The "Nerd Defense"? (life, self)

[Warszawa]

I seem to run into a large amount of "nerd defense". It's when someone is arguing and then another person simply retorts with "you're a nerd"

Usually it goes like this

Person A- Honestly idk why Justin Bieber smoking weed is a big problem, just live and let live
Person B- Must be nice living in your mom's basement

Person A- The worship of Lebron James is ridiculous since all he does is play basketball
Person B- You're only saying that because you're a nerd who sucked at sports and was never popular

Person A- Justin Bieber has a sh*tty voice, The Killers are much better
Person B- You're just jealous because you're an unpopular nerd and The Killers are also unpopular and jealous of Bieber's fame

How to retort to this? Example 1 usually happens exclusively on the Internet, but the other two happen in real life

[Ro2113]

Originally Posted by Warszawa

I seem to run into a large amount of "nerd defense". It's when someone is arguing and then another person simply retorts with "you're a nerd"

Usually it goes like this

Person A- Honestly idk why Justin Bieber smoking weed is a big problem, just live and let live
Person B- Must be nice living in your mom's basement

Person A- The worship of Lebron James is ridiculous since all he does is play basketball
Person B- You're only saying that because you're a nerd who sucked at sports and was never popular

Person A- Justin Bieber has a sh*tty voice, The Killers are much better
Person B- You're just jealous because you're an unpopular nerd and The Killers are also unpopular and jealous of Bieber's fame

How to retort to this? Example 1 usually happens exclusively on the Internet, but the other two happen in real life

You must be arguing with a bunch of 13 year-olds.

[elyn02]

Originally Posted by Ro2113

You must be arguing with a bunch of 13 year-olds.

LOL! Exactly.

OP, that is what happens (your reaction) when you don't know who you are talking to. If you are that surprised, maybe you should find out if people like Justin Bieber or Lebron James before you criticize them.

[jtur88]

Here's how to retort to that:

If your child is in a serious accident and in the ER, who do you want them to call to save his life? A nerd, or a running back?

[elyn02]

I have been called a nerd before but never for the reasons the OP described. In those situations, I "could" see myself responding with something like this post below if I felt the need to.

Originally Posted by jtur88

Here's how to retort to that:

If your child is in a serious accident and in the ER, who do you want them to call to save his life? A nerd, or a running back?

But this doesn't fit in the context of those conversations. I will take the OP's side that calling him a nerd is pretty lame.

OP, I would just tell those people that they are lame.

[Warszawa]

Originally Posted by Ro2113

You must be arguing with a bunch of 13 year-olds.

I've heard 55-year-old dudes use the "Nerd" comment

[Warszawa]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Here's how to retort to that:

If your child is in a serious accident and in the ER, who do you want them to call to save his life? A nerd, or a running back?

Neither: Mike Trout is the answer. Mike Trout is always the answer

[armory]

Originally Posted by Warszawa

I've heard 55-year-old dudes use the "Nerd" comment

That's because 55 year old dudes are who made the term a household word back in HS...40 years ago.
Do ya think it is an internet phenom that hatched 5 years ago?

[ukrkoz]

Originally Posted by Warszawa

I seem to run into a large amount of "nerd defense". It's when someone is arguing and then another person simply retorts with "you're a nerd"

Usually it goes like this

Person A- Honestly idk why Justin Bieber smoking weed is a big problem, just live and let live
Person B- Must be nice living in your mom's basement

Person A- The worship of Lebron James is ridiculous since all he does is play basketball
Person B- You're only saying that because you're a nerd who sucked at sports and was never popular

Person A- Justin Bieber has a sh*tty voice, The Killers are much better
Person B- You're just jealous because you're an unpopular nerd and The Killers are also unpopular and jealous of Bieber's fame

How to retort to this? Example 1 usually happens exclusively on the Internet, but the other two happen in real life

You can't. You talking to a person that has a low intellectual level and is using "red hair" argument to put someone down. If I used the right term. To diminish someone. Usually, that's when interlocuter runs out of coherent arguments, and uses "red hair" one.
Red hair tactic is basically what you describing, just different terminology, but same approach. Persons A and B have an argument. At some point, usually losing side, will say - I can't argue with person with red hair. Or a "nerd". Or "big nosed guy". Or "person of your size". Etc.
This is an evasive maneuver to discredit opponent by emphasizing some physical trait of that person.

[Ro2113]

Originally Posted by Warszawa

I've heard 55-year-old dudes use the "Nerd" comment

Well my comment still stands. Those guys might chronologically be 55 but are as mature as the common 13 year-old kid. I would like to think that adults can disagree with each other without resorting to name calling.