Nerds: Why They are Sexy

 

nerd - noun - (informal) - a foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious (Google).

Way, way back in the Dark Ages (a.k.a. the 1980s into the early 1990s), there was a popular series of campy Hollywood movies, all with some iteration of the original's title: Revenge of the Nerds. In them, the "geeky" leading male characters are stereotyped as being intelligent albeit terribly unattractive, yet they are not altogether lacking in social graces, ironically, as they tend to attract and secure the "hot" women characters. I use the adverb "ironically" because most do not believe nerdy men can actually accomplish this feat in real life when in fact, they can and do. Since the series, most have forgotten the original denotation (above), instead, latching onto more of a connotation. A contemporary nerd is no longer foolish or contemptible. It is possible that there are some who are a bit shy or a bit too erudite for their own good, but I wouldn't say that they "lack social skills" or are "boringly studious." The majority out there envisions nerds as those fond of crew cuts, black-rimmed glasses, white-collared shirts (or even madras). A completely winning personality doesn't usually factor into the equation. And it doesn't matter because intelligence and a sense of humor (which many nerds have because they have to) are–yes–sexy. (Oh, to be fair and woke, nerds can be women or nonbinary persons as well with slight alterations involving fashion.) 

Let's take a step back, though. Woody Allen, like him or not, has embraced the implied definition of "nerd" for decades, and he has done exceptionally well. For those of you who are on the young side, you probably don't remember that after Allen's comic masterpiece Annie Hall was released in 1977, he scored as being People magazine's sexiest man alive. No kidding. I'm being real here. Short, balding, black-rimmed-bespectacled Woody transcended the mold. No longer did the leading man, the matinee idol, have to look like a carbon copy of Robert Redford or Paul Newman. Mr. Allen proved that a well-written, creative film comedy, well-acted and directed, could make anyone a sex symbol regardless of looks.

Personally, I like nerds, Woody included. In fact, two of my closest friends and golf buddies–bachelor brothers whom I have known for forty years–are total nerds; but they are interesting, well-educated, and extremely funny. Now I may not attracted to them on a physical level, but I still want them around. 

Okay, so what's the takeaway here? "Don't judge a book by its cover." Just because a man's or a woman's appearance may not be considered beautiful by society's lofty standards (although they could be changing), doesn't mean you should write him or her off entirely as a potential mate. Human beings are superficial by nature, but most of us are rebellious enough to rise above the trait and give the nerd a chance to prove he or she is worthy of admiration, if not true love.

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