Summary Of Leonid Fridman America Needs Its Nerds

Leonid Fridman wrote the article, “America Needs its Nerds” in 1990. At the time, he was the founder of the Society of Nerds and Geeks at Harvard University. He wrote this article pertaining to the fact that according to him “Nerds” and “Geeks” are looked poorly upon, but specifically in the United States. For liking books rather than football they are boring and become social outcasts because those who value football see nerds as hating “fun”. He is arguing against parents and kids who think nerd and geek are derogatory terms. It makes those who are targets of these terms feel as if being who they are is uncanny; it’s ridiculous to like things that are associated with being intelligent. He wants those who see nerd or geek as an insult to realize

He uses this to set up the rest of the article so we know he’s talking about those who are ‘smart’ and strongly value academics. He also gives atmosphere for the rest of his article when stating, ‘ There is something very wrong with the system of values in a society that only has derogatory terms…’ The tone moves from passive to straightforward with his diction. Throughout the entirety of the article he criticizes the way intellectuals are looked down upon and is aggressive in stating his view on the issue. His stance in this paragraph is an opening to the beginning of his overall argument; if we don’t value geeks and nerds we will fall behind as a nation. We will never be able to be a leading country without the geeks and nerds we insult. The reader starts to feel guilty as if he’s blaming us for doing something shameful, especially when he writes the words “very

“At a prestigious academic institution like Harvard, anti-intellectualism is rampant.”He uses Harvard as an example to represent a place that is well known for those we consider nerds and geeks, and brings them to a lower standard. When thinking of Harvard one would think of intellectuals who strive for grades better than an A but the fact that he reveals our image of Harvard false, makes a powerful statement. Even though students at Harvard are seen as nerds it’s still embarrassing to be seen that way even at such a prestigious school. Also when he writes, ‘Ostracized for their intelligence and refusal to conform to society’s anti-intellectual values,..’ He compares Harvard students with kids in elementary, and high school who are ostracized for liking books more than football. He contrasts those who are seen as ‘unknowledgable’ to those who are towards the top of leadership and success. They’re dramatically different but he’s still able to make a connection between them. Even though he contrasts these two at the same time he makes a comparison to show how those who are intellectuals, at any age, are still seen as