Comments on: Nerds run this planet

By: Jon KIng

Jon KIng — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Maybe uncool is a better broad description than nerd. And the uncool kids do grow up to run things many times. Uncool kids can be nice or sickos. Rove and Rush were very geeky kids and adults yet have tremendous power over the running of our country.

By: Ramon

Ramon — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:00:48 +0000

Yeah, but I’m still a virgin.

By: Mapnut

Mapnut — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:56:03 +0000

Sheesh. Phil said “If you’re reading this blog, you’re a nerd.” 48 replies and no one yet has claimed not to be a nerd, or at least a geek? Is it not possible for a scientist, engineer or computer programmer to be cool?

I’m assuming that no matter how techy you may be, if you’re cool, you’re not a nerd or geek.

I’m an engineer, I’ve never been cool, but I am not a nerd or geek. Too good-looking.

By: energyrater1

energyrater1 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:23:39 +0000

Obama is not a nerd. Huckabee was a funny nerd, but the country wouldn’t endorse a nerd to be a president.

#26 Andy got it right first!

By: John Paradox

John Paradox — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:07:24 +0000

THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Like Thomas Edison

Does prefering Tesla to Edison make one an ubergeek?

J/P=?

By: khms

khms — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:46:37 +0000

Usually you’re right – us people who understand science don’t get to call the shots.

But occasionally …

You might have heard of Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, recently talked to both houses in the US.

I might not like her politics much … but it so happens she’s a physical chemist – Ph.D. thesis in quantum chemistry (grew up in East Germany). (And one wonders how a physicist from East Germany managed to become the boss of the conservative Christian party.) Married two other scientists (Merkel and Sauer), too.

I see from Wikipedia that she has papers (usually with others, of course) in Chemical Physics, Acta Chim. Hung., Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie, Molecular Physics, Journal of American Chemical Society, Coll. Czechoslov. Chem. Commun., Chemical Physics Letters, International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, and Science. That certainly sounds like a bona fide scientist.

By: Gary Ansorge

Gary Ansorge — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:17:41 +0000

Let’s see: what were some of the derogatory terms applied to us over the years?
Commie/pinko/fag/hippy/nerds,,,

Personally, I prefer Furry Freak(with 17 inch arms). I don’t know why, but those arms seem to deflect a LOT of ad hominems, at least when I’m present,,,

Just an aside: craftsmen(and women) have been running the world for a long time. Even the tribal guy who made really good bows and arrows was greatly admired and the nerd who watched critters to see what plants they ate to make themselves well(tribal shaman) was considered the leaders great advisor. Still, it does appear it’s sociopaths who steer the ship of state but consider who advises them.(“Watch out for the iceberg, Sir Idiot.”)

Gary 7

By: Yeebok

Yeebok — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:07:38 +0000

I remember school (I’m 38 now) being a nerd was not cool. Now though, it’s pretty much our world, no matter how you look at it. It’s wonderful

By: Quiet Desperation

Quiet Desperation — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:28:49 +0000

I’m not sure Obama is a nerd

A politico from the Chicagosphere? Definitely not. He’s a hard core policy wonk. That’s not a compliment. I voted for him simply out of boredom with the whole process.

So anyway if the world is ruled by nerds, I’m worried ’cause they’re not doing a terrific job!

Heh heh. Good point. Hey, don’t blame us.

When I travel, and mention I’m from California, I have to add that no one I voted for is currently in office before the digs begin. You don’t know what you’re missing here, Phil. Dumbest. Politicians. EVER. And I’m not exaggerating. Rep, Dem, doesn’t matter. If I were governor I’d seriously have the statehouse checked for toxins, and have them all sent to the local equivalent of Dr. House for checkups.

Pfft! I just want to retire early as I can so I can code up the RPG that’s been rattling about my head for some time now.

By: Jim Kakalios

Jim Kakalios — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:25:44 +0000

Hi all:

Wassup, nerds!

Thanks for the comments and feedback. Note that I said that nerds “run” this planet, not “rule” it. Obviously we’re not in charge, but without us, the whole thing stops. Our society idolizes athletes and actors, but without us nerds, their fame would spread by word of mouth.

So, your assignment: how are we not going to take it any more from the man?

Your Friendly Neighborhood Physics Professor,

Dr. K (the “K” stands for Action!)

By: Flavio

Flavio — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:31:18 +0000

Well I was going by definition with my comment; a nerd is an intelligent yet socially not-so-skilled individual. I’m not sure Obama is a nerd, maybe he is in comparison with that idiot jock who came before him.
So anyway if the world is ruled by nerds, I’m worried ’cause they’re not doing a terrific job! ;p

By: Stargazer

Stargazer — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:16:25 +0000

Just wanted to say that nerdgirls are the best.

By: I'd rather be fishin'

I'd rather be fishin' — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:48:11 +0000

Weird Al’s song “White and Nerdy” is now running through my brain. Thanks, thanks a lot.

By: anothermike

anothermike — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:44:56 +0000

@gilles, Yes, but only because we’d chosen that as the theme. Next election cycle we’d pick a different theme to LARP.
That is all in opposition to the current system where we are driven to it by the law of unintended consequences and our PHBs well-meaning but utterly clueless edicts.

By: I'd rather be fishin'

I'd rather be fishin' — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:10:27 +0000

I teach high school physics (try to any way). One day after a particularly bad exam filled with silly student errors, I put a sign on the wall “Apply head here. Repeat. ”

To the person who commented “Politicians are the types who get the nerds to do their homework for them, while they’re out playing football and knocking up cheerleaders.”

