<p>Oh, yea, I think that makes a little more sense now. Certainly there are people who have an intrinsic interest for learning and those who don’t care much for it, although they may still be intelligent and achievement motivated. I’ve noticed that a lot with doctors, actually. Some of them seem like the sort of guys who go home and read science books into the night, where others are more likely to be found cruising the streets in their convertible and attending parties at those hours. Obviously, because they’re doctors, we can assume both types are motivated and intelligent, but it’s their personalities that differ. </p>
<p>I guess my take on it was that a point of social ineptness, sexual inactivity and (in some cases) eccentricity is a place where very few people would want to be. More often that not, I think someone is sequestered into that spot as opposed to choosing to be there. At least, that’s how it was for me. Granted, I never took an interest in drinking or sex just for the sake of doing it, but I couldn’t help but feel like those doors have been closed off to me in high-school regardless of my interest (or lack thereof) in taking part. So, in response to your question, I don’t think I’m a jock (or whatever) looking down on nerds, no. </p>
<p>It’s possible that, due to the school I attend(ed) where the jock-mentality was very strong, I suffered under the pressure of trying to act out my inner nerd and stay in line with the peer group’s social norms–a sort of “nerd’s guilt”, if you will. More likely. though, I probably just never found a group of, like you say, “intellectuals” who shared my interest in discussing Nietzsche over LeBron or Hans Zimmer over Katy Perry. Maybe, I just didn’t try hard enough, I don’t know. Hopefully, things will get better in college.</p>
<p>Shamefully, I will admit that I’ve spent many a lunch hour sitting alone and I don’t see any reason why being labelled a “nerd” could be a good thing in such a situation.</p>