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Why Nerds Are Unpopular
Paul Graham.com ^
| Feb 2003
| Paul Graham
Posted on 06/02/2008 1:55:29 PM PDT by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
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To: 2banana
I saw a bumper sticker once that said something like:
“Your star athlete will work for my honor student.” I have seen many variations.
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
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.
22
posted on
06/02/2008 2:17:58 PM PDT
by
roadcat
To: cripplecreek
Nerds are unpopular? Alas in the fullness of time jocks learn to love nerds and the maniacal weapons systems they create for them to use.
23
posted on
06/02/2008 2:18:34 PM PDT
by
usurper
(Spelling or grammatical errors in this post can be attributed to the LA City School System)
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
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.
24
posted on
06/02/2008 2:19:03 PM PDT
by
wintertime
(Good ideas win! Why? Because people are not stupid.)
To: 2banana
I am a 6'3, 225 lbs, combat vet and....a nerd. ... 6'1, 240 lbs, former Marine, combat vet and....a nerd as well.
25
posted on
06/02/2008 2:20:03 PM PDT
by
Centurion2000
(Party ahead of principles; eventually you'll be selling out anything to anyone for the right price.)
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
I would hazard a guess that a significant majority of this forum would fall into the “nerd” catagory.
26
posted on
06/02/2008 2:20:55 PM PDT
by
neodad
(USS Vincennes (CG 49) "Checkmate Cruiser")
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
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".
27
posted on
06/02/2008 2:21:25 PM PDT
by
yarddog
To: cripplecreek
28
posted on
06/02/2008 2:24:52 PM PDT
by
lesser_satan
(Cthulu '08! Why vote for the lesser evil?)
To: cripplecreek
Nerds are unpopular?Yes. . .until they graduate from college and get all the high paying jobs, while the people that were popular in high school are still delivering pizzas. ;)
29
posted on
06/02/2008 2:25:38 PM PDT
by
MEGoody
(Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall cause you to vote against the Democrats.)
To: Rammer
30
posted on
06/02/2008 2:28:49 PM PDT
by
Rammer
To: cripplecreek
As long as there are three people left in the world there will be an A group, a B group and C group, we’re social animals that organize ourselves into hierarchies, we can't help it. Teenagers lack experience and don't yet know how to value themselves and haven't had time to break the code which is simply relax, don't play someone else's game and let the game come to you, which is the definition of cool.
To: roadcat
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.Maybe, but look at it this way: hot young chicks didn't want anything to do with you when you were young....and they still don't.
If us nerds had been magically given the choice in Jr and Sr high of being the popular football captain who dates the cutest cheerleader, but in our 50's would have to trade places with those kinds of guys who are broke now, we'd have jumped at it!
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
33
posted on
06/02/2008 2:30:19 PM PDT
by
stevem
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
Stop bashing nerds or I'll call the Wizard!
34
posted on
06/02/2008 2:34:37 PM PDT
by
Rebelbase
(McCain: The Third Bush Term ?)
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
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)
35
posted on
06/02/2008 2:36:04 PM PDT
by
xtinct
(I was the next door neighbor kid's imaginary friend.)
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
I prefer to refer to us as Deltas.
36
posted on
06/02/2008 2:36:17 PM PDT
by
Ukiapah Heep
(Shoes for Industry!)
To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
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.
37
posted on
06/02/2008 2:36:50 PM PDT
by
Just another Joe
(Warning: FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)
To: Knitebane
Then after mommy cuts a deal for you to sell your product to IBM and daddy writes up the contract for you, yeah, then you get the big bucks.You are correct about Bill Gates. While I don't begrudge him his fortune, he was born very well connected. It's not as if he was the illegitimate son of a 3rd shift convenience store clerk and a Somali wet nurse.
38
posted on
06/02/2008 2:39:43 PM PDT
by
E. Cartman
(Better to have your enemy before you than beside you or behind you.)
To: mikeus_maximus
If us nerds had been magically given the choice in Jr and Sr high of being the popular football captain who dates the cutest cheerleader, but in our 50's would have to trade places with those kinds of guys who are broke now, we'd have jumped at it! True, I probably would! However, one of my fondest memories of high school is when the cute tall leggy blond girlfriend of a jock seduced me. He let me go over to her house because he thought I was helping her with the books. Or so we thought. Turns out she was a nympho. The boyfriend never found out, which was good because he was a black belt karate dude.
39
posted on
06/02/2008 2:42:20 PM PDT
by
roadcat
To: gridlock
Let’s see those hot chicks!
40
posted on
06/02/2008 2:42:40 PM PDT
by
Revolting cat!
(Are you ready to pray for Teddy?)
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