Did you hear the news? The folks behind Lumosity have been fined $2 million for deceptive marketing practices. Seems their ads claim their brain training had proven ability to increase brain function and ward off degenerative brain disease. Problem was they had no proof of that proven ability. You would think that a company touting its ability to increase cognitive function would know that proof is required to prove “proven” competency. Any geek can tell you that. Clearly this is a nerd-challenged company.

If any of those responsible for this marketing boo-boo are reading, please take a bit of advice from this ‘Proud to be a Nerd’ nerd. People want to be recognized for being smart. If you want to sell more subscriptions, toss in some bragging rights. How do I know? All you have to do is check the TV listings.

Suddenly, nerds are the in-crowd. Jeopardy has always been a huge hit. I remember watching Jeopardy in a bar, during happy hour, everybody shouting out questions, some even correctly. (Trivia nights continue to be a hot draw at many local watering holes.) The History Channel recently debuted a new series, The Smartest Guy in the Room. This show pits two of three everyday Joe’s (a bartender, a doorman, and a teacher’s aid against each other to solve challenges designed by the third. Did I mention that all three have IQs greater than 140 putting them in the genius range? Lifetime is resuming its series where twelve child geniuses compete for a $100,000 scholarship.

Geniuses abound in television world and they make it look so fun or exciting that we all want to be like them. Who hasn’t wanted to be Doogie Howser or Angus MacGyver (yes, he had a first name)? From the gang on The Big Bang Theory to the team at Scorpion, geniuses routinely entertain and amaze us. Clearly, being smart has some benefits.

Those Saturday mornings spent at student debates, speech competitions, science fairs, and math challenges have already increased out brain function and hopefully will ward off dementia. And without any monthly subscription fees (except for cable TV).

That’s what I think. Really. How ‘bout you?