“Nerd culture” is not and never will be popular.

The lord of the Rings films were wildly popular, superhero films are dominating, gaming is an even bigger market than film, anime is bordering on mainstream.

What these all have in common is that they are products to be consumed. Sure these are less boring than other media products but consumption is not what defines being a nerd. Being a nerd is a mixture of social ineptitude (or indifference) and intellectual hard work. Only nerds want to do the maths.