Last night I went to a reading for Benjamin Nugent’s American Nerd. In the part-memoir, part-ethnography, Nugent defines the designation of “nerd” by two non-mutually exclusive types. The one marked by obsessive interests and the other social exclusion. It got to me thinking about how these two facets are handled so differently in media today.

On the one hand, the popularization of nerd culture is clearly in full force. From the hordes of teen girls who flocked to Comic-Con for the “Twilight” panel to this summer’s reboot of “Star Trek” by J.J. Abrams to the sheer abundance of beloved nerdy icons: Jon Stewart, Tina Fey, Ira Glass to name a few. Even Obama has been called “the first nerd president of the modern era” by John Hodgman in his keynote speech at the 2009 Radio and TV Correspondents’ Dinner (a must-see if you haven’t yet). So it would seem it’s never been so good to be growing up geek.

But it’s a little more complicated than that. It’s true that Hollywood has shown no signs of stopping its search for material pre-approved by the likes of fanboys and girls, going beyond the now-standard superhero blockbuster, to explore more complex, less easily adaptable fare like the graphic novel “The Watchmen” and now the fantasy video game-inspired “War of Worldcraft” film. Meanwhile fantasy-based subgenres that were formerly limited to cult followings — wizardry, vampires and soon mythology (!!) — have risen up to become bona fide mainstream multi-media phenomenons. All through the vehicle of YA fiction. A gesture in and of itself that speaks volumes to the upped cool factor of bookish habits (and makes my middle school self more than a little jealous).

Still, even with this literary and cinematic celebration of nerdom in full swing, I wonder how much the junior high and high school experience of being involuntarily labeled as a nerd or a freak has actually changed. While I would like to hope, as Nugent suggested in an interview with Salon, day pass required, that it might be slightly easier now, because of popular shows that portray “nerds” less as two-dimensional characters, and more as people you can empathize with, and even find attractive (i.e. the Seth Cohen character on “The OC” or Dan Humphrey on “Gossip Girl”), my sense is this might be a little too optimistic. While teens may wear their geek admiration as a badge with tees that say “I Heart Nerds,” the division between nerdy trends and the authentic population most likely still exists. Especially in high school where nerd love for Michael Cera may not translate as easily to an appreciation for real-life outsiders, i.e. Joseph from the the documentary “American Teen,” who aren’t blessed with the “geeky dreamboat” charms and good looks of these characters and the actors who play them.

The most authentic media representations of “nerds” that fall under the socially awkward category tend to be limited to the adult sphere with characters in Judd Apatow films and shows like “The Office” and “30 Rock.” Although “Superbad” and “Napoleon Dynamite” are notable exceptions to the rule, it’s hard to find a realistic on-screen depiction of the misfit high school experience, especially when it comes to the small screen. Aside from the defunct “Freaks and Geeks” (which Apatow co-created with Paul Fieg) and Chris Rock’s recently completed “Everybody Hates Chris” (both interestingly set in the 80′s), the day-to-day fight for self-preservation in high school as interpreted by actors who actually resemble the kids you see in the hallways, isn’t a common sight on television. Then again, maybe the time for a contemporary TV series that aims to set the record straight about high school (with realistic casting choices) is upon us (we’ll see if “Glee” delivers this fall…). If not now, when?

Categorized under: Movies & Music, TV

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