--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was basically a dork that hit the books…" description: "\"I was basically a dork that hit the books and liked to build things and did all of the things that you weren't supposed to do to be popular. But someho..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a66/tom-scholz-11209_basically_i-was-basically-a-dork-that-hit-the-book_3139089.png" --- # I was basically a dork that hit the books and liked to… ![“I was basically a dork that hit the books and liked to build things and did all of the things that you weren't supposed to do to be popular. But somehow I ended up onstage, playing guitar in front of everybody else.” quote by Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a66/tom-scholz-11209_basically_i-was-basically-a-dork-that-hit-the-book_3139089.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a66/tom-scholz-11209_basically_i-was-basically-a-dork-that-hit-the-book_3139089.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a66/tom-scholz-11209_basically_i-was-basically-a-dork-that-hit-the-book_3139089.png) > “I was basically a dork that hit the books and liked to build things and did all of the things that you weren't supposed to do to be popular. But somehow I ended up onstage, playing guitar in front of everybody else.” [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A self‑identified outsider who pursued passions despite social expectations, eventually finding a stage to share his talent. **In simple terms:** Being a dork and building things led to unexpected performance opportunities. Key Takeaway Embrace your quirks; they can become strengths. Themes nonconformity creativity confidence growth Mood inspirational encouraging Type advice personal growth When to use this quote - overcoming peer pressure - pursuing hobbies - public performance Key Concepts self‑acceptance career development artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - What passions have you hidden? - How can you turn perceived flaws into assets? A Different Perspective Being a dork may limit social acceptance early on. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Dork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dork/) [Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Playing guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-guitar/) ## Related quotes > [I can't tell you how many times I've had a friend tell me, in this tender and discreet voice, 'It's just you and me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-can-t-tell-you-how-many-times-i-ve-had-a-friend-tell-me-in-this/) [Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/) > [The first time I tried to sing along with my guitar, everybody in the studio booed. They all said it wouldn't work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-benson/the-first-time-i-tried-to-sing-along-with-my-guitar-everybody-in-the/) [George Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-benson/) > [I have made stage adjustments which allow me to hear myself better onstage so that has made playing live much more enjoyable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-schenker/i-have-made-stage-adjustments-which-allow-me-to-hear-myself-better/) [Michael Schenker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-schenker/) > [Think about being onstage playing these songs. I'm opening my personal life up to all these people. But I just can't get attached. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-kanal/think-about-being-onstage-playing-these-songs-i-m-opening-my-personal/) [Tony Kanal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-kanal/) > [Every album, I'm worried that I'm a dork and a fraud - 'What if I can't sing anymore?' Then I stop thinking and start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pink/every-album-i-m-worried-that-i-m-a-dork-and-a-fraud-what-if-i-can-t/) [Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pink/) > [Im a huge fan of Joe Walsh and a big James Gang fan. A lot of what I know about playing the guitar I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/im-a-huge-fan-of-joe-walsh-and-a-big-james-gang-fan-a-lot-of-what-i/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [“its a dork fish”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-engvall/its-a-dork-fish/) [Bill Engvall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-engvall/) > [So, thanks,” Vivian said. “For what?” I looked up at her, confused. “For being stupid enough to love your crazy, murdering lunatic of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/so-thanks-vivian-said-for-what-i-looked-up-at-her-confused-for-being/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [I love college. I know I sound like a dork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-dziena/i-love-college-i-know-i-sound-like-a-dork/) Alexis Dziena > [Human behavior is so intriguing. I find myself giving thumbs up signs all the time. I know I look like an absolute dork, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-heche/human-behavior-is-so-intriguing-i-find-myself-giving-thumbs-up-signs/) [Anne Heche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-heche/) > [“Conviction without sight is a consequence of religious magnanimity, but in reality, it is the dork's apparel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeru-chize-ryan-ogunkah/conviction-without-sight-is-a-consequence-of-religious-magnanimity/) Zeru (Chize) Ryan Ogunkah > [I was the dork in high school who sang musical numbers up and down the hallways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-adams/i-was-the-dork-in-high-school-who-sang-musical-numbers-up-and-down/) [Amy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-adams/) > [People think I'm cool - it's a virtue of my job! In real life I'm absolutely not cool, but I think if you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shura/people-think-i-m-cool-it-s-a-virtue-of-my-job-in-real-life-i-m/) Shura > [Colin thought about the dork mantra: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. What a dirty lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/colin-thought-about-the-dork-mantra-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I am a dork in disguise; I love doing stupid stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-j/i-am-a-dork-in-disguise-i-love-doing-stupid-stuff/) [Jessie J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-j/) ## More by Tom Scholz > [We need a free media, not just freedom of speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/we-need-a-free-media-not-just-freedom-of-speech/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I don't like the idea of having to reproduce a recorded song live that I sing. I have enough to do on stage. