Why Nerds will Always Win

Recently, there was a book review in The Economist about nerds and why they are important. It brought up some good points about "nerds" and "jocks." One point was that it was essential that the ones people call "nerds" know that as time goes by, things do get easier. As a nerd myself, this would have been nice information to have as I suffered the slings and arrows of childhood ridicule. I do realize that now that I am probably better off than most of those kids who focused their attention on breaking down others rather than studying and bettering themselves. Most importantly, I realized that the statement that things get better with time is inevitable. Nerds will always overcome. Why? Because of their big brains, and I think I can prove it.

When comparing jocks and nerds, one notices the most obvious difference: physicality. In high school and sometimes in college, jocks will push around the nerds, for a variety of reasons. The reasons do not matter, what matters is that jocks will lose their greatest gift far sooner than nerds ever will. Physical strength and prowess inevitably fade with time. Strength increases, peaks and then declines. It is the destiny of all who rest all their mantel on physical ability. Even the greatest of athletes are lucky to have their abilities past age 35. The average career in the NFL, which houses some of the most physically fit athletes, is a paltry five years. What then? What happens after the glory of athleticism fades? What is the fate of those who pushed others around, what is the fate of the bully?

When watching "Bowling for Columbine," (which I absolutely despised) Michael Moore was interviewing Matt Stone from "South Park" fame. Although the movie itself was better suited as a frisbee than a real documentary, Stone said something profound enough for me to remember after most of that drivol faded away. To paraphrase, he said if only there was some way to tell these kids (when discussing the Columbine massacre) that there is so much more after high school and those who ridiculed them would be in the same town in 20 years selling insurance, there wouldn't be so many shootings at these schools. I'm at a point in my life where I can really say that is true. While jocks and ridiculers' talents fade, the brain and intelligence will increase as long as you're learning. That's why nerds will always win.

As their strength fades, ours grows. At some point in everyone's life, they will have to depend on their brains more than their brawn. For those who have not honed their learning skills, and focused only on destroying others, the time will come when they will have to use their intelligence. If there is none, then Matt Stone is right, in 20 years they'll be managing a fast-food restaurant or selling insurance. Always know, what goes around comes around and those who gave it will always get it in the end.