I'm a Subtle Nerd
I was visiting family this past weekend, and my uncle was wearing this awesome hat. It had a simple design, with a patch that said “Mustafar”, and in smaller text below, “Lava Fields”.
This hat is a great example of: “Tell me you like Star Wars without telling me you like Star Wars.”
Other examples of cool things like this I’ve seen in the wild include: a laptop sticker of the Tree of Gondor, a tattoo of the Deathly Hallows symbol, a Beatles style t shirt that instead said “Jon & Tormund & Gendry & Sandor & Beric & Thoros & Jorah”.
All of these things have something in common: they make a reference to a Nerdy Thing that’s only recognizable by the people who also really like the Nerdy Thing.
It doesn’t matter whether Regular People have any idea about what you’re wearing. Actually… the more oblivious they are, the better.
When you're a Subtle Nerd, your goal is to signal to other nerds that you’re a fellow nerd.
There’s a certain type of person who wants anyone and everyone to know how big of a nerd they are. Which is fine, I guess. But personally…
I don’t really care whether or not Regular People know that I like nerdy things. In fact, I often prefer they don’t.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with liking Nerdy Things. But if the only thing you know about someone is that they like Nerdy Things, compared to a Regular Person, there’s a much higher chance they’ll be Annoying. Search your feelings, you know it to be true.
However, one of the best parts about being a human is sharing your deep and enthusiastic excitement about a Thing with other people who like the same Thing!
Which is why I'm a Subtle Nerd.
It’s the best of both worlds! Fellow nerds will know that you like the same Nerdy Thing, without broadcasting to Regular People and risk being labeled as Annoying.
Either that or… I’m just a sucker for clever Star Wars references on clothing.