar]

Also:

9) Training in RESPECTING those you wish to do fun things with. A nerd who thinks those around them are just objects to grope or be groped by are going to get slapped quickly and left worse off than before.

10) Play seductive bards. Seriously. If you put enough thought in to their mannerisms, you can start picking up ideas on what would work with real people. Especially good for escaping having done something stupid, "Oh, sorry. I've something of an artist's eye, and my gaze tends to wander towards pleasant shadows and curves." You might still get slapped, but you'll at least get blushed at too. May help teach you to smile a bit every time you pass by someone who you want to see smile. Even if they never talk to you, at least you made them feel good for a second. Just don't overdo it. Moderation is key. Grinning like an idiot will scare the hell out of them.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

inspired by quasqueton's thread, i was thinking today about what we can do to help make it easier on future generations of nerds.

ever see some gawky kid that just doesn't seem to fit in? maybe your sports fan friend has a quiet son that reads comic books and watches star trek. maybe that litte girl sitting alone in the library reading sci-fi books. hey, go make friends with them! let them know that they are special and there are plenty of other weirdos out there just like them - and it's perfectly OK to be strange! even tutor them in the ways of RPGs, computers, etc if they show an interest! just don't make their parents think you are a stalker or something!

do what you can to help the nerds of tomorrow develop a better self-image!

You've been talking to David Brin.

 

[Telperion]

I for one see enough freeks and geeks during the short stories I run once every two weeks to know that I'm contributing to the future of this hobby.

The unfortunate reality is that those younger than me rarely see eye to eye with me on what is enjoyable and what is not. I give them a few hours of enjoyable, thought-evoking and challenging RPG. Then I let them go and hope some of them come back for more in two weeks.

[sarcasm]
It's not my responsibility to take care of them or make them grow up as twisted as I am. They are doing a good enough job on their own.
[/sarcasm]

 

[DonaldRumsfeldsTofu]

Lies! Nerds are the super-race!

 

[Gorilla726]

I really appreciate this thread. I've been doing my part (not with a geek, but with a shy brother of a friend as well as many other kids I know) and I'm really happy how it's going. They all deserve to be happy.

Gorilla

 

[BOZ]

LOL actually, this thread is turning out to be a lot cooler than i was expecting.

i was being serious and silly at the same time... (hmm, like usual.)

 

[BOZ]

Great idea, but the only thing that will really help is to teach them how to get a date. Good luck.

that's something i don't know enough about to teach anyone.