[Nepeta]

The truth is more complicated.

I am a nerd. I have worked with many nerds. Many of them have NO interest in literature or learning anything about Western culture. They may be very good in their narrow technical specialty, and they are frequently very good people...but they are not the sort to have a conversation about history or Dickens, and it would never occur to them to listen to classical music.

This does not make them bad people. Some were never properly exposed to these things, but some just don't have the temperament for it. Where would the world be without dedicated nerds?

Most nerds are baffled by people who know next to nothing about practical matters...people who cannot read maps...people who cannot set up color-coded DVD players...

I DO read history and I DO read classics...but that is just me.

[dfwgator]

I am a nerd. I have worked with many nerds. Many of them have NO interest in literature or learning anything about Western culture.

Remember the folks that chanted 'Hey Hey Ho Ho Western Civ Has Got to Go" in the 60s.

They run the universities now.