Top Nerd States

[strawman]

http://blog.estately.com/2014/04/the-nerdiest-states-in-america/

While the methodology isn't perfect, the results are nonetheless interesting entertaining.

Utah is #1 and falls in the "Nerd Heaven" category, while Michigan is merely "Nerd Friendly" at 16th in the US.

Obligatory:

 

[PatrThom]

How is CA labeled "Few Nerds?" Is the density really that low?

--Patrick

 

[LittleKagsin]

#1 YA'LL!!!

(That's awesome, but seriously, I would never permanently live here. And I would never encourage anyone to move to this state. Run, run while you can!)

 

[blotsfan]

Current state: nerd friendly
Home state: nerd hell

 

[sixpackshaker]

It is hard to believe that TX does not rank higher on the friendly scale.

 

[Dei]

Current state: nerd friendly Home state: nerd hell

I totally buy it, based on the totally anecdotal evidence that I was the only nerd/geek in my entire extended family that lived in the area. My current state is nerd heaven and I love it!

 

[Tress]

It's hard for me to accept that CA is "Few nerds." I live on the outskirts of Silicon Valley.

 

[sixpackshaker]

It's hard for me to accept that CA is "Few nerds." I live on the outskirts of Silicon Valley.

But there are vast cities there that are not tech centers.

 

[DarkAudit]

#10? Whoda thunk it?

I never even knew Tsubasacon existed. And it's in it's 11th frelling year!

 

[Tress]

But there are vast cities there that are not tech centers.

I understand that, but the SF Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and larger LA metroplex should be enough to get this state a little high on the nerd scale. I'm just amazed the central valley is such a rural wasteland that it can negate the tech center of the US.

 

[GasBandit]

I'd say Maryland was actually incredibly nerd friendly. Or at least it was 25-30 years ago. Colorado actually seemed less so. And I can vouch for Texas not being nerd friendly, at least not in K-12. When my family moved from Silver Spring, MD, to El Paso, TX, I was in 5th grade, but placed ahead into 8th grade math. The EPISD put me back in my own grade because they didn't have policy in place to deal with advanced placement students, I stopped studying, and the rest is history. NM is very nerd-friendly, though, I can verify.

 

[Celt Z]

I'm very surprised/confused why we're "Nerd Hell", considering it's very easily to find gaming cons/comic cons/trading card events in my state and has been that way most of my life. Hell, our township has an "Art of Minecraft" class that meets monthly (bi-monthly?). And last I checked, we were ranked #1 in the nation for science in our schools. (Or we were a year or so ago. I haven't checked if it's changed yet.)

 

[GasBandit]

Ok, having read the article linked, I don't agree with their definition of nerd, nor the methodology which they use to rate friendliness.

 

[Emrys]

I can completely agree with Alabama being #47 on that list.

Of course, Alabama is hell on earth for myriad reasons.

 

[GasBandit]

I can completely agree with Alabama being #47 on that list.

Of course, Alabama is hell on earth for myriad reasons.

But Jen-nay.

 

[PatrThom]

I can completely agree with Alabama being #47 on that list.

Of course, Alabama is hell on earth for myriad reasons.

Cranky just escaped Alabama. He has no love for that place, only for a handful of people in it.

--Patrick

 

[Emrys]

But Jen-nay.

Fer-git it, Forrest.

 

[Krisken]

Wisconsin- where D&D was invented. I'm not surprised.

 

[SpecialKO]

Their definition of nerd doesn't really make much sense. What they're actually looking at is a cross-section of geekery, in which case, they left out

(among many others)

• game geeks
• band geeks
• SF lit
• math nerds
• science fair competitors/administrators
• fantasy sports (debatable)

Plus, the Facebook audience is aging out. If you're looking for young nerds/geeks by location, you also need to be looking at Instagram and Twitter (and Pinterest, if Pinterest had location-based info).

 

[Jax]

Plus, the Facebook audience is aging out. If you're looking for young nerds/geeks hipsters by location, you also need to be looking at Instagram and Twitter (and Pinterest, if Pinterest had location-based info).

FTFY

 

[General Specific]

Not at all surprised SC is on the bottom bit of that list.

 

[jwhouk]

14th puts us as barely "nerd heaven."

 

[Bowielee]

Hmmmmm.... I find the pattern intriguing. On first look, it would appear as if there's a positive correlation between conservatism and nerdiness.

 

[Mathias]

I'd say Maryland was actually incredibly nerd friendly. Or at least it was 25-30 years ago. Colorado actually seemed less so. And I can vouch for Texas not being nerd friendly, at least not in K-12. When my family moved from Silver Spring, MD, to El Paso, TX, I was in 5th grade, but placed ahead into 8th grade math. The EPISD put me back in my own grade because they didn't have policy in place to deal with advanced placement students, I stopped studying, and the rest is history. NM is very nerd-friendly, though, I can verify.

Maryland has a huge biotech sector in Bethesda/Timonium, and Gathersburg.

 

[linglingface]

Wooo Washington #6! Amazing conventions up here, and lots of amazing people!

 

[fade]

Yeah, I'm going to have to agree with @GasBandit. These are geek traits, not nerd traits.