Yes, that’s true. But then we don’t have to find lots of people to post bail for us either!

By: Gilles

Gilles — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:04:00 +0000

A planet ruled (as Flavio nº 22 said) by geeks and nerds would soon look like Brave New World. Scary.

By: Levi in NY

Levi in NY — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:00:16 +0000

Here’s a nerd rap (yes, such a genre actually exists) song called “The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth”:

http://www.electricfunstuff.com/songdown/EFS_The_Geeks_Shall_Inherit_the_Earth.mp3

People speak about a geek as if it were a stigma
Open up your eyes let’s banish this enigma
Techno-geeks in the house and we come from wayback.
I think the time is right for a little geek payback!

Take a peek at a true mystique,
It’s hip to be square and it’s called geek-chic.
Geeks understand things ’cause we’re so inquiring
We think so much we’re often shy and retiring.
At least we don’t act shallow like some people would:
You make a friend with a geek you got a friend for good!

THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Got a problem?
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
We can solve them.
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
We’re resourceful.
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Our power’s forceful.

Adjust your attitude, lower your defenses.
Get with the program, come to your senses.
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
Cause the geeks, yeah, the geeks shall inherit the Earth.

What we have here is a miscommunication.
How did we get such a bad reputation?
There’s not a lot of folks who admit they admire us,
But who do they turn to when their PCs got a virus?
We run the media, we run the banks,
We push the buttons, but do we get thanks?
I don’t think so. And would you be surprised
After all our efforts we get ostracized?

[Geek, geek, geek, etc.]

Open your eyes the geeks are not defective
It’s everyone else that’s like the Borg collective.
Geeks are individuals they’re not afraid to stand out.
Geeks will have the jobs when you’re looking for a handout.

[CHORUS]

Dear Santa, I have been a good boy.
Please send me a cellphone and a PalmPilot and any computer except for an iMac.
And maybe could you send me 7-of-9 from StarTrek Voyager? She’s kind of hot.
Your friend, Timmy

THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Cause we’re the better men.
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Like David Letterman
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Taste our medicine.
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Like Thomas Edison
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
I hope you will bet.
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
We got the skill set.
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
We’re ubiquitous.
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
So just stick with us!

Adjust your attitude, lower your defenses.
Get with the program, come to your senses.
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
Cause the geeks, yeah, the geeks shall inherit the Earth.

By: Larian LeQuella

Larian LeQuella — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:24:46 +0000

Proud family of nerds! Last year for xmas, my (then) 12 year old daughter actually requested a poster of the Periodic Table of Elements and a book describing each element.

Valhar2000 (#4) and TechyDad (#13), well said! I sadly must conceede that overall the actual RUNNING of the world is done by the folks coolstar and QD says. They do it poorly, but they are the ones who are actually doing it. Us nerds are just too busy keeping it running to really do anyting about them it seems, and they are intent on keeping it that way.

By: Quiet Desperation

Quiet Desperation — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:02:29 +0000

I’m sorry, but I still refuse to embrace “nerd” and “geek” as anything but insulting. The media continues to belittle people who have intellectual interests outside the socially acceptable pantheon of personal interests. Characters like Charles Eppes on Numb3rs are the exception. Watch any local news report of something like a math convention and watch the newsreaders roll their eyes. “People who like *math*? Are they insane?! Gasp! What is wrong with them? LOL! KTHX.”

I, in turn, do *not* make fun of people who like, say, NASCAR, or watch 30 hours of football every weekend. Who am I to judge them over something like that? They’re enjoying themselves. Bully for them.

#31 has it right: politicians and various power brokers run the world, and they are, by and large, the “cool kids” from our youth who seemed to get everything because they were pretty or athletic or had rich parents or whatever the local sociological conditions dictated at the time.

They’re also sociopaths, but that’s a different thread.

And before anyone questions my credentials, I own one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Periodic-Table-Shower-Curtain-vinyl/dp/B00176V42O

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:54:30 +0000

Remember this. Geeks/Nerds have the capacity to be and do anything. It doesn’t work the other way around.

By: coolstar

coolstar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:45:40 +0000

I have to agree with a lot of the previous posters: geeks and nerds running the world? Only in their fantasies. The politicians and bankers run the world, as anyone who has been conscious for the last 9 years should know. Yes, some progress in the U.S. has been made, finally, but even that was in doubt enough to keep me up late at night. Roughly 46% of the voters in this country think the creationist idiot Sarah Palin is qualified to run this country. That alone tells you all you need to know…….

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:56:25 +0000

I’ve been saying for years that the geeks are the real rulers of the world. I’m pround to be one! On the surface it might appear that the “popular” crowd run the show but those are just the highly visible ones (a few thousand that include politicians, celebrities, etc). Its a facade. Most of the “popular” crowd that I know ended up low on the totem pole, literally living under boardwalks, pushing mowers and selling fries. No 6-figure salaries there…

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:13:57 +0000

I am not sure if I qualify, as a non science major…..I was a psych major but now I counsel the upcoming nerds of this country….so am I nerd by proxy:)

By: The Ill Tempered Klavier

The Ill Tempered Klavier — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:53:23 +0000

@Kevin:
I’d like to help you out but my volcano baby turned out to be a jock and I couldn’t hatch any more girls, drat!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:48:05 +0000

@Flavio (21): I dunno, when the president of the US is a nerd, as well as one of the most popular news anchors, and one of the hottest actresses (for the uninitiated, Eliza Dushku plays WoW,) we’re pretty close to ruling the world.