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7 unexpected advantages of being a nerd

It’s hip to be square.

BEING A GEEK or a nerd in school could be tough.

You desperately wanted to be cool, but your braces and obsessive love for Star Wars held you back from the heady realm of the popular crowd.

However, a little late for us in secondary school unfortunately, nerdy attributes have become distinctly cool.

First, heavy-rimmed specs were co-opted by hipsters and then an avalanche of comic book movies rushed into the cinema. Being a nerd is now an asset rather than a liability – and here’s why.

1. All the best technology

Twenty years ago, a tech nerd would have been laughed at for their dream of high-speed internet access and more RAM than you could shake a stick at. With the rise and rise of the internet, however, it’s the hardware-obsessed geek who has had the last laugh.

Image: via Adverts.ie

An Apple aficionado  from the get-go, they now know everything there is to know – and as a consequence, they have all the best kit.

However, having tech know-how also has its draw-backs. As the family or resident nerd, you WILL constantly be called upon to fix the broadband. Sigh.

2. Insider knowledge on pop culture

New Batman in the cinema? Puh-lease. Comic book nerds have been reading these since you were reading your Ladybird books.

Image: via Adverts.ie

Smugness around niche elements of popular culture – be it films, comic books or gaming – is a major benefit of being a nerd.

However, nerds might want to heed the warning of the overly-smug gang in Big Bang Theory and not gloat too hard. It’s not a good look.

3. Thick skin

You’ve been through it all as a geek. You’ve weathered the storm of rejection, embarrassment and being made fun of to come out a resilient, confident person.

Image: via Giphy

As a result, awkward social situations barely faze you. (Or if they still do, at least you’re vaguely used to it by now, right?)

4. Stash of box-fresh memorabilia

Oh, how the other kids used to laugh as you saved up your pocket money for a Superman figurine, then never played with it.

Image: via Adverts.ie

But now it’s worth a couple of grand box-fresh on the internet.

Those kids are laughing out the other side of their mouth now, eh? Suckers.

5. Nostalgia points

With nostalgia for consoles and games of eras gone by at an all time high, you have become king of pub conversation.

Simply no one remembers Sonic on the Sega Megadrive better than you.

Image: via Adverts.ie

And now suddenly everyone wants to hear about it. Result.

6. Pub quiz victories

Your encyclopedic knowledge of what actor played James Bond in what films makes you an indispensable member of any pub quiz team.

Image: via Giphy

Pointless and mildly obsessive trivia is your middle name! Claim your prize: social validation.

7. The nerd look is in fashion

There has been an explosion of teen girls around lately wearing tee-shirts proudly proclaiming themselves a “NERD”. That’s your style they’re jacking.

Image: via The CWD

Band tee-shirt? Check. Heavy glasses? Check. Scruffy mop-top? Check. Stubble? Check.

You’re in fashion now, Pointdexter. Get used to it.

However you identify yourself, there’s stuff to suit your style on Adverts.ie. Whether you’re looking for never-opened action figures or the latest piece of tech hardware, you’ll find something to suit even the geekiest obsession.

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    Mute John Brendan Mullen
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:18 PM

    Every supermarket in Holland has had this since before I arrived 28 years ago. We pay a deposit on our bottles, plastic and glass and we get our deposit back when we return the bottles

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:32 PM

    @John Brendan Mullen: That was also a thing in all eastern european countries. It disappeared as soon as multinationals hit the market. Problem with recycling does not lie with people but with companies who are constantly looking at how to increase profit.
    I remember well returnable sturdy plastic bottles for coke/fanta etc… Companies figured out that it is cheaper for them to make single use cheap plastic bottles than to bother with shipping and cleaning returnable bottles for another use.

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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:47 PM

    @Pat Patovic: It’s still a thing in Germany, old eastern for that matter, most prevelant in off licences/drink shops. Great system…

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    Mute Karen Arabella O'Hanlon Cohrt
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    Sep 30th 2019, 10:16 PM

    @John Brendan Mullen: it’s everywhere in Denmark too

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    Mute Peter Cavey
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    Sep 30th 2019, 11:25 PM

    @John Brendan Mullen: when I was staying with my aunt in Boston in 93, she used to take her empty cans to the supermarket and they had a counter near the entrance that gave you money off vouchers for your shopping for every can you returned!! Don’t know how much it was but enough to make her keep empty cans.

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    Mute Johannes Baader
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    Oct 1st 2019, 7:55 AM

    @John Brendan Mullen: same here in Germany

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    Mute Kiernan Gildea
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:28 PM

    These machines have been in the Netherlands since at least 1994. We’re only 25 years behind on this one…

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    Mute John Brendan Mullen
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    Sep 30th 2019, 11:11 PM

    @Kiernan Gildea: I arrived in Holland in 1991 and they were already there.

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    Mute Alan McDonald
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    Sep 30th 2019, 11:16 PM

    @John Brendan Mullen: They had them beside the Red Sea when Moses parted it.

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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Oct 1st 2019, 5:50 AM

    @Alan McDonald: is that how all the plastic ended up in the ocean?

