It's all a matter of how you look at it. Society has classified "nerds" to be those who are typically intelligent, non-athletic, off hobbies, self-absorbed etc etc....Now, you did say not to pull the "I like what I like" card. But how can you not? People have differing tastes and they always will. Just because one kid is a member of narutobase and another does fantasy football it doesn't mean that the kid who reads naruto is a nerd. It just so happens that the thing he/she loves or enjoys is less popular. I look at my friend who goes on and on about football stats like he's weird. The reason that I think he's crazy for enjoying football is that it was never something that I became interested in....incidentally I showed him Naruto and he said it's not his cup of tea...though after giving it a chance and trying to understand to some extent what it is, he stopped teasing me for reading it. those who brand us nerds are simply people lacking an interest of their own. They won't take the time to give naruto a chance or try to understand why some people like it....the reason for this is that its much easier to simply pass judgement on someone. "You can never dislike someone who's story you know." I think the same applies to anyone's interests. I recently watched some football and I recognized the appeal (though it wasn't my cup of tea.) I am a highschool senior among the popular crowd. I kept NAruto to myself for a while but then I just brought it up. Friends thought it was strange at first but I owned it and was proud of it and they accepted it. (and thought it was funny.) Another tangent, people will always think your strange if you try to hide something you enjoy. People follow celebrities in magazines or whatever and enjoy it. Picture asking two people why they enjoy following celebrities. The first says oh, well its just something Im interested in. I enjoy music and I like to know what influences my favorite artists or how long theyve played how they grew up etc. The second says woah!...i dont follow celebrities...thats weird....What im trying to prove in this digression is that its also a matter of confidence that brands one kid a nerd and another cool. If some nonpopular kid came to the popular crowd and said hey guys how are you? and another just looked at his shoes what do you think would be thought of the second kid? No we aren't nerds. We enjoy something not embraced by society for any given reason...its simpler to look down on something than take the time to understand it...just because we are called nerds doesnt mean you are. Also, sorry for the grammar and such...not really trying....but anyways if there is anything to take from this stupid rant...it is that we are not nerds and be proud of what you love.