Nonetheless, I enjoy a healthy spoonful of cheese every now and then as long as it is accompanied by another entertaining aspect. What is that aspect? That depends on the movie! So let’s get on with it.

Ghost Rider
Why it’s seen as horrible: The amount of cheesy lines is incredible. Once you add in the typical comic book villains with no characteristics other than anger you have one horrible, horrible film.

Why I like it: I’m a huge Nicholas Cage fan. Yes, I said it. Add in the fairly decent computer graphics, the awesome bike, and the hot girlfriend and you have a film I’ll enjoy.

Batman & Robin
Why it’s seen as horrible: The biggest complaint about this Batman is always the bat nipples. For me, that doesn’t matter much. Hey, it gives some characteristics to the suit! The fight scenes thrown together in an hour, cheesy lines, and a whiny Robin are the the kickers.

Why I like it: The writers actually did a fairly good job putting Mr. Freeze’s character together. Yes, he isn’t The Joker from the Dark Knight, but his character is still built up enough for the viewers to see he isn’t all evil. Add in The Arnold playing the role and you have a great villain. Hey, I actually like Arnold’s one liners.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Why it’s seen as horrible: Almost every critique bashed LoEG for it’s plot and atmosphere being different from comic books. It also didn’t help that the characters lack depth.

Why I like it: Sean Connery does an excellent job (as usual). Add in Tom Sawyer and a few excellent fight scenes and you have a movie I’ll watch.

Catwoman
Why it’s seen as horrible: This movie lacks character depth and supporting actors like there is no tomorrow.

Why I like it: Halle Berry in a tight suit, with a whip, and acting like a cat. Should there be another reason?

Tank Girl
Why it’s seen as horrible: Too many film tricks: some scenes are completely animated, others contain still graphics, and the script writing isn’t quite up to par.

Why I like it: It is so far out there that it is worth watching several times. Young aggressive females out to kick ass; what is so wrong with that? The dialogue (although it is limited) is also quite hilarious.

Swamp Thing
Why it’s seen as horrible: It is completely different than other Wes Craven horror flicks. Add in a poor script, low budget, and un-scary events with a typical ending and you have a good chance of being labeled as a horrible film.

Why I like it: Since I’m not particularly a Wes Craven fan (this film is much tamer than his usual movies) I’m not bothered by its lack of usual Cravenesc behaviors. The movie includes great photography (shot in many great locations, including real swamps) and a 50’s style horror film feel with horrible makeup/costumes. The poor script allows this film to be put into the humor genre at the local rental store and there is definitely nothing wrong with that. Who doesn’t like a good laugh every now and then?

Judge Dredd
Why it’s seen as horrible: The main argument comic book lovers have against this film is Dredd removes his helmet (he never does in the comic). Everyone else complains about Rob Schneider.

Why I like it: Sly Stallone was one of the best action heroes of the 80s and early 90s. This movie came out after his prime but it is still typical Sly. There is just something about his looks and badassness which makes his acting worth standing, no matter how horrible the rest of the film may be. Nonetheless, this film does offer enough humor (yes, Schneider does have a few good moments) and upbeat pace to keep the popcorn flowing and the eyes-a-watching.

The game is titled FreeCiv. The first version was released on January 5, 1996. It is highly customizable and allows for both multiplier human and AI opponents. Since the game is based off both Civ I and II, players are able to choose from three different rulesets: Civ I, Civ II, and default–the most commonly used settings amongst the FreeCiv crowd. Of course, all rulesets are customizable.

Gameplay is extremely similar to the Civilization series. Actually, the only differences are the ones you choose. Up to 30 players may join in and teams may comprise of as many members as you wish.

After installation, you are given the choice of starting a new game or starting a scenario (you may also connect to other games). Starting a new game is essentially a quick start while starting a scenario allows you more customization.

Within the scenario choice lies a tutorial. It is quick and extremely useful for beginners. If you wish just to start on your own without the tutorials help, you are given the choice of choosing a map (more maps are available on the FreeCiv wiki page). After, you are brought to the player setup and rules page. Here, you decide which ruleset, amount of players, nations, and what teams (if any) should be used. Now we are ready to play!

Features:

• Civilization like game play
• Good UI
• Decent graphics
• 30 nations
• 100+ leaders
• Team play
• Multiplier capability
• 5 AI skill levels
• 50 playable units

One problem the game has is crashing. Luckily, updates are continually improving the stability of FreeCiv; however, problems still exist–the longer a game lasts and the more players the more likely the game crashes.

