Nerd Test
September 23, 2006 Posted by Amy Hall
The following is a simple test you can take at home to determine your nerdiness level.
In the Weird Al video White and Nerdy, the nerd purchases a black market item on the street. Watch the video and then compare your reaction to this rare item with the following categories to determine your nerdity.
If you guessed what was in the paper bag before he opened it, your nerd quotient is freakishly high. You are a “Nerd Commander.”
If you knew about
the existence of this item and, at some point in your life, actually
took steps to obtain one of these for yourself, you are a “Nerd Jedi.”
If you just said,
“Hey, Nerd Jedi should be above Nerd Commander!” you are a “Super-Nerd”
and will henceforth receive no sci-fi reference in your title.
If, after obtaining the item, you walked away from it after no more than 40 minutes, you are a “Nerd Apprentice.”
If you knew this item existed but you never tried to see it for yourself, you are a “Red-Shirt-Nerd.” You have occasional forays into nerddom, but it's not a place where everybody knows your name.
If you know what “red-shirt” refers to, go back up to “nerd apprentice.”
If this is the
first you've heard of this item and you are, even now, opening a new
browser window to search through eBay, you are a “Secret
Nerd”–otherwise, your nerd pack would have informed you of its
existence long ago. [Also, I must warn you that you think you want to see this item, but you really, really don't. Please trust me on this. Please.]
If you've never heard of what was inside that bag, and furthermore, you have no curiosity regarding it, then congratulations! You are nerd-free!
I have no category for the nerdiness level of someone who would create a test out of this video.
(HT and my eternal gratitude to Deborah Graff for sending me the link to this video. Live long and prosper, Deborah.)
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- Can anyone else relate to this?
- Idols for Home Sellers on the Go
- Link Wars: A New Hope
- The Links Strike Back
Posted in Amy's Posts, Culture, Main Page, Miscellaneous
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September 23rd, 2006 at 2:02 pm
I guess I'm a Nerd Jedi/ Super-Nerd, but I had an additional nerd reaction- why didn't he get it on DVD? It's been available in that format for awhile now…
September 23rd, 2006 at 2:10 pm
ROTFLOL!
September 24th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
I feel that my nerd circles have betrayed me. I have always considered myself adequately nerdy, but I have never even heard of this. Now that I know of its existence, I do have a burning curiosity, though it is somewhat quenched by your review that I really, really, would rather not see it.
September 24th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
It is, quite simply, one of the worst things one could ever watch. It is by all means a disaster. And yet, it is required watching for true fans. (trying to remain abstract for those who haven't watched the Weird Al video yet)
September 24th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
I just like the fact that you used the phrase “nerd circles.” I think I'll be adding it to my personal lexicon.
Oh dear. I suppose having a personal lexicon makes me equally nerdy.
September 24th, 2006 at 7:58 pm
[Warning: spoilers!] Bill, if I told you about Princess Leia singing a song about “Life Day” (the “Christmas” holiday in the Star Wars universe) to the tune of the Star Wars theme song, or about the 20 minute wookie scene with no subtitles, or Bea Arthur singing “Goodbye, Friends” as Imperial troops close down the Cantina, or the cooking show starring Harvey Korman dressed in an alien suit with four arms, you'd think it would be so bad it's funny. You'd think so, but you'd be wrong. It's just bad. Really, really bad.
September 24th, 2006 at 10:12 pm
I just read somewhere that this actually aired on Network television. It sounds from your description as if this is one of the worst things ever to air on network TV. I have to look this up again and find out if they actually had a real production budget and any of the real actors. I can't believe this aired in my cognizant lifetime and I've never heard of it.
September 25th, 2006 at 6:43 am
Er, is there a category for those of us who saw its original airing?
September 25th, 2006 at 11:33 am
Yes, it ran on network television, and some of my friends remembered the first airing, but only the Boba Fett cartoon part. Once we all watched it again, the reason for that became clear.
Did it have any of the real actors? Only Mark Hamill (wearing more makeup than I ever have, I might add), Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, James Earl Jones…. Don't believe me? Look here. (And, oh yeah, I forgot to mention Art Carney.)
September 25th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Heh, heh. Did you watch the whole TWO HOURS, or did you walk away before the 40 minute cutoff?
September 25th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
I suppose by your categories, Amy, I am a Nerd Apprentice, since I have never tried to watch it (having been warned away), but I know what a “Red Shirt Nerd” refers to.
However, I think you need to invent a new nerdiness category for those of us who immediately recognized the equation that was on the “white board” behind the two guys in the “White and Nerdy” video, and at one point in our lives used it on a regular basis…
September 25th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Yeah – I guess I'm uber-nerd because I actually took the time to figure out the lyrics to this and post them on my blog (http://mereblogging.blogspot.com).
Love Weird Al though – he is very funny.
Shawn
September 25th, 2006 at 7:04 pm
You kiddin' me? I was a like 7 years old! Of course I watched the whole TWO HOURS! And all on a 19″ B&W Panasonic.
September 25th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Speaking of which, what's with the other guy dancing in front of the white board? Anyone specific or just a random guy dancing?
September 25th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
that's no random guy – that's Donnie Osmond!
Shawn
September 26th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Laurie, yes, that is a special nerd level, indeed!
September 26th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
Awesome! I can't get the song out of my head.