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-don-t-like-the-idea-of-having-to-reproduce-a-recorded-song-live/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [Virtually every magazine, newspaper, TV station and cable channel is owned by a big corporation, and they've squashed stories that they don't want the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/virtually-every-magazine-newspaper-tv-station-and-cable-channel-is/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I'm certainly aware of the fans. I'm always hoping that what I'm doing is something they'll like, because I do appreciate them. But, no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-m-certainly-aware-of-the-fans-i-m-always-hoping-that-what-i-m-doing/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I'm a total rink rat. I can do the toe loop, the lutz, a flip, and the Scholz. That's one I invented. It's like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-m-a-total-rink-rat-i-can-do-the-toe-loop-the-lutz-a-flip-and-the/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I don't work out a lead section and practice it for a day and then lay it down. I don't do that. The first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-don-t-work-out-a-lead-section-and-practice-it-for-a-day-and-then/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I'm going to say this as an ethereal effect, not something that people are necessarily aware of while it's happening, but my theory is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-m-going-to-say-this-as-an-ethereal-effect-not-something-that-people/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [Music is an escape for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/music-is-an-escape-for-me/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I played in a couple of really crummy bands, including one in the dorm I was in at MIT, for a year or two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-played-in-a-couple-of-really-crummy-bands-including-one-in-the-dorm/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I didn't touch a guitar until I was 20.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-didn-t-touch-a-guitar-until-i-was-20/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [The public has been sold a bill of goods about the free market being a panacea for mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/the-public-has-been-sold-a-bill-of-goods-about-the-free-market-being/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I'm never too ambitious when I go into the studio. I always know that I'm just going into the studio to work on or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-m-never-too-ambitious-when-i-go-into-the-studio-i-always-know-that/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [If things aren't going well, music is what I turn to so I can get away from it, to take my mind somewhere else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/if-things-aren-t-going-well-music-is-what-i-turn-to-so-i-can-get-away/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [I was a fixer, a builder - an inventor - ever since I can remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/i-was-a-fixer-a-builder-an-inventor-ever-since-i-can-remember/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) > [There aren't a lot of cover bands that do Boston material or do it well, and the reason for that is that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-scholz/there-aren-t-a-lot-of-cover-bands-that-do-boston-material-or-do-it/) [Tom Scholz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) [Explore all 61 Tom Scholz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-scholz/) ## More Basically quotes > [When I graduated from Brown, I had a very limited conception of jobs, careers, and what I wanted to do. Basically, I figured I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/when-i-graduated-from-brown-i-had-a-very-limited-conception-of-jobs/) [Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/) > [You basically have a group of four spies who are chosen for a mission they feel for the fact of how competent they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-leblanc/you-basically-have-a-group-of-four-spies-who-are-chosen-for-a-mission/) [Matt LeBlanc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-leblanc/) > [I think we should have basically the same tax policy that Germany, Japan, the U.K., everybody else has, which is a tax rate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-immelt/i-think-we-should-have-basically-the-same-tax-policy-that-germany/) [Jeffrey R. 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Basically, everyone's equal, but you, my children, are a bit better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/my-mum-was-labour-voting-but-wanted-us-to-know-we-were-important/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [When I heard that the bees were in trouble, the fact that they're disappearing and not coming back to the hive, which is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-schwartzberg/when-i-heard-that-the-bees-were-in-trouble-the-fact-that-they-re/) [Louie Schwartzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-schwartzberg/) > [It would be amazing if we were just basically judged on the merits of what we do, but we're not. That's not part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aspen-ladd/it-would-be-amazing-if-we-were-just-basically-judged-on-the-merits-of/) [Aspen Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aspen-ladd/) > [In my own case, I'm an artist, and I'm really interested in expanding the vocabulary of human action, and basically empowering people through interactivity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golan-levin/in-my-own-case-i-m-an-artist-and-i-m-really-interested-in-expanding/) [Golan Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golan-levin/) > [Civilian law around aviation is much looser than those governing military. Civilian planes can basically fly wherever they want in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-paglen/civilian-law-around-aviation-is-much-looser-than-those-governing/) [Trevor Paglen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-paglen/) > [Nuclear DNA encodes all the proteins and enzymes that make you you, basically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrik-poinar/nuclear-dna-encodes-all-the-proteins-and-enzymes-that-make-you-you/) [Hendrik Poinar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrik-poinar/) > [“I basically have nothing to offer to others. If you think about it, I don’t even have anything to offer myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-basically-have-nothing-to-offer-to-others-if-you-think-about-it-i/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I have been performing in the street for more than 50 years: magic for basically 60 years, and the high wire 45 years. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/i-have-been-performing-in-the-street-for-more-than-50-years-magic-for/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [Basically, I listen to voices. If they write good songs and they can sing, I'll probably like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/india-arie/basically-i-listen-to-voices-if-they-write-good-songs-and-they-can/) [India Arie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/india-arie/) > [There's something about the air and the sky and the atmosphere in the South of France that must be very conducive to work, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-collins/there-s-something-about-the-air-and-the-sky-and-the-atmosphere-in-the/) [Joan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-collins/) Browse all 1,129 Basically quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was basically a dork that hit the books and liked to build things and did all of the things that you weren't supposed to do to be popular. 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