As time goes on, FreeCiv continues to improve and adapt more ideas. Features are always coming and the gameplay is only to get better.

FreeCiv is a great, free, multiplier, and customizable version of Civilization. I highly recommend this game to anyone who enjoys turn-based games.

Nerds saw a huge jump in movie roles after the popularity of the term increased when put on display in Happy Days in the mid-70s. Ever since, nerds have had a place in Hollywood.

Here is a list of my favorite movies about nerds (ranked according to their IMDB rating).

Weird Science (1985)
Although this film is ranked barely above average (6.3) by IMDB, it has its place in best nerd films for no other reason than the movie contains every nerds dream–the ability to create a gorgeous women through programming.

Once you add in that this film is freaking hilarious and the fact Wyatt Donnelly was a professor at ASU when I attended there then there is no other reason to not add Weird Science into the list of top movies about nerds.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
When I was younger, this film was on television (yes, edited) almost every single day. So even at an extremely young age I was exposed to the nerds ability to defeat the jocks.

Now that I am older and have seen the unedited version, I enjoy the film that much more. Does that make me a pervert? No, because I already know I am one. Anyway, that isn’t the reason I enjoy it more. It is because many parts of the film were deleted for time constraints and words were censored.

Lucas (1986)
A true nerd who is picked on endlessly encounters a blessing as an attractive girl moves in down the street and attends his school. She’s a bit older and down to earth. The nerd loves her. As the two become best friends the nerd falls for her even more. She of course, only likes him as a friend. She (who would have guessed) falls for the football star. She falls for the football star. Luckily, the nerd has his own admirer who is just as down to earth.

The Nutty Professor (1963)
Yes, the Jerry Lewis original. As Lewis plays an even more believable nerd than Eddie Murphy, he sets out to become a handsome, popular man. Like Murphy’s version, Lewis is picked on constantly by almost everyone who knows him. He is even embarrassed in front of his class (which contains the beautiful Stella) by the football coach. Once he drinks his potion, he becomes a popular, handsome, and socially capable dude. Of course, the potion wears off quickly and hilarity ensues.

Real Genius (1985)
A nerd (Gabriel Jarret) is the youngest student to ever be accepted into a university for geniuses. He partners up with his roommate to develop a high-powered laser, only to have it taken by their teacher once it’s complete. The laser was being created unknowingly to finish a military contract to kill humans by laser from space. But that isn’t really the story.

The story is the roommate, played by Val Kilmer, is a mellowed out dude who use to be exactly like the young genius. Eventually, Kilmer teaches him how to mellow out and enjoy college. Like all nerd films, the nerd must fall in love, and he does.

War Games (1983)
A young computer nerd accidentally connects into a nuclear weapons facility and launches a game between America and Russia. Neither side realizes that it is just a game, until when it isn’t. The countdown to WWIII begins, but the nerd and his female companion save the day.

At the beginning of the personal computer age, War Games rose many peoples awareness for both the danger and hope the computer age will bring. It is definitely a nerd classic.

Carrie (1976)
This film is unlike the others mentioned. It is a Stephen King classic about a nerd who is the child of a Christian fanatic. She is so sheltered by her mother that she doesn’t even know what is happening to her when she has her first period. She of course, contains the same powers as her father. She learns more about her powers only to have them come to great use at the end.

Pi (1998)
A math nerd who has terrible headaches is unsocial and obsessive with patterns. He is a number theorist who is attempting to find a predictable pattern within the stock market. He is lonely and his only contact is a math professor.

The math nerd works on his calculations within a super-computer, only to have it crash and spit out a 216-digit number. He gets the computer to work again, but it spits out the same number while crashing. Once the computer stops printing, he starts writing it down only to recognize it. As the movie goes on, the nerd’s headaches increase, he’s kidnapped, and thugs use the number to crash the stock market.

Underworld has clothes and fighting skills like the Matrix, guns like Blade, and the blue camera filter like every other ‘dark’ film made in the past 15 years. Some people may enjoy this but to me it seems like the filmmakers simply wanted to smash together several aspects of successful films and roll with it.

