Nerds.

I've always found the stigma surrounding Gamers to be so incredibly interesting. "Gamer" refers to any individual who plays (regardless of the reason or incentive) games. You might be telling yourself "Well, there are many different types of games, so that's a broad statement". You'd be correct. There are tabletop games (think Uno, Chutes & Ladders, Dungeons & Dragons) which is literally any game you've ever played on a table surface. There are role-playing games. Sports are games. A challenge issued to a friend or a group of friends with various terms qualifies as a game. Video games are of course also games.

But yet the stigma - and when I refer to "the stigma" I refer to the common ideology which perpetuates the idea that "gamer" refers to what many would consider a socially awkward, "neck-beard mouth-breather", basement dweller weirdo - still remains.

Why? I can say that, in my 20+ years of playing games, I have never encountered someone who fits that stereotype. We are all Gamers, and we are all nerds. Nerds make the world go 'round. I've always been a nerd, and I'm proud to be one. But nerds get bullied. And for what? Most people can resonate with playing games in some capacity throughout their lives, so why do those who enjoy digital versions get such a bad rep? Why is it OK to play Pictionary, Cranium (challenge me bitches), or Uno, but socially "unacceptable" to play online games in any capacity? Why is the direct interaction superior to interaction with far more individuals in an online environment? It's interesting why that somehow is a differentiating factor. And then those who are behind games are put to the stake.

Who invented the various family tabletop games we have come to know and love?

Nerds.

Who made Nintendo and GameBoy possible when nobody thought there was even a market for such a thing?

Nerds.

Who pushed the boundaries and pioneered a future multi-billion dollar industry by making fun experiences on said hardware by having fun with creativity and ignoring the status quo that would have never otherwise produced such an important contribution to society?

Nerds.

"Nerds" make the world go 'round. Who else would care enough to spend time to challenge their passion and come up with touch screen functionality? Who else would have figured out how to shrink a phone from a giant brick to the early Nokia's that could fit in the palm of your hand? Who else would have challenged what was possible when it came to digital storage, processing speed, or internet capability?

Nerds.

We are all Nerds. It might be hard for some to absorb, but when I get on a bus or train, I look around and see at least 10 people shoved into their phones playing Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, or some other casual mobile game. The rest are plugged into their phones regardless of what they're doing. We are all plugged in, we are all Nerds, and we all use the platforms designed by other Nerds.

Remove the negative stigma behind "Nerd". It's normal to be a Nerd. It's awesome to be a Nerd. And chances are, you've said you are a Nerd at some point because you like something you thought might be unpopular. That doesn't make you a Nerd, that means you like specific things. But you are a Nerd. And that's good. And when you break it down, you'll find that "Nerd" really doesn't hold any meaning or connotation outside of anything that you didn't already associate yourself with.

So embrace the nerd. And remove the stigma. Transcend into truth.