The Revenge of the Nerds

the article reflects on the social dynamics of Indian school life in the 1980s and 1990s. It also discusses how economic changes, particularly in the IT sector, transformed the fortunes of nerdy individuals.

AI image generated by author
Childhood Impressions:
As a child growing up in the 1980s and 1990s in a small city in India, our fascination was drawn towards our school peers who arrived in cars, a privilege reserved for only a select few. Just a few children enjoyed this luxury, the rest of us relied on bicycles, parental scooters, or the school bus for transportation.
Being dropped off in a car bestowed upon these fortunate kids a sense of prestige. Typically, those who belonged to affluent families, either involved in businesses or with inherited wealth, were the ones arriving in cars. Most of us belonged to middle-class families where the parents were employed in offices and the finances were just to enough to keep the kitchen fires burning.
So in the midst of this social dynamics, the nerdy students were often overshadowed by those who arrived in flashy vehicles. I distinctly recall a classmate BPSR who garnered attention for arriving on a Kawasaki bike, captivating the admiration of girls, while nerds were often the subject of ridicule.
While BPSR and his clique swaggered around the school like peacocks, the nerds remained engrossed in their books. As someone who didn’t belong to either group, I observed the social dynamics from a safe distance.
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Economic Transformation:
The landscape underwent a significant transformation with India’s economic liberalization in 1992, heralding the era of market openness and the subsequent IT revolution. This shift had profound implications, particularly for the nerdy individuals who excelled in disciplines such as engineering and medicine. IITs and IIMs made millionaires by the hundreds and India’s middle class became fat with wealth.
Wealth became more accessible — you could put in effort, join the IT industry, and enhance your social status by raking in moolah. Or do MBA from IIMs and overnight change last thousand years of your social history. Opportunities expanded, many of these nerds found themselves venturing abroad upon completing their education. Summer vacations/birthdays in Europe and Dubai became de jure.
Remarkably, being intellectually inclined gradually evolved into a fashionable trend. This transition seemed akin to a ‘revenge of the nerds,’ where the previously marginalized individuals found themselves at the forefront of societal admiration.
Passing the Torch:
Fast forward to the present, where I find myself in the role of a teacher, in Mumbai — the financial capital of India. Today I teach the children of the nerds who once graced our classrooms of the 80s/90s. It’s intriguing to observe the diverse aspirations among their progenies.
While some are driven to emulate the intellectual pursuits of their parents, others seem content to bask in the comfort afforded by their parents’ hard-earned success.
Amidst this varied landscape, a palpable concern lingers among the parents. They recognize that unlike tangible wealth, corporate positions cannot be simply bequeathed to their offspring. Consequently, the nerd parents whose children choose a more leisurely path find themselves grappling with a sense of frustration and uncertainty.
Adding to their insecurities is the emergence of Artificial Intelligence. Now the prevalent question is whether it is ok to to be an average geek, or if success will require an even higher level of nerdiness
Personal Reflection:
These contemplations crystallized during my viewing of a video by Veritasium, a compelling podcast, particularly engaging for those with an interest in stock markets. In this video, Derek Muller talks about nerds like Louis Bachelier, Jim Simons, et al who made a killing doing nerdy things.

I have documented a few key points for both your reference and my own records — in a separate blog post. Trust you enjoyed this piece and will also find the other one insightful and enjoyable too. 🍁