Sure the werewolves, I mean ‘Lycons’, are pretty cool, but they look like a mixture of Alien and Crocodile Dundee. The only werewolf which looks bad ass is William. I don’t blame the director for wanting William to look bad ass, he should, but the other werewolves could look a ton better. Hell, they could have used the makeup/costume from Wolf and I would be happy.

Let’s move onto the guns. Sure, I fully expect vampires and werewolves to use modern technology. Why wouldn’t they? But using guns to fight against each other and only resorting to hand-to-hand combat last second is a bit ridiculous. The only vampire which uses what the bat gave him is Marcus, only because he has cool wings. Alright, so Viktor and Michael have a nice fight (even though Viktor had a sword). Out of all the vampires and all of the werewolves you have one, maybe two decent fights and those fights are only decent because the werewolves (for whatever reason) decide to drop their guns and turn into Alien Dundee. They then not care how many times they are shot and continue to run at the men holding guns so they can slash and bite.

Maybe the vampires are smarter? Why use the bat when you can use the gun? The werewolves could just be stupid and turn to instincts instead when facing difficulties. Or, maybe the film is just stupid because of this.

For Michael supposedly having unlimited power he sucks at fighting. He never wins a fight. Yes, he fights against strong vampires and wolves but he still sucks endlessly. Not only does he suck, but he sucks so hard that he almost dies four times. “Oh look, Michael is going to die! Nevermind, he is alive.” You would think after a few times one would realize he pretty much can’t die unless he gets the Viktor treatment (which by the way, is a stupid way for a master vampire to die).

Some reason, Michael’s costume reminded me of Teen Wolf and Hulk. I guess it’s because he looks like a mini-hulk (I kept thinking of Conan O’Brien’s skit where he turns into the Hulk) and he moves around like Michael J. Fox in Teen Wolf.

Which leaves me to Selene’s character. The second film seems as if the writers thought, ‘people love Kate Beckinsale, so lets make her even more bad ass!’ and they did just that. She becomes so bad ass that she is more badass than Michael can ever be. But never worry, she loves him and they will soon make an Uber baby (even though in the sex scene he doesn’t have a penis and he looks like he is trying to stick it in Selene’s belly button).

The uber baby will be even more powerful than any other vampire, wolf, or hybrid. He will be one-part wolf, two-part vampire, and two-part immortal. Fantastic. What makes Selene and Michael believe they can actually control their child when their forefather couldn’t control his? He was more powerful as well. He loved them, but he couldn’t kill them. Not many parents could. So why should we believe they can?

This is why there should be a forth film titled Underworld IV: Uber Baby. The baby can roam around in his diapers kicking the crap out of the neighbors kids. Then, when he is a teenager (wait, how will that work? Vampires and werewolves don’t age and I doubt immortals do either) He will get all the ladies but turn each one into a blood thirsty vampire. After controlling a herom, he will release them upon New York and gain control of Wall-Street.

So here it is, a list of ten television series worth watching which were picked up for the 2009-2010 season.

Doctor Who
A British science fiction series which follows the adventures of a mysterious time-traveler known only as “the Doctor”. He encounters monsters and other science-fictionesc antagonists and rights the wrongs.

Stuff Happens
Remember Bill Nye the Science Guy? He is back! But this series isn’t just for kids. He takes ordinary home objects or foods and tells how they are hurting or helping the environment and tells what the alternatives are.

MythBusters
Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman are two special effects experts who use their expertise to answer whether or not a myth is probable. Oh, I can’t forget to mention their sexy sidekick Kari Byron, the nerdy Grant Imahara, or the daredevil/model specialist Tory Belleci who always help out by working on their own myths.

The Big Bang Theory
An experimental physicist and a theoretical physicist share a room across the hall from a gorgeous blond waitress who somehow affords her rent on that salary. Nonetheless, the series is indeed funny even if it has its awkward moments.

Heroes
As a sci-fi drama series Heroes really hits home for a lot of nerds. The plot of the series is similar to comic books and each episode is built to connect to the overall large picture. The series follows the lives of ordinary people who discover they have extraordinary powers.

Dollhouse
A science-fiction series which follows the life of Echo, a member of a group of people known as “Dolls”. These Dolls are people who have had their memory and personality erased and replaced by an amalgam of several real people. The Dolls are hired out to do jobs which include crimes, fantasies, and good deeds.

