What do Eddie Van Halen, Steve Wozniak, Quentin Tarantino, and Elon Musk have in common? Well, other than being successful men, they are all nerds. The word nerd, used in different contexts, has meant different things, so for clarity, here is a definition from the Oxford Dictionary:

Nerd: A person who is extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about a particular subject, especially one of specialist or niche interest.

Basically, nerds are people who care about a specific subject so much that they spend hours upon hours learning about it.

When you care about something so much that you spend hours on end on it, interesting things happen. With time, you gain mastery, and if there is internet content more valuable than cute cat videos, it’s videos of experts doing their thing.

In various fields, nerds have brought about creative and innovative ideas. Wozniak designed and built the first Macintosh, which became the bedrock for Jobs to build his empire. Eddie revolutionized the sound of the guitar forever with his electrifying performance and two-hand tapping. Elon’s obsession with space has driven new engineering innovations and opened opportunities for other nerds.

Nerds are the architects of the world. Tech nerds design and build the systems and devices you depend on. Music nerds make the songs you can’t help but play on repeat. Fashion nerds design the drip you admire but can’t afford. Film nerds design the worlds you escape into.

Another really cool thing about being a nerd is that if you play your cards right, your passion can pay off—not only in fulfillment but financially. Don’t believe me? Quentin Tarantino’s movies have grossed over $1.9 billion worldwide. Van Halen sold 80 million albums worldwide. Elon Musk’s ventures, along with Apple’s early success thanks to Wozniak’s machines and Jobs’ vision, have reshaped the economic landscape of our generation.

Basically, nurture the part of you that obsesses over what fascinates you. Today it’s your hobby, tomorrow it could be the next thing the world can’t live without.