There’s a little bit of geekiness in all of us. Who doesn’t have that one thing about which they strangely know a lot and pride themselves on being experts? Whether it’s gardening, the Harry Potter universe, or video games, it’s not such a bad thing to channel our inner Sheldon Cooper sometimes. Sure, he’s a bit socially awkward, but that doesn’t take away from his charm.
The subreddit we’re looking at today is exactly that—nerdy and a little bit challenged in the adequacy department. Its 17.6k members, or as they call themselves, delusionists, are entitled to discuss everything from Sigmund Freud to Star Wars. So without further ado, we invite you to scroll through the best that the subreddit “Delusions of Adequacy” has to offer.
#1 If You Gaze Long Enough Into An Abyss, The Abyss Completely Ignores You
Image credits: FareonMoist
#2 From Now On I Will Only Answer To Northern Thicc Chonkasaurus!
Image credits: matttomic
#3 My First Word Was ‘Actually’
Image credits: CumburgGoneburg
One must wonder what exactly “Delusions of Adequacy” means. Well, it’s an ironic variation of a previous term, “delusions of grandeur,” which is a person’s false belief about their own greatness and skills. When you think that someone has delusions of adequacy, you’re actually insulting them by saying that they’re incorrect to even think they could be competent enough to do or think of something. This definition is linked to the type of content the members of this page are sharing, like “feigned intelligentsia” and “blatant dumb-assery.”
#4 I Wish I Could Laugh In Completed Story
Image credits: FareonMoist
#5 I Refuse To Answer On The Grounds That I Will Make Me Seem Dumb!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#6 Better Question: Does The Washing Machine Need A Gender?
Image credits: FareonMoist
Their About Community tab is also quite mysterious. It’s full of cryptic sayings like “the road to adequacy leads through the dark forest of your own inadequacy” and “if you need it explained, you won’t understand, if you understand you won’t need it explained.” When it comes to some of us with below-average brains, we really need to look twice before we can figure this one out.
#7 Look At Those Fancy Dogs, Thinking They Can Snowboard!
Image credits: ChefRonSullivan
#8 Mind The Slip ‘N Slide
Image credits: FareonMoist
#9 Tell Me I’m Pretty!
Image credits: FareonMoist
However, in a previous interview for Bored Panda (which you can find here), the creator behind this subreddit explained that sometimes he’s confusing on purpose. Those who understand his kind of humor will get it, and those who don’t will never be able to, no matter how much he tries to explain. By being intentionally puzzling, he hopes to encourage people to try and think their way into adequacy (hence the name) and minimize the number of fellows who think they’re smarter than everyone but actually are quite dimwitted.
#10 I’m The Best At Interrupting, They Call Me Interrupty The Interruptor
Image credits: FareonMoist
#11 That’s What Vacations Are For!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#12 When You Condition The Dog, Beware That You Do Not Also Condition Yourself!
Image credits: gamespite
Not so long ago, being a nerd like that wasn’t cool. Hobbies such as reading comic books, obsessing over Star Wars, and spending hours at the arcade could’ve gotten you easily teased or bullied, to the point that many kept them to themselves. Imagine it being lame to like Marvel or Call of Duty, especially now when the hidden aspects of nerd culture have made it into the mainstream for everyone to enjoy. Currently, science fiction shows are popular, people crowd comic conventions, and our new heroes are the Michael Ceras and Andrew Garfields.
#13 Needs Vary, Some Say Pinterest Risotto, Others Say Pinterest O-Face, They’re Both Good
Image credits: InterroMOM
#14 Be Nice, Don’t Be Like Me
Image credits: joynessthebrave
#15 If I Didn’t Limit My Book-Buying By My Book-Reading, I’d Need A Bigger Apartment
Image credits: theartsyreader1
The question is, how and why now? The internet has been a game-changer and those who couldn’t keep up with it risked being left behind. Geeks, armed with in-depth knowledge, passions, and skills, were able to quickly adapt to the new technological advancements. In the 1990s, when Silicon Valley, a high-tech industry, started to bloom, faces like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs became huge successes. They changed the way nerds were seen in the media, with a quote floating around that encouraged people to be nice to them because chances are they’ll end up working for one.
#16 I Ate’nt Dead
Image credits: FareonMoist
#17 The Key To Escaping Reality Isn’t Corners, It’s Books… But However You Do It, Just Kee Latibulating
Image credits: FareonMoist
#18 Mr Mittens Is Hungry, Feed Mr Mittens Or Suffer The Conequences!
Image credits: sad3thoughts
It was also a time of fantasy and science fiction, both previously labeled as nerd territory. Releases like Harry Potter, The Matrix, and The Lord of the Rings broke the geek culture wall. Before that, as a comic-loving moviegoer, the best you could expect was an action movie about The Blade or The Punisher. During the ’90s, actors who played nerdy roles were now seen portraying more muscular and tough characters. As a result, the film stars started to flaunt their nerdiness rather than hide it. Now most of us wish we could be Iron Man – a superhero who started off as a geeky engineer.
#19 Everything Sucks And Then You Die
Image credits: FareonMoist
#20 It’s Finally The Season Of X-Mas Dissing, A.k.a December
Image credits: FareonMoist
#21 I Promise, I’m Not Getting A Snack, And If I Do, I’ll Bring You One Too!
Image credits: AlisonAgosti
A rise in video game popularity also contributed to the nerdy shift. In the ’80s, they were still pretty niche, with not a lot of people wanting to play. Not to mention the video game industry crashing down due to the oversaturation of low-quality gadgets. But Nintendo handled this by releasing a new video game console marketed as a children’s toy. The sales skyrocketed, and the success led to the creation of iconic franchises like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda. Afterward, the appearance of online games and Millennials matured this hobby and proved gaming to be an enjoyable pastime for adults or even a career.
