Everyone's a Nerd

A Journey Through the Digital Communication Revolution

I remember middle school. Sure, I tried to block out the horrifying memories from a stupendously ill-conceived concept: let’s throw kids who are pre-pubescent in with what could only be described as “fully bearded young men.” Then, let’s cram them all into an uncomfortable social setting, so that they are incentivized to compete with one another. It’ll be hilarious!

It wasn’t until a decade later that I realized every kid has a horrible middle school experience. If you had a great middle school experience, please let me know in the comments here, or just respond (if you’re getting this in email); I’d be surprised.

This near-universal discomfort and anxiety the kids who grew up in the late 70s, 80s, and early 90s felt launched plenty of commentary and loosely counter-cultural movies like Revenge of the Nerds, The Breakfast Club, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, all of which showed kids finding their identity in a sea of anonymity, where poking your head up above water was inherently da…