[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Long essay, but he actually has some pretty insightful things to say about how our society deals with teenagers and the educational system.

[cripplecreek]

Nerds are unpopular?

[JamesP81]

bump for later

[Phantom Lord]

Be nice to the nerds. Chances are, one day you will work for one.

[2banana]

I am a 6'3”, 225 lbs, combat vet and....a nerd.

[Tijeras_Slim]

This dude thinks too much.

[gridlock]

Because they wind up making all the money and getting all the hot chicks.

[Righter-than-Rush]

Wait until that nerd masters futures trading, retires at 28 and shows up at his 10th reunion. Watch the women swoon the nerd...

[CholeraJoe]

I went to 2 different high schools and was the smartest boy at both. I got beat up lots. The only people I was popular with were jocks and cheerleaders, but only when it was time for them to study for a test. I certainly couldn’t get dates from my own class, so I usually had to look one or even two grades lower.

Fast forward four years, I suddenly got real popular, when everyone realized that I was going to have a big paying job upon graduation.

[wintertime]

And that's why smart people's lives are worst between, say, the ages of eleven and seventeen. Life at that age revolves far more around popularity than before or after.

Homeschoolers aren't having these worries.

It is only worse between the ages of 11 and 17 because segregating children into same aged packs, treating them like prisoners, marching them about to the sound of Pavlov's Bells is and UTTERLY AND COMPLETELY UNNATURAL WAY TO TREAT CHILDREN! ( Yes, I am shouting.)

[wintertime]

And that's why smart people's lives are worst between, say, the ages of eleven and seventeen. Life at that age revolves far more around popularity than before or after.

Homeschoolers aren't having these worries.

It is only worse between the ages of 11 and 17 because segregating children into same aged packs, treating them like prisoners, marching them about to the sound of Pavlov's Bells is and UTTERLY AND COMPLETELY UNNATURAL WAY TO TREAT CHILDREN! ( Yes, I am shouting.)

[roadcat]

I was a nerd. In junior high (middle school), I'd get tripped by the jocks while running to classes, spilling my books on the ground while they laughed. One time they jammed gum into my hair and the P.E. coach had to cut it out with scissors. Another time, my head was banged into a drinking faucet in the hallway, chipping a tooth. I spent time after school playing chess with other nerds, or at the public library.

In high school, things got better. The jocks asked for my help to pass their classes, so I tutored them in math and science and they showed me how to work on engines and other stuff. Some years later after becoming an engineer, I ran into some of them. I was driving new cars and had nice suits, while they were stuck in dead-end jobs and broke.

Karma... Life is sweet now. My wife and I retired in our early 50's. Those jock jerks are still broke and will have to work until they die to survive.

[wintertime]

For example, teenage kids pay a great deal of attention to clothes. They don't consciously dress to be popular. They dress to look good. But to who? To the other kids.

Kids dress so they can gain admission to the government school protection gang.

Cliques ( or tables A,B,C, or E) are protection gangs. They serve the same purpose as protection gangs in prison. If you treat kids like prisoners, no one should be surprised that they act like prisoners.

[neodad]

I would hazard a guess that a significant majority of this forum would fall into the “nerd” catagory.

[yarddog]

I think I have read this before and it does seem reasonable but I think there is another reason for popularity. (I actually didn't read the entire article again so I hope I don't mis characterize anything)

I remember a girl I met many years ago. She absolutely fascinated me. I have never seen anyone attract boys like she did and also make friends with other girls so easily. I was not the only person to notice and discussed her with others.

I think it is all the common things such as looks, personality, and unlike the author's opinion, intelligence.

I really do think that in addition to these qualities, some people simply have a genetic ability which might be characterized as many things but probably charisma is the closest word to describing it but still is not exactly it. I did notice that she was a cheerleader, prom queen, homecoming queen, etc. but the one thing which got my attention was she was named "sweetest".

[Rammer]

ping

[stevem]

Bump for later.

[Rebelbase]

Stop bashing nerds or I'll call the Wizard!

[xtinct]

Tale of the Ultimate Nerd

age 14, 5'10", 120 lbs, natural long blonde hair
shunned by the other girls in the 9th grade
photo appeared in Seventeen Magazine 1964 as part of a group of girls known as the Fashion Board. Offered a contract from Ford Modeling Agency in New York City which parents resoundingly rejected.

After instant popularity, I remained with my two best friends throughout high school.

We're still friends today after all those years.

Short-term fame was a result of the head of the fashion department spotting me at Baily's Ice Cream counter in Boston. She immediately contacted my mother. And, with permission, I modeled for the store's fashion shows at $5 - $10 an hour. In store, I was the White Stage sportwear girl.

At home and with friends, I was just me... one of 7 children who had to do homework and chores... :o)

[Ukiapah Heep]

I prefer to refer to us as Deltas.

[Just another Joe]

At least a nerd can be big enough that they don't get beaten constantly.

When you're 4'9'' and 95 lbs soaking wet going into High School, you're a walking punching bag.
I speak from experience.