Jocks +/ Nerds ~ by Ransom

The one-sided rivalry between jocks and nerds is a staple of popular culture.

We're not looking at that.

This article explores the basics of what makes jocks jocks and nerds nerds.  When you are finished you will understand the unique role each fills and why neither can replace the other.

Nerds and jocks have two different ways of viewing the world and two different strategies for success.

The Nerd

The nerd views the world as information.

Information is power.  The ability to process & understand information better than others provides a power edge.

This is especially true in our data-driven and nominally tamed modern world.

Information is an element of organization.  What we know influences what we do.

The Jock

The jock views the world as physical challenge.

Physical prowess in competitive fields develops courage.  Courage and strength are requirements for dealing with the unknown.

While strength still matters it has become less of a factor as the world becomes more automated and data driven.

Physical performance is socially recognized and people organize around such performers.

Approach Towards Risk

The jock addresses risk by becoming physically ready for it.  The nerd addresses risk by minimizing it with information.

Risk is part of the jock's life; eating risk is what makes him a jock.

Risk is repugnant to the nerd & he seeks to understand it away.

The jock knows risk is always present & welcomes the opportunity to prove himself.  The nerd believes that risk is just an absence of information; if he could know enough he could see all and navigate everything.

Thus the jock and the nerd have two incompatible models of the world.  The jock lives on the frontiers while the nerd lives in the established zones of clear rules.

This leads to the nerd's big weakness; he is suited for & seeks out information-rich environments and falsely believes the rest of the world is an extension of that.

Derivation of Status

The jock achieves status by physical performance & social function.  He has demonstrated that he can do things.  This capability results in the accruel of social followers.  Maintaining that social function demonstrates his ability to manage social affairs.

What status the nerd achieves is by problem solving and wealth creation.  Though the mental arts are valuable to society they do not excite social following.

Conclusion

The jock expands & maintains frontiers that provide mapable spaces for the nerd to work in.

The jock organizes the social structure that allows the nerd to function.

The nerd creates the technological structure that supports society (and the jock).

He who can fill both roles has a pretty sweet advantage.