The Office
The Office is a satirical mockumentary which takes place mostly at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Michael Scott is the typical asshole but sometimes cool boss. Dwight Schrute is a power hungry sycophant. Jim Halpert is the assistant manager who is currently engaged to the receptionist, Pam Beesly.

So why is this series funny? Because Jim and Dwight hate each other, Michael Scott is incredibly awkward, and they are often put into everyday and not-so everyday situations which turn out hilarious.

Green Porno
No, this probably isn’t what you were thinking it was. This show is about the mating habits of different animals around the world. The host, Isabella Rossellini, enacts the habits using cardboard cut-outs, sculptures, and other props.

Lost
This show follows the lives of members aboard a plane crash which stranded them on a mysterious island. The series has a large ensemble cast allowing the writers to include new plot elements every episode. This series has been tied into comic books, web comics, video games and board games.

Chuck
No, this show isn’t science-fiction, but it does involve a nerd and a beautiful woman (well, some people think so anyway). The series follows a computer nerd who received an encoded email from a friend who works for the CIA. The email embeds information about a neural supercomputer into Chuck’s brain; however, he only remembers flashes of information which is triggered by his surroundings.

This completes the 10 best nerd TV series still running & worth watching. Hopefully you have found something worth watching in the list. If not, feel free to share what you feel other nerds will enjoy.

Actually, the rumor was as far along as stating there were working versions being tested. Several months later, a source related to this rumor stated it had been scratched due to underwhelming excitement in polls-very weird if you ask me.

It is believed that the rumor was started by a game developer who worked with Blizzard in the past, so there may be some credibility to attach. This rumor, of course, may or may not have been completely true. The only ones who know whether or not this really happened is Blizzard and the person who started the rumor.

Nonetheless, rumors generally have at least some truth to them. We know for a fact that Blizzard has been planning a Diablo III since 2001 because of the great reception Diablo II and Lord of Destruction had. We know for a fact that Blizzard is known to take their time on new releases and test several versions before the final-even though they are generally buggy.

After adding up the probability of this to have happened, I would give it a 30% chance which is much higher than I usually give rumors.

Whether or not this is true, it is obvious that it is not going to happen anytime soon. Instead, Diablo III is set to be released sometime in the 2009 fall/winter if everything goes to schedule. Which means it will probably be the spring of 2010, and really, I wouldn’t blame them. I wouldn’t want to release both StarCraft II and Diablo III just several months apart either.

Why bring this up now? Because it should have happened! After looking at the many trailers of the newest Diablo, it seems almost the exact same as the previous just with new characters, woopity-doo-da. Sure, I’ll probably plop down the dough just to get a taste, but this is a let down. Come on Blizzard! Give us something new and not just the same ol’ same ol’. I just hope I’m wrong and they really did change more.

The other possible origin of the word ‘nerd’ are:

1. The ventriloquist dummy Mortimer Snerd.
2. Northern Electric Research and Development labs in Ontario.
3. A possible alteration of the word ‘nert’ which is an alternative to ‘nut’.
4. From the word knurd (drunk spelled backwards).

The slang meaning of the word is traced back to Detroit, Michigan in 1951 as reported by Newsweek. The slang meaning spread across the United States and Europe by the early 1960s and became a popularized term in the 1970s due to its heavy usage in Happy Days.

What is a Nerd?

The first slang usage of ‘nerd’ was meant as ’square’ (a conservative) or ‘drip’ (a boring person). Over time, it was changed to mean someone who looks different, but has once again changed to mean something entirely different.

Steve Urkel is not a modern-slang-meaning nerd. He is not anti-social. Also, nerds do not always dress that way.

So what is a nerd in todays lingo?
Today, a nerd is someone who is intelligent and anti-social. The rest of the meaning depends on who you ask.

The term can mean someone who:

• is physically unappealing.
• smells badly.
• lacks in confidence.
• goes against popular trends.
• buys the latest tech gadgets.
• follow science-fiction or fantasy.
• stays on the internet far too long.
• is handy with the computer.

What is the difference between a geek and nerd?
The debate of geek vs nerd is heated and almost never ends with an agreement. Some view geeks as simply intelligent individuals while others view them as someone who is simply obsessed with one particular subject-generally technology, science fiction or fantasy-and is intelligent. However, geeks are rarely seen as anti-social.

