A cursory look at the current fall lineup of shows in the United States will show you a very surprising trend. Gone are the days of the jock. The geeks are here!
Just look at the number of shows that are premiering this month who have nerdy characters as the protagonists. You’ve got the trueblue nerds in The Big Bang Theory and Chuck; the slacker geeks in The Reaper, and; pivotal nerd characters that range from Numb3rs to Heroes (just look at Hiro). It just goes to show that the nerd has emerged from the shadows of the more mainstream leads and have taken the reins. They are the new role models, the characters that kids would love to be when they grow up.
I think this fascination with nerds have their roots in successful nerds like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Brainy kids who are such humongous successes that they can fund a small third world country with their loose change. Jocks may look cool in high school but that’s just a fleeting popularity. Nerds have a firmer and more solid claim to the future.
I say we should encourage this new attitude. It’s time for the brainy people to get the recognition they deserve.
Long live the geek!