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While obviously I think you're intentionally overstating your case for rhetorical effect, it's worth mentioning that workplace "popularity" is not uncorelated w

While obviously I think you're intentionally overstating your case for rhetorical effect, it's worth mentioning that workplace "popularity" is not uncorelated with competence (it may not be strongly correlated, and there are always individual counter-examples) whereas highschool popularity was often negatively correlated with competence, or simply not correlated at all. People might not like the nerd, but they do appreciate he or she knows his or her shit. And, the less dysfunctional the organization, the more likely this is to be reflected in salaries, etc. So, fun read, and a good counterpoint to pg's essay.

MisterBastahrd 13y ago
High school popularity is usually correlated with social competence, which is a very valuable and underrated skill on its own. Given two people with somewhat similar technical skills, the guy with the ability to mingle outside his comfort zone is usually going to win out over the guy who just wants to work.
- podperson 13y ago
  Fair point, although it's only slightly correlated. There are people in high school who seek popularity and devote a lot of effort to it, and then there are those who achieve as much popularity as they want/need with fairly minimal effort. Meeting both at reunions, the difference is striking.