What is the difference between a dork and a nerd?
Dorks are not intelligent and are often more physically unappealing than nerds. Dorks however, are seen as obsessed with one or more of the following: science fiction, fantasy, or technology.

Which are you?

A few years later, Diablo II released and was seen as a major evolution in terms of online gaming. Battle.net was free and several spells were made with multi-player in mind (auras and war cries). Once high enough, just kill Diablo over and over again until you get the gear you need (or trade with others). Go onto the next level and do the same. Awesome.

Diablo III looks to continue the same feel of the other two, but with new classes, new gear, new skills while still following the storyline. Now though, we will be able to choose male or female versions of all classes. What more could we ask? Well, I can think of one thing.

The problem with Diablo III, like Diablo II, is Blizzard is planning to allow only one PC per IP to play at any given time. And even though this rule was laxed for some periods on Diablo II, there are plans in place to continue the bannings.

LAN parties are a huge no no (yes, you will still be able to play the LAN mode but it will not be connected to the Battle.net characters. So what is the point?). Hell, I won’t even be able to play together with friends when they are over. What sort of crock is this? I understand the need to rid the game of bots, but this is ridiculous. There has to be a better way to detect their usage.

I absolutely love the Diablo series. I have been playing it for over a decade, but I can’t continue on with the series when I am already juggling my time around. With games which I can play with friends, at least we can do that together. With Diablo III it won’t be possible, at least Blizzard’s current planning.

Is this a goodbye? Probably not. I am not strong enough to stay away from the series permanently. However, as of right now I am no longer making plans to pre-order Diablo III or buy it anytime in the near future.

Perhaps this will change. Perhaps not. The release date still hasn’t been announced, but is expected to be sometime before Christmas 2009. That does give them time to make changes and I hope they do.

Now, there are many films which could be argued as more popular amongst the community, but these just so happen to be not only loved but also well referenced in terms of everyday conversation. Some of these movies are indeed based off books; however, most often the popularity–even amongst nerds–reemerged when the movie hit theaters.

For your convenience and mine, I will clump the trilogies together. And with that, I will leave you with the list of 10 movies nerds love and reference.

10. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

    Why nerds love it: Alright, so not everyone loved it (which is why it isn’t higher on the list), but I (and many others) swear by this film. The hilarity, extra-terrestrials, and deconstruction and reconstruction of Earth are perfect examples of magnificence.

    How it’s referenced: 42. That is all you need to know.

9. Matrix

   Why nerds love it: A computer geek turns out to be the “chosen one” with kick ass fighting ability and gets a pretty hot girlfriend. As well, the idea of being plugged into a virtual reality gives many of us a hope for life being better than it is today. What’s not to love (besides Keanu Reeves being Keanu Reeves)?

   How it’s referenced: Neo, artificial intelligence, and the slow motion fighting are amongst many of the frequently mentioned subjects in life of nerds. Alright, so the slow motion fighting is often coupled with this lists #1.

8. Terminator

   Why nerds love it: Robots fighting robots, Arnold being bad ass, tons of explosions, and just the thought about the possibilities of AI in the future.

   How it’s referenced: Anything Arnold related generally has to do with the Terminator. “I’ll be back”, the sunglasses, being completely kick ass, etc. Then once you add in the talk about robots starting a war (although this can also be attributed to I, Robot), the liquid robot, the term ‘terminator’ when talking about robots, and the oh so much love for Linda Hamilton in the 80s you have a movie that is referenced almost daily.

7. Planet of the Apes

   Why nerds love it: Traveling faster than life and going to far away places is a dream of many nerds (and so is dating a chimp… oops, did I say that?). Once you add in the fact that humans ruined humanity, well, you are right down nerd-alley.

   How it’s referenced: This film is all about the quotes. “Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!” and “You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!” are always the favorite. These quotes aren’t always mentioned of course, but when they are it is always awesome.

6. Soylent Green

   Why nerds love it: Futurism, overpopulation, global warming, and the police overstepping their powers. This movie is essentially what nerds talk about daily but all wrapped up into a film. Oh, except the eating other humans part-unless you count zombies.

   How it’s referenced: This film is often talked about when it comes to global warming and the police over stepping their limits. Of course, this is my favorite: “It’s people. Soylent Green is made out of people.” Mmm.. delicious humans. This subject is talked about both seriously and non-seriously. Just imagine, if everyone gave their meat to the hungry after death the world would have a lot less starvation and many more cannibals. Earth needs more cannibals. It helps keep things interesting.

