Nerd sniping
Nerd sniping is a slang term for the action of giving an interesting problem to a person (usually a nerd), thereby consuming all their attention until the problem is solved. It was coined by xkcd author Randall Munroe in the 356th comic of the series on 12 December 2007.[1]
Definition[edit]
Techopedia on November 12, 2020 said:
Nerd sniping is a slang term that describes a particularly interesting problem that is presented to a nerd, often a physicist, tech geek or mathematician.
The nerd stops all activity to devote attention to solving the problem, often at his or her own peril.[2]
It's also been used in the context of employers understanding neurodivergent employees with ADHD:
[ADHD] often produces the ability to 'hyperfocus', a kind of Godzilla attention laser beam that you can train on a complex task, which you won't let go of until it's done to an absurdly high standard. A legit superpower. But moving between tasks when you're in a hyperfocused state? Very hard. The nerd sniping risk is real.[3]
In popular culture[edit]
Beyond science, technology and mathematics, the media agency Colle McVoy published 21 episodes of podcast between 2019 and 2021 called "Nerd Sniped" - "A podcast dedicated to chasing down the curious questions and challenges brands face today"[4][5]
References[edit]
- ^ "Nerd Sniping". Xkcd.com. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
- ^ "What is Nerd Sniping? - Definition from Techopedia". Techopedia.com. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
- ^ "Neurodivergent employees: Don't let employers take you for granted". Money Marketing. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
- ^ "NerdSniped". Nerdsniped.fm. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
- ^ "NerdSniped on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2022-01-04.