I did a search on the question of "Fake Nerds" on a video site and discovered that the question of a nerd being genuine or fake was very popular in 2012.
Then...
It died out and disappeared.
People will always get wiser and eventually stop asking dumb questions or abandon silly "witch hunt" quests.
BUT
Why was the question popular only in 2012?
Is this a case of public awareness and social norms altering to accept better behaviour?
Or is it a device employed to gain something somehow?
The question could have easily been popular any year.
Why should that question be popularly specific to 2012?

I ask the game community this question.
I also ask any one's thoughts or opinions on this matter.
It is too funny of an idea to pass up a conversation on this matter.
Does a "Nerd" need Proof?
If so.
Then to who?
and
Why?

Just a thought.
Good Luck.
Peace.

I would have to guess it has something to do with the hipsters. Around that time (from what I have seen) to now, the hipsters have been dressing nerdy and playing Pokemon, and stuff of the sort. That is the only thing I can think of.

  I usually can't handle people who need to identify themselves to me as a "nerd".
Or anything for that matter.
Unless it is your job.
"I'm a Dentist."
But if somebody walks up to me and says,
"Hey, my name is So-and-So and I'm a nerd."
Then I usually don't talk to them much after that.