Imitating and conforming within a group that's not considered popular doesn't really help, but it depends on the group. I just can't imagine a group of goths, and I know many, that aren't extremely elitist. Not to pick on goths. It happens with any group. Part of the bad thing about schools is that it encourages people to fit themselves into neat little groups and not interact and share ideas, or surprise, surprise, learn things from each other. That's an incredible benefit of the open source community, and to a lesser degree in college. People are much more open to ideas. They want to learn instead of thinking that they know everything. Well, before I get to into this I'll just mention that I hated school and was outcast for being smart. So much so that I dropped out after 7th grade. I'd encourage any kid with intelligence that is suffering in school to do the same. The world does not end if you don't learn the useless stuff they teach you in high school. Everyone's subconsciously thinks that because they had to suffer through it, everyone else should have to, too. "4 years of constant mockery and suffering builds character." I'd recommend reading The The Teenage Liberation Handbook or anything by John Holt to get more information.
Slashdot Mirror
Just my 2 cents.