5. Lord of the Rings

   Why nerds love it: Everyone loves an orc, dwarf, goblin, and elf war. If you don’t, then you probably aren’t a nerd. Yep, “probably.” That is, because you might just be a nerd who acts like you hate the films because it is popular. In that case, you are would be the ultimate nerd.

   How it’s referenced: The books are definitely referenced more with mega-nerds speaking in Elvish. Nonetheless, the films still make it into conversations quite often. One reason, the films completely kicked ass. The second reason, many female nerds absolutely love the elf. But -how- exactly is the film referenced? Mainly with calling others Gollum or speaking in his voice.

4. Back to the Future

   Why nerds love it: An entire generation of nerds grew up wishing they could ride a hover board and time travel due to this movie. The hover boards, time travel, the humor, and seeing the bad guy get manure dumped on somehow floats our boat. If it wasn’t for the third film, the Back to the Future trilogy would rank higher on everyones list as must see.

   How it’s referenced: The flux capacitor. Whenever time travel is mentioned, the flux capacitor is a sentence after. Mr. Fusion is another which is mentioned quite often. How cool would it be to turn garbage into energy? Well, nerds are working on it. Obviously, Mr. Fusion makes its way into conversations as an alternative energy source quite often as well. Others: DeLorean, hover boards, flying cars.

3. 2001: A Space Odyssey

   Why nerds love it: Stanley Kubrik always has great cinematography and this film is no different. Add in the evolution of humans, space travel, and great special effects (which have aged incredibly well some 40-years after) and you have a great flick. This film is often seen as one of the best films of all time, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it makes the list.

   How it’s referenced: The computer, Hall 9000, always seems to make its way into conversations. Don’t ask me how, but it just happens. We just love evil computers. Ironic, eh?

2. Star Trek

   Why nerds love it: Nerds love almost everything about the enormous Star Trek franchise. Warp speed, the many humanoid races with wide-ranging back stories, each character having a deep personality and history, the connections between each Star Trek film are just to name a few.

   How it’s referenced: “Beam me up Scotty!” is just one of the many quotes famously said on Star Trek. What is most popular, or rather, mostly known by non-Trekkies, are the fans who dress up as Vulcans or Klignons for conventions (or role play, I don’t judge).

1. Star Wars

   Why nerds love it: Mmm… Jedi powers they have. Yes, everyone loves Yoda. A green frog who talks and has super powers? Awesome. A chosen one who sets out to save the galaxy (and just so happens to look human)? Even better. Add in space travel, lightsabers, and Harrison Ford and you just might have one of the best films made for nerds of all-time.

   How it’s referenced: Every nerd and their sister has at one time spoken into a fan to sound like Darth Vader. Don’t deny it! Then you have nerds who talk like Yoda, nerds who dress like space troopers, and others who dance around with lightsabers. Of course, I can’t forget to mention the Leia costume.

You might be wondering why there is a funky ordering or why Tron, Logan’s Run, or others aren’t mentioned. Obviously, that is because some films aren’t well referenced in nerd culture and some movies are more loved than others. Besides, if you dislike this list, comment and tell me what you think it should be.

This is why not only does this list include the best of SciFi but also the best of fantasy and utopian/dystopian literature.

So here it is, a list of books (or series of books) that nerds love:

10. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

(buy)

This series includes five books, each following the life of Arthur Dent as he meets an alien, Ford Prefect, whom is writing a guidebook. The two escape death and travel aboard Prefect’s semi-cousin to find the question to the ultimate answer.

Why nerds love it:
Aliens, humor, the destruction of Earth, and the ultimate answer. If these four things were written on a piece of toilet paper, no doubt it would be picked up by a nerd and stashed away for future reference.

9. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

(buy)

A future where firemen burn books and pleasure is the ultimate importance. The protagonist is a fireman who learns how to be a free thinker through a series of events. Crimes against both humanity and animals are consistent throughout the book. Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 was his way of critiquing the American society.

Why nerds love it:
Although society hasn’t jumped that far down the creek yet, many aspects of Fahrenheit 451 are seen today. Many books are banned in various countries and almost anything out of the ordinary is looked down upon. Know what is out of the ordinary? Nerds. We can easily relate to the books theme.

8. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

(buy)

This novel has become famous for its portrayal of a futuristic, totalitarian regime. Many terms and concepts created by Orwell’s 1984 have now entered popular culture, including “Big Brother”, “Newspeak”, and “Doublethink”.

Why nerds love it:
It’s the future man! That, and the fact that, sadly, many of the Orwellian societies features are being implemented today and/or have been talked about being implemented–particularly thought crimes, big brother, and the manipulation of language.

7. The Ender’s Game Series by Orson Scott Card

(buy)

Sure, the series isn’t just novels, but when it’s one of the most significant science fiction series of the 1980s, it just has to be mentioned. The first book revolves around Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, a child soldier when Mankind is facing annihilation from the Formics, an insect-like bug species. The series follows Ender’s life and struggles as he deals with his training, space travel, and other species.

Why nerds love it:
The Ender’s Game Series has been criticized for being morally unclean, some comparing Ender to Adolf Hitler. Although this does bring some curiosity to the table in relation to the character’s thinking, the relationships at the training school and with other species allows readers to relate to today’s society and problems.

6. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

(buy)

Even if you have never seen the movies, you must have an idea of what the books are about. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel series about a Dark Lord who created One Ring to rule the other Rings of Power and conquer Middle Earth. The series follows the lives of a group of Middle-earth humanoids who venture across the land to destroy the ring and end the War of the Ring.

Why nerds love it:
The books bring together many of the nerd popular humanoids (elves, dwarves, orcs, humans with wizard powers) and puts them in Middle-earth surrounded by war fought with swords, arrows, and magic. What isn’t there to love?

5. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

(buy)

This book is perhaps most famous for introducing the phrase ‘time machine’ into the English language to mean any vehicle which travels through time. But of course, this novella has much more to it than that. Wells’ The Time Machine was one of the first books to discuss a dying Earth.

Why nerds love it:
Not only does this book discuss the future, but it discusses the future of humans, their evolution, and a utopian society. The fact that this is all being experienced by a time traveler only adds to the nerdiness. Once you add in the cannibalism and crab-like human ancestors, you have one hell of a read.

4. Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

(buy)

This science fiction novel follows the life of Juan Rico, a military recruit, as his career progresses. The story takes place during an interstellar war between mankind and “the Bugs” and includes several social philosophical subjects.

Why nerds love it:
This book has the best of both worlds, a man’s journey from military recruit to officer with a political and philosophical ideas which make the reader think seriously about their own society. Starship Troopers has been criticized for being racist, fascist, and utopian, but this just adds to a nerds curiosity.

3. The Sprawl Trilogy by William Gibson

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The Sprawl Trilogy is made up of Neuromancer, Count Zero, and Mona Lisa Overdrive. The books are based in the near-future shortly after World War III in a world dominated by corporations. The main theme focuses on artificial intelligence and it becoming the sum of all human knowledge.

Why nerds love it:
The books have tons of action and futuristic details (like “jacking in” similar to the Matrix) while still being cutting-edge over 2 decades later. Any mention of black market organs, artificial intelligence, and space habitats in the same book, nonetheless series, is likely to get nerds drooling.

2. Enemy Mine by Barry Longyear

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In the late 21st century the humans are at war with a reptilian humanoid race, the dracs. After a human and drac pilot crashland on Fyrine IV the two eventually learn how to cooperate in order to survive the harsh environment.

Why nerds love it:
War, the future, and interspecies relations are just a few reasons why Longyear’s novella is loved by so many. But the interspecies relations which can be seen as a metaphor for struggles between our own human racial groups is why this novella has become so famous.

1. The Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert

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The Dune Chronicles is a series of books about a desert planet, Arrakis, in a time some 20,000 years in the future. The human race is now scattered across many planetary systems with ongoing battles between aristocratic houses. Arrakis is home to a spice called melange which is used in both space travel and longevity. As the series moves on the planet and aristocratic rulers change, but one thing remains, the importance of Arrakis.

Why nerds love it:
Space travel, longevity, super humans, all in a time when aristocrats are at war for power. Herbert blends politics, finance, and religion into one of the finest science-fiction masterpieces. The first novel of the series, Dune, was the first recipient of the Nebula Award for best novel and remains the best-selling science fiction novel in history. Of course, that isn’t so much why nerds love it as it is how much nerds love it.

Do you have other favorite nerdy books? Tell us what they are in the comments.