I didn't want to be popular at school, because I was an introvert. During our lunch break, I was far happier spending my time with a very small group of friends, or sitting on my own with a book. If I had wanted to be 'in' with the popular kids, I would have had to expend enormous quantities of energy engaging with them, trying to be humorous, attempting to care about their lives.
I don't think being a nerd in anyway correlates with intelligence. Introverts tend to spend more time in solitary pursuits such as reading, programming and watching movies. For this reason they tend to become highly skilled or knowledgeable in niche areas. Extroverts tend to spend more time socialising and hence develop and excel when it comes to social skills. I've met plenty of stupid nerds in my time, and some stunningly intelligent 'popular' people.
When it comes to sports, I know plenty of introverts who are amazingly skilled. They tend to stay clear of activities such as football or other team sports simply because they are introverts. I have black-belts in Karate and Tae-kwon-do. My brother likes to run marathons (not competitively, he just runs 26 miles when ever he feels like it). Other introverts I know are amazing climbers or paddlers. These activities are all solitary, or rely on one's own skill rather than that of team-mates. They don't tend to attract the attention of others as much.
Introverts don't really want to be popular. Introverts also don't want to be bullied. Introverts would like some attention from the opposite sex. Introverts would like to be respected for their accomplishments. To gain those things, however, would require socialising on a grander scale than they feel capable of and hence they are branded as nerds.
Interesting. It took me until well into my twenties to realize and then come to terms with the fact that maybe I was having trouble being as social as my peers because I just didn't enjoy it as much.
Once that happened, I solved most my issues with 'socially capability' by seeking out specific kinds of socializing that I did like.
Turns out there are plenty of people just like me, but they either never bothered to enter the 'normal' social circles I desperately tried to enjoy being part of, or they came to know themselves quicker.
I don't think being a nerd in anyway correlates with intelligence. Introverts tend to spend more time in solitary pursuits such as reading, programming and watching movies. For this reason they tend to become highly skilled or knowledgeable in niche areas. Extroverts tend to spend more time socialising and hence develop and excel when it comes to social skills. I've met plenty of stupid nerds in my time, and some stunningly intelligent 'popular' people.
When it comes to sports, I know plenty of introverts who are amazingly skilled. They tend to stay clear of activities such as football or other team sports simply because they are introverts. I have black-belts in Karate and Tae-kwon-do. My brother likes to run marathons (not competitively, he just runs 26 miles when ever he feels like it). Other introverts I know are amazing climbers or paddlers. These activities are all solitary, or rely on one's own skill rather than that of team-mates. They don't tend to attract the attention of others as much.
Introverts don't really want to be popular. Introverts also don't want to be bullied. Introverts would like some attention from the opposite sex. Introverts would like to be respected for their accomplishments. To gain those things, however, would require socialising on a grander scale than they feel capable of and hence they are branded as nerds.