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Oct 1st 2019, 8:46 AM

    @Alan McDonald: ha ha ha ha excellent

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    Mute John Brendan Mullen
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    Oct 1st 2019, 10:53 PM

    @Alan McDonald: brilliant

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    Mute Eamonn O Connell
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    Sep 30th 2019, 10:45 PM

    We had a glass bottle return in my Mam’s shop back in late 70s and early 80s and everyone brought back their glass and the various companies took em back for reuse then Tetra Pak and plastic became the norm and wiped the glass out. I always thought milk tasted nicer out of glass pint bottles. We also had a far cleaner countryside cos every child would be fighting over dumped bottles Togo and get 10p which would buy a good few sweets

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    Mute Séan Ó Nuanáin
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:18 PM

    Go deas le feiceáil. Ba chóir ceann a chur i nach siopa

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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:44 PM

    @Séan Ó Nuanáin: Ta me Mahogany gas pipe. Nil aon Fáine Or agam!

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    Mute In my opinion
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    Sep 30th 2019, 10:11 PM

    These should be common place in every town village and city in Ireland.

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    Mute Devilsavocado
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:26 PM

    No brainer!!! Why the hell is this only happening now??

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    Mute E
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    Oct 1st 2019, 1:14 AM

    @Devilsavocado: it’s Ireland

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    Mute Thomas Meaney
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    Oct 1st 2019, 7:40 AM

    @Devilsavocado: we’re leprechauns. If it makes sense we will deny it for as long as possible until one day many years later someone will have a lightbulb moment…. Meanwhile the world’s moved on….

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    Mute Nina Wallenius
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:55 PM

    I’m 54. As long as I recall this was standard for glass bottles since I was small. Later plasticbottles and cans were added to the system.
    This was in Finland.

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    Mute Means of escape
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    Sep 30th 2019, 10:09 PM

    @Nina Wallenius: time to return to glass bottles
    Country is awash with glass

    A broken bottle in the sea has majorly less impact on the environment than a plastic straw

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    Mute John Horan
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    Sep 30th 2019, 10:27 PM

    @Means of escape: what about the energy used to make and transport the glass bottle? Also the natural resources used to make the glass bottle?

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    Mute sue
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    Oct 1st 2019, 7:46 AM

    @John Horan: I may be wrong but I think the recycling process for glass is easier. Transport is more expensive as heavier but I think the environmental impact would still be less with glass

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    Mute Alan Kenny
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    Sep 30th 2019, 10:50 PM

    I remember politicians saying it wasn’t feasible to do this in Ireland. More down to the fact that they are to lazy and in bed with Multinational companies

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    Mute Alan McManus
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:58 PM

    I seen this in Germany 13 years ago and Ireland only gets it first one now typical ireland

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    Mute Robert McGrath
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    Sep 30th 2019, 10:56 PM

    Why cant we just be like the rest of the world and get actual coins for bringing bottles back? The homeless in germany and canada as i witnessed even go through the bins to get bottles. Less rubbish, more recycling and keeps people fed. Vouchers is a step indeed but it’s better to get that 25c back off the bottle. All adds up.

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    Mute Julia
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    Oct 1st 2019, 8:34 AM

    In Ireland they’ll probably set up a company first.. ‘Irish Plastic’, spend a lot of money on consultants, charge supermarkets a lot of money installing the machines….and then don’t follow through….

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    Mute EoinDub
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    Oct 1st 2019, 6:58 AM

    This is great to see but I guarantee you some little knackbag will put his hand in it, get injured and mammy will sue. Joe Duffy will hop on the bandwagon, call it a disgrace and the whole thing will be cancelled. This is ireland remember.

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    Mute Jim Harrington
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    Oct 1st 2019, 6:20 AM

    It’s a start but why does it take us so long to do everything that is good, surely these machine can be fitted in every town by Christmas

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    Mute Lar Meyler
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    Sep 30th 2019, 9:54 PM

    No where in this article or trial does it.mention a bottle deposit. Otherwise, at 10c a bottle refund, this is not viable.

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    Mute Diarmaid O'Riordáin
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    Sep 30th 2019, 11:56 PM

    @Lar Meyler: because it’s a trial….

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    Mute Marty
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    Oct 1st 2019, 5:21 PM

    @Diarmaid O’Riordáin: it’s 100% viable tax the bottle makers and allow normal people to recoup the money for recycling them

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    Mute Reuben Gray
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    Oct 1st 2019, 12:09 AM

    This is even a thing in some US states like Michigan. Has been for years.

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    Mute Boris Becker
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    Oct 1st 2019, 1:13 AM

    8 cent after Tax

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    Mute Con Veron
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    Oct 1st 2019, 11:41 AM

    About fekn time …Simple idea

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    Mute Marty
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    Oct 1st 2019, 12:09 PM

    Great idea! I am living in frankfurt we have them over here really encourages ya to recyle plus you get paid

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    Mute Peter
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    Oct 1st 2019, 11:04 AM

    What can be done with the voucher? Is it cashed out in a shop?

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    Mute Dan Skelton
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    Oct 1st 2019, 3:55 PM

    Probably got to give 50 bottles back just to get the 10c.

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    Mute Roger Camp
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    Oct 1st 2019, 6:54 PM

    But you are paying for the recycling. Look on the bottles for the recycling sign, that means there is already a levy to pay for the recycling. Rip Off Ireland at its finest

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