#22 These Are Not The Heroes You’re Looking For
Image credits: FareonMoist
#23 A Quick Guide To How Monopolies Work, They Don’t, But You Don’t Have Any Other Choice!
Image credits: ellewasamistake
#24 That’s The Dream! All I’m Good For Is Making Stuff Up That Sounds Credible
Image credits: belisledesigns
There’s no need for modern-day nerds to be hiding in the shadows anymore. Now they’re represented as intelligent, interesting, respectful, and very successful people. Don’t get us wrong; they’re still seen as a bit socially awkward, but in a positive and adorable way. Don’t get us wrong; they’re still seen as a bit socially awkward but in a positive and adorable way. People passionate about their hobbies proudly label themselves as all types of nerds – book nerds, food nerds, gaming nerds, science nerds, etc.
#25 Come On, If You Don’t Laugh, It Just Seems Mean
Image credits: 97Vercetti
#26 More Specifically, It’s The Greed And Stupidity Of Those Who Pretend To Be Leaders
Image credits: FareonMoist
#27 Bohemian Rhapsody May Be The Greatest Song Ever, I Will Keep Saying So As It Lures Me Ever Closer To My Death
Image credits: FareonMoist
It’s quite troubling that it took us so long to accept dorky culture, but all that matters is that we’re here. We’re finally at a place where we can share our excessive hobbies and passions with the rest of the world. For more on all things dweeb, make sure to check out our earlier publication here.
#28 Good Times Were Had By All!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#29 I Don’t Want To Brag, But The Things I Do Are All Useless
Image credits: FareonMoist
#30 Can’t Argue With Flawless Logic
Image credits: FareonMoist
#31 Thanks Fortune Cookie, I Needed To Hear That Today!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#32 Thanks Buddha! I’m Going To Poison So Many People!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#33 Not Everything Is Bad All The Time, Just Most Things
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#34 Having Money Makes Poison Less Poisonous, Final Answer!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#35 I Like To Think Of Actually Cleaning As Something That Only Applies To Others
Image credits: FareonMoist
#36 I Was Never The Child Reader, But I’m Definitely The Adult Version
Image credits: FareonMoist
#37 I Hate All Reality TV On Principle, But I Would Watch The Hell Out Of This!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#38 I Have Found The Only Acceptable Use For A.i And Only Because Taking Babies Skydiving Is Frowned Upon
Image credits: FareonMoist
#39 Unsure If This Is Real, Or If Asparagus Is Trying To Prank Me Again, I’ve Been Burned Before
Image credits: FareonMoist
#40 Whatever Your Reason, I Support You. Personally, I’m A Non-Practising Vegetarian
Image credits: FareonMoist
#41 I Was There 3000 Years Ago, When The Simpsons Was Considered Funny
Image credits: FareonMoist
#42 Heckin’ Gates Of Hell
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#43 You Should At Least Give Him A Kiss After He Cleans, It’s Only Polite
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#44 If I Was The Interviewer, I’d Definitely Hire Him, Everyone Needs A Good Boy On The Team!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#45 Swords Are Too Easy, That’s Why I Prefer An Axe!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#46 If You’re Looking For A New Christmas Classic, Death Plays The Ultimate Version Of Santa
Image credits: FareonMoist
#47 Yeah Yeah, Come On Universe, Tell Me Something I Don’t Know!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#48 If I Could Be Anything, I’d Like To Be A Clown Bastard!
Image credits: mopeyinrocks
#49 I Never Claimed I Was Good At Acting Nice!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#50 Not All Who Meme Are Lost
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#51 Or You Can Do What I Do, Go Home And Cry, Which Coincidentally Is What Boromir Should Have Done
Image credits: FareonMoist
#52 Puntastic!
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#53 Thanks, I Hate Punctuation, And It Hates Me Too
Image credits: FareonMoist
#54 I Could Listen To Kids Dinosplaining All Day, I Don’t Give A Shit About Your Sensibilities
Image credits: deloisivete
#55 Thanks, I Hate How Accurate This Is
Image credits: AbbieEvansXO
#56 Ah, To Be Young And Filthy In War-Time! Also, Don’t Read Other People’s Mail!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#57 I Don’t Remember Any Of These, But I Figured Out Nr. 6 On My Own
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#58 And That Kids Is Why You Should Write What You’d Want To Read!
Image credits: bradfordpearson
#59 Pyjamas, The Best Part Of Working From Home, And If You’re Brave Enough, The Best Part Of Not Working From Home
Image credits: FareonMoist
#60 I Thought Maybe They Were Cold!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#61 Yes Please, I Too Would Like To Try Feeling Like A Brand New Woman!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#62 Yup, I Always Knew There Was Something About Dune That Bugged Me!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#63 I Hate You So Much I’m Going To Write A Poem About You? Sounds Like Love To Me
Image credits: FareonMoist
#64 Also, Paddington 2 Is A Great Movie, In Case Anyone’s Wondering
Image credits: FareonMoist
#65 The Only Correct Response To Golf, Mini Or Otherwise, Is ‘Eww, Golf!’
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#66 Were We All The Monsters All Along? Short Answer: Yes
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#67 Sounds Fair To Me
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#68 Will The Real Trolley Problem Please Stand Up
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#69 If You’re A Motivational Speaker Our Policy Is We Hate You!
Image credits: FareonMoist
#70 I Can’t Say It’s Not Tempting Xd
Image credits: FareonMoist