“Nerds” were derided as being relatively single-minded and unsocial, where to be successful in the business world at the time (and still now) meant communicatio

“Nerds” were derided as being relatively single-minded and unsocial, where to be successful in the business world at the time (and still now) meant communication and being able to easily form relationships. The nerds formed a new ladder from which to be successful and thereby respected - they’re powerful enough to take down the not-nerds. You’re not wrong about anti-intellectualism always being a thing though, point taken!