Nerd merit badges beat purple nurples

Technogeeks must congratulate themselves in life. No matter how deft a chmodding, the only accolades you can expect to get from the outside world will be delivered in a currency of indian burns and purple nurples, “nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd.” The logic-based acrobatics of the mind will never socially compare with the pec bouncing and upside-down push-ups of our simian, testosterone-drunk peers. We must reward ourselves.

To the rescue, Global Nerdy, who are releasing a series of Geek Merit Badges for $3.99 each. The first is the Octocat, which rewards Open Source Contribution. No word on future merit badges, but I’m hoping at least one will be for Home Trephining.

Nerd Merit Badges [Official Site via MAKE]

1. [strider_mt2k]

   I propose a badge for self congratulation.

   ‘probably look like an Escher Painting or something.

2. [tikaro]

   @John Brownlee: It’s actually us at Nerd Merit Badges selling the nerd merit badges, not Global Nerdy. Though pointing that out comes close to earning us some kind of “Hairsplitting” DE-merit badge.

   @Haineux, what @Locks said

   @vsc, those science-nerd badges are ABSOLUTELY a big inspiration for us. We always love them, and how they are a peek behind the scenes in that community (my favorite one was “published a science article in the New Yorker”)

   @strider_m2k, A self-congratulation merit badge is a FANTASTIC idea. We think it should have two thumbs on it.

   As in: “What has two thumbs and earned a self-congratulation merit badge? THIS GUY!” We’ll get right on making it.

3. [haineux]

   So why does this merit badge, for “Open Source Contribution,” have a octopus kitty cat on it?

   Or what is that?

   Or who put LSD in my coffee?

4. [VSC]

   This reminds me of the science geek badges.

   http://www.scq.ubc.ca/order-of-the-science-scouts-of-exemplary-repute-and-above-average-physique/

   Sadly, I don’t think they’ve ever made them, just designed them. Perhaps in making the Nerd badges, they will.

   While the ones that actually apply to my work are fun, my favorite of the crop is this: The “totally digs highly exothermic reactions” badge.

   Mmmm… highly exothermic reactions….

5. [locks]

   @Haineux

   This is why.