OK, I've been a supernerd all my life. For the majority of Elementary School/Junior High, I was the brainy, chubby, smelly FOB kid (fresh off the boat). But at the end of Junior High I finally started maturing physically and getting thinner and more in shape, and my interest in sports grew. I was known as an asshole in eigth grade by my present friends, and they don't hesitate to tell me such.
The problem with the geek mentality is a matter of perception. Self-professed non-conformists often view themselves as superior to conformists, the sheep of the flock, but due to their views, the non-conformists view themselves as outcasts. This was definately my view of myself in eigth grade, having little self-esteem. I had a major superiority complex, viewing the dumber but more popular people as being future employers of Burger King (no offense, I love Whoppers).
During the 9th grade, I started exercising (ack, I could never spell that word) because I started getting interested in the local pro sports franchises. I was still chubby, but after awhile I was less tired throughout the day and was in better spirits. I started smiling more, even to those less-intelligent people. Pretty soon, I had some understanding friends.
Even now, while I play Starcraft:Brood War, Civ2, and video game RPGs incessantly, and take heavy interest in academics, and read novels (finished all of crichton's books, read a lot of dragonlance, some clancy and grisham) and spend a lot of time online, people accept me. There are those at school who think they're better than everyone, but those people are the ones branded as stuck-up assholes/hoes.
Self-professed geeks (myself included) need to lighten up and enjoy life a bit, maybe try some aspects of conformity rather than totally scorn all establishment values. After all, exercise (damn that word!) helps you live longer. And try to keep that superiority complex under control; I think I've established a third-person personality that talks to my brain about how others would view me. It's no use to act like an ass to those who treat you like an ass, you just sink to their level.
Society itself needs to be more understanding. Perhaps I have been lucky enough to go to a school where our football team hasn't had a winning season in 40-odd years, and badminton is the dominant sport. Teachers, especially English teachers, encourage understanding and individualism/self-expression. Cliques are non-existant, except for those who choose to isolate themselves from everyone else (druggies mostly, also the racial hate-types). Coolness is a matter of perception and understanding.
A complete genius goes to my school. He has long hair, dresses in sweats, has a zit-pocketed face, and is one of the most eccentric people I know. Before this year, I thought he was a complete psycho. Well, after a year in Computer Science AP (just flunked the test) I found out he was a complete psycho, but everyone in the class enjoyed his presence and off-beat antics.
Another genius is in my Computer Science class. This guy is quiet, studious, and shy. When people tease him (the typical someone-likes-someone thing) he snaps at them. Needless to say, he isn't very while liked, even though if you speak to him on a personal basis he's a very nice guy.
It's not just society and the establishment that needs to rethink their values; supernerds and non-conformists need to also think of what they value.
As for me, I'll hang with both my supergenius and future burger-flipping friends.
Slashdot Mirror
OK, I've been a supernerd all my life. For the majority of Elementary School/Junior High, I was the brainy, chubby, smelly FOB kid (fresh off the boat). But at the end of Junior High I finally started maturing physically and getting thinner and more in shape, and my interest in sports grew. I was known as an asshole in eigth grade by my present friends, and they don't hesitate to tell me such.
The problem with the geek mentality is a matter of perception. Self-professed non-conformists often view themselves as superior to conformists, the sheep of the flock, but due to their views, the non-conformists view themselves as outcasts. This was definately my view of myself in eigth grade, having little self-esteem. I had a major superiority complex, viewing the dumber but more popular people as being future employers of Burger King (no offense, I love Whoppers).
During the 9th grade, I started exercising (ack, I could never spell that word) because I started getting interested in the local pro sports franchises. I was still chubby, but after awhile I was less tired throughout the day and was in better spirits. I started smiling more, even to those less-intelligent people. Pretty soon, I had some understanding friends.
Even now, while I play Starcraft:Brood War, Civ2, and video game RPGs incessantly, and take heavy interest in academics, and read novels (finished all of crichton's books, read a lot of dragonlance, some clancy and grisham) and spend a lot of time online, people accept me. There are those at school who think they're better than everyone, but those people are the ones branded as stuck-up assholes/hoes.
Self-professed geeks (myself included) need to lighten up and enjoy life a bit, maybe try some aspects of conformity rather than totally scorn all establishment values. After all, exercise (damn that word!) helps you live longer. And try to keep that superiority complex under control; I think I've established a third-person personality that talks to my brain about how others would view me. It's no use to act like an ass to those who treat you like an ass, you just sink to their level.
Society itself needs to be more understanding. Perhaps I have been lucky enough to go to a school where our football team hasn't had a winning season in 40-odd years, and badminton is the dominant sport. Teachers, especially English teachers, encourage understanding and individualism/self-expression. Cliques are non-existant, except for those who choose to isolate themselves from everyone else (druggies mostly, also the racial hate-types). Coolness is a matter of perception and understanding.
A complete genius goes to my school. He has long hair, dresses in sweats, has a zit-pocketed face, and is one of the most eccentric people I know. Before this year, I thought he was a complete psycho. Well, after a year in Computer Science AP (just flunked the test) I found out he was a complete psycho, but everyone in the class enjoyed his presence and off-beat antics.
Another genius is in my Computer Science class. This guy is quiet, studious, and shy. When people tease him (the typical someone-likes-someone thing) he snaps at them. Needless to say, he isn't very while liked, even though if you speak to him on a personal basis he's a very nice guy.
It's not just society and the establishment that needs to rethink their values; supernerds and non-conformists need to also think of what they value.
As for me, I'll hang with both my supergenius and future burger-flipping friends.
Peace Out from San Jose