As I drove through Downtown Edmonton today, I saw some fashion statements that, well....I don't know if you'd call it "fashion" per se, but it was a statement of sorts nonetheless. Although, one current trend that I have noticed growing in popularity is what is referred to as "Geek Chic". You know, the thick rimmed glasses, sweater vests with corduroy pants and loafers - the school girl thing without the raunchy connotations. So, when did nerd become cool? Can I join the AV club again?
Benjamin Nugent, author of American Nerd: The Story of My People, has dedicated an entire book on the history of nerds in our culture - pop and otherwise. He explores where the idea came from, its evolution, and how the phrase "my lips hurt real bad!" has worked its way into daily banter. He also discusses how this new-found love for the "nerd" character has infiltrated the entertainment business with shows like The Big Bang Theory and Beauty and the Geek. When Nugent asked about the reason behind such programming, CW Network's president of entertainment, Dawn Ostroff, simply stated "Nerds are really in right now".
She has a point though, and really where would the jocks be if there hadn't been nerds? How would the macho bank robbers have gotten into the vault if the token nerd hadn't first disabled the security system by hacking the national mainframe? So when you look at that way, nerds are just getting the credit they've always deserved.
Now where's that pocket protector....
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