When I started this newsletter 17 weeks ago, I didn't know what kind of material I would publish. I knew it needed to be nerdy. Because that’s what I am - a huge nerd.
But things happened along the way that steered this newsletter toward a different kind of writing. I started writing about how the nerdy things in our lives affect us. And perhaps, most of all, what it means to still be a nerd in my late 30s.
Life could have easily steered me toward the boring cycle: watch a movie, talk about it with a friend over the phone or at a meetup, and move on with my life. It would have been very easy to decide I don’t have time to play video games, let alone stream them.
But then, what do we become?
We become old. Boring. Too serious to play. That version of adulthood terrifies me.
I will proudly walk outside with an N7 T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Dress shoes and buttoned shirts only for “serious” events. I will proudly adorn my walls with manga posters and my shelves with hardcover fantasy books. Preferably signed, if I can help it.
I will gladly make TikToks, Reels, and YouTube videos discussing my favorite parts of games, shows, and books because I want to talk about them with people who care. I don’t want to give up on that.
And I know there are so many of you out there doing the same thing. Growing older without giving up the games, movies, shows, and stories that made us who we are.
That’s why Nerdy Adulthood exists.
It’s where I’ll write about what it means to live as a nerdy adult and, hopefully, build a place where the rest of us can find each other.
So, what changes?
The Friday issue isn’t going anywhere. Nerdy Adulthood will continue every Friday.
My essays about specific games, books, movies, and shows will live on theorencohen.com. Nerdy Adulthood is for the bigger questions about living as a nerdy adult.
Oren’s Nerdy Letter is retiring. From now on, this is Nerdy Adulthood.
And I’m still me. My website, YouTube channel, and everything else will continue under my name. And yes, I’ll still try to reply when you email me. :)
That’s all I have to say today. Thank you for being here :)
Welcome to Nerdy Adulthood!
Take care,
Oren