I am a nerd，a big one。There are nerds that can hack into online grade books，nerds that speak Elvish and Klingon，and of course the archetypal nerds that wear pocket protectors and always manage to bump into things。I am the most organic form of a nerd，one that is simply fascinated by knowledge。
For example，watching the Discovery channel often triggers me to go through phases of frenetic researching of random topics，like the life cycle of slim molds or the traveling head of Oliver Cromwell。The librarian offered me a summer job because I visit the library so often。When I open a can of soda，I cannot stop myself from picturing molecules of carbon dioxide happily rising out of the sugar solution due to a decrease in pressure。“Um，I wonder，if I drink soda，will my stomach lining absorb the carbon dioxide？That could decrease my blood pH……”Sorry，nerds tend get side-tracked。For instance，last year during spring break，deciding to have a blissful day in downtown Milwaukee，I called up my friends，and after much consideration，we went to the public museum。While other visitors“oohed”and“ahhed”at one exhibit，we had a delightful debate about whether the physical or the cultural adaptations had more contributions in the evolution of hominids。
I am a nerd，but I’m not the kind that is only about books。Much knowledge comes in the form of experiences。That is why I’m never afraid to try new things like the psychotic sport of Cross Country，or starting a senior portrait photography business。Many things must be learned by doing。Knowledge is also enclosed in people。That is why I have not gone to the dark side of hermit nerds。People have knowledge that can’t be transcribed on paper。Through conversations with friends，my great-grandfather，teachers，and even the random guy at the bus stop，I have learned。Everything I do centers around learning because knowledge is the spark in my life。Since I am a nerd，college is not just the logical choice after high school。For me，college is new people，fresh experiences，learning in bulk，and thirst for knowledge fulfilled，just happens to have the right combination of traits to satisfy the great appetite of a big nerd。
译文：我是个“一根筋”
我是个“一根筋”，而且是比较固执的那种。有的“一根筋”学生成为了执著的“黑客”，他们能侵入学校的电脑系统，甚至能篡改自己的分数；有的“一根筋”能学会近乎绝迹的艾威希语和克林贡语；典型的“一根筋”会穿不入时的衣饰，并时刻准备处理自找的麻烦。相比较而言，我是个自然型的“一根筋”，很容易被各种知识吸引而着迷。
举例来说吧，电视频道中我比较喜欢《探索》，《探索》频道每天都有不同的精彩题目。这些题目常常引发我去做进一步探讨，比如粘菌（有点像蘑菇似的菌类）的生命周期或者流浪的克伦威尔之首①（译者注）；等等。于是乎我就成了图书馆的常客。因为我有空就喜欢到图书馆，那里的工作人员都和我熟识了，我还因此得到了一份暑假在图书馆短期工作的机会。打开一听苏打水，我就禁不住浮想联翩：哦，压力一减小那些溶于糖水的二氧化碳气体分子们就乐呵呵地奔出水面了。我还在想：我喝苏打水时那些二氧化碳分子会不会被我的肠胃吸收？或许它们还会降低我血液的pH值……唉，“一根筋”有时还会把事情搞偏。去年，我想利用春假的时间去密尔沃基市区玩。我叫了几个朋友，并做了周密的安排，然后一同去了市立博物馆，本意是想好好参观馆藏品。博物馆里的游客都被丰富的藏品感染，时不时发出“噢”、“哈”的赞叹声。可我们呢，居然由某件展品引发了辩论：到底是什么对人类进化产生了更大的作用，身体适应性？又或是文化适应性？
我是“一根筋”，但不是书呆子。许多认知来源于经历，因此我无惧于参加不太为人喜欢的越野跑；我还为同学做高级肖像摄影师；等等。许多知识还来源于实践和人物。基于这个认识，我从来不会一条道走到黑，我也不是那种把自己封闭起来、不和人交往的“一根筋”。有一种知识，它不是写在纸上而是存在于人的头脑里。所以通过与人交谈，从同学、我的外曾祖父、老师，甚至汽车站等车时邂逅的陌生人那里都能学到东西。我渴求知识，它使我生活充满激情。因为我是个“一根筋”，上大学不见得是我高中毕业后的必然选择。对我来说，大学意味着新同学、新老师和新体验。对我这个胃口很大的“一根筋”来说，大学无疑是一个能满足我的乐园。
