“In the normal humdrum of mundane society and amidst the ongoing conflict between law and chaos stirs a tempestuous climate that threatens to consume us all. Within the walls of educational institutions and the confines of adolescent society, a battle ensues between two opposing sides – a battle of peer pressure, discrimination and dignity. The victor will hold the sceptre of authority over all others whilst the loser will has everything to lose. Thus, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages, we proudly give you – Jocks versus Nerds.
If Nerds Ruled
Circa 2000: step into any sphere of learning and behold, discreetly, the imposing hierarchical phenomenon unfolding before your very eyes. You will later learn that the whitewashed facade of education cunningly disguises the hum of melee booming within the walls. The halls are clear – spotless, even. Clutter is taboo for this proper learning environment. The walls are covered with educational propaganda – overflowing registration sheets for the math club and assistant librarian internships.
On the dark corners, perpetually untouched, are the vandalized posters for cheerleading try-outs or – Heaven forbid – varsity football. The bell rings, the doors open, and the hunting begins. Stepping out of class is a six foot tall male specimen, a binder in hand, sporting a red letterman jacket that ought to be a symbol on his masculinity. He and his kind find shelter in locker rooms, hiding from the Kings and Queens of this new jungle.
And from the corners come the head of the new social pyramid – armed with scientific calculators, Lord of the Rings limited edition memorabilia in their knapsacks, wide rimmed glasses on the bridges of their noses – the Nerds.
Everybody is now clamoring for the cool of the library over the sweltering heat of the gym. Anybody with a Dungeons & Dragons pedigree is now generally considered fashionable. Scrabble, chess and the favourite lightning-scar-streaked boy are toppling over millennia of football-constructed hierarchies. Boys everywhere and anywhere talk about Star Wars plots and subplots without worrying anymore about ending up walking the Red Carpet of Shame. Textbooks, robotics, whizzing gadgets and trading cards are fast becoming the alpha of every known clique – the dominating sector of the hierarchy.
The Drama with the Societal Ladder
Think of High School Musical only without the musical. That is, by far, how films and printed words add colour and zest to the reality they are masking. The import of the traditional physically-awkward-and-introvert-wimp-stuffed-into-a-locker is the standard by which people treat other people.
The hierarchy, as far as society is concerned, revolves around two things – the winner and the loser. You win when what you like is socially acceptable; you lose when you stray from the norm. The status quo is the code name for order and control. As the poet hath wrote: “No, no, no, no. Stick to the stuff you know. It is better by far to keep things as they are, don’t mess with the flow, no no. Stick to the status quo.”
In this version of the story (or in any version really) there are always the oppressed and the oppressors. The ones who hold the power and wield that power to tell those of the lower, or of the one that the leaders are not on, caste: “No. What you are is wrong and what we are is right. So long as you follow what you like and not what we want, you are outcast.”
The way things are going in the present are the markings of upheaval of the old societal ladder. Comic book heroes are the new Prince Charmings of the world, people lining up for hours just to see the newest adaptation to screen. Kids who spend way too much time on their computer are no longer believed to be ‘uncool’ in this day in age – indeed, geeks have become the norm. What is socially acceptable? Who reigns supreme? Who’s at the top of the food chain?
Two Sides of the Story
Taking into consideration all of the preconceived stereotypes on what, exactly, jocks and Nerds are: Jocks are constructed as the natural adversaries of Nerds, tipping the odds in their favor with their physical prowess. This type of thinking creates the notion that the Jock is greater than the Nerd, therefore giving the Jock the excuse to stuff the Nerd in his own locker. This would then make the Nerd oppose the social ladder, beneath the tyranny of the Jock.
This intense loathing towards either Jocks or Nerds thrives off social stereotypes. Nerds are smart and awkward while jocks are powerful, athletic, and often academically challenged. In almost every variation of media, there has always been a need to classify people – and a certain class must always reign supreme.
But today, Nerds aren’t in the closet anymore. Today, “Nerd” is synonymous to “passion”, and Nerds are increasingly proud to flaunt their Nerdiosity. Society is not so ruthless anymore as to ostracize too-smart and socially-weak people and pick them last for kickball during recess. More than ever, Nerds are gaining their hard-earned position at the top of the chain and none too bothered by it. Black-rimmed glasses are now the craze everywhere. Computer lingo is termed as “cool”. And gamer tees are starting to work out for everyone. If taken into consideration, the term “Nerd” means that “a person who is enthusiastic about something” – making everyone a Nerd about something. A Nerd for sports, a Nerd for comic books, a Nerd for novels, or a Nerd for cosmetics – and if that is the case, why is there the need for the ladder?
The Nerd is human, and to be human is to embrace one’s passions. In the social jungle, people battle over whose passions are more worthy of pursuing, whether to read or to run; to try out for the football team or audition for theatre. But stereotypes are built on the idea that people are one dimensional, black-vs.-white caricatures of reality – that then trap people within limited lifestyles or narrow social cliques that define their very humanity. It’s all an illusion.
A Jock reading A Tale of Two Cities? Possible. A Nerd scoring 60 free throws? Definitely.
