The concept of being a “nerd” has taken on different hues over the years.
An early definition identifies a nerd as someone who is socially awkward, even dull, and especially unfashionable.
Then there is another definition that describe nerds as intelligent and technically-inclined with intense, even obsessive, interests in topics that many others find silly and even immature. In other words, probably not Maryland sports betting.
Movies (Revenge of the Nerds) and television shows (The Big Bang Theory) have been made about nerds, placing them in the role of underdogs who find themselves competing with others who, in contrast, consider their own conduct, dress, interests and demeanor to be more socially desirable. In other words, “cooler”.
Recently, though, nerdiness has evolved into its own state of coolness.
Perhaps it was the "superfan" Trekkies who started it all it all with their devotion to Star Trek, the science-fiction TV show that evolved into an entertainment behemoth.
That’s all mushroomed into a full-blown industry of fans of various fantasy entertainments, such as the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, which generate billions of dollars in all types of commerce.
So, if you’re a nerd, where are you most likely to be comfortable? Maryland nerds, rejoice! You have lots of company.
BetMaryland.com used data from Comic Cons in United States (USA) | Comic Cons 2023 Dates (comic-cons.xyz); from Bookstores in America, 2013: A State-by-State Guide (publishersweekly.com), and from Google Trends to construct a weighted scoring system based on number of annual comic book/anime conventions and number of bookstores per capita, i.e., a “Cool Things Score”.
Then, BetMaryland, typically focused on Maryland sportsbook apps, examined Google search volume on queries like “Live Action Roleplaying”, “Comic books stores near me”, “Tabletop Games”, i.e., an “Average Nerdy Search Volume”. The two categories were used to create a combined “Nerd Index” by which to rank the states.
In the Nerd Index, Maryland ranks No. 2 among all 50 states with a total Nerd Index score of 107.5. Without trying to be encyclopedic about nerd-friendly events in Maryland -- because there are too many -- we’ll mention one that pairs nerdy with swanky.
At the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C., an event called Station Unity will take place Aug. 11-13.
We’ll let them describe the event: “Station Unity is an annual 3-day fan convention held in the D.C. metro area for Science Fiction & Fantasy enthusiasts and entertainment. Station Unity is produced by Katsucon Entertainment, Inc. (KEI), an educational organization dedicated to bringing information about animation, culture, society, and entertainment to fans everywhere.”
So, with Maryland No. 2 on the Nerd Index with a 107.5, only Alaska had a higher score on the index at 143. The research done by BetMaryland.com indicates there really is no geographic trend to where nerds and nerd interests are found.
With Alaska the leader followed by Maryland, No. 3 on the Nerd Index is Kansas in the Midwest, and No. 4 is a tie between Wyoming in Big Sky County and South Carolina in the South.
In other words, nerds are found everywhere, which means that they fit in everywhere.
Interestingly, the lowest state on the Nerd Index is Hawaii with a score of 7. Maybe that’s because just being in Hawaii is a fantasy unto itself.
Author
A longtime reporter and editor who began writing on casinos and gaming shortly after Atlantic City’s first gambling halls opened, Bill covered the World Series of Poker and wrote a syndicated column on travel to casino destinations for a decade.
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