<p>I agree with the earlier poster who said their personal definition of “nerd” didn’t include intellectualism. While I’m certain I am not as intelligent as some on this thread, nor as intellectual, the discussion made me think of the many “nerds and geeks” I have lived around all my life.</p>
<p>Some smart people are drawn to fields whose principles can be proven in the natural world, like math and science. These are my nerd friends and relatives. Some of them get uncomfortable, impatient or bored with discussions that don’t involve facts. MIT, Caltech, Harvey Mudd, etc., are places where you can find some of these people.</p>
<p>Others, also smart, may be drawn to fields like art, philosophy, religion, literature, where you learn plenty of facts to be sure, but much of what you are studying involves unprovable ideas, concepts, shades of gray, interpretations of reality. These can be discussed and argued forever. Some of these people are intellectuals. </p>
<p>I like to be around a good mix of these people.</p>