I’m a PC Guy Funny, But Is Also Terribly Wrong
June 20th, 2009Watched a clip of the “I’m a PC guy” John Hodgman at the White House press corps. dinner (I think the same one with the reprehensible Wanda Sykes). Unlike Sykes, Hodgman was in the actual spirit of the night, mildly poking fun at President Obama for being the “first nerd President.” I noted that when Hodgman called most of the audience nerds, they weren’t smiling or laughing. Watch for David Axelrod, who looks absolutely stone faced in the video.
It was a funny bit, delivered in something like the bi-partisan spirit that these events are supposed to be. However, I do disagree with several assertions, and I think it is worth discussion.
Hodgman is partially correct in stating that there is a difference in philosophy between “nerds” and “jocks.” But he paints too broadly (yes, I know this is a light hearted bit, but let’s roll with this here). Hodgman asserts that jocks are those who are self-confident folk who only go on “gut feelings.” Whereas nerds, I guess, are people who are bookish, who rely on something like pure reason or whatever.
In reality, of course, jocks are simply people who tend to enjoy physical activity naturally, while nerds are those who gravitate towards mental activity. And there is quite a bit of cross-over. A jock can be quite bookish (one remembers Minnesota Vikings running back Robert Smith, who took time off of football at Ohio State to focus on academics, and who retired in his prime to pursue intellectual interests), while a nerd can still enjoy physical activity (id Software’s John Carmack is a martial artist, at least according to Masters of Doom).
However, I do rather take exception with Hodgman’s claim that the founding fathers were “nerds,” and that strict constructionist judges are “jocks.” This is insane. Constructionist judges are the ultimate nerds! A nerd is someone who knows the difference between an Orc and a Uruk-Hai (as I do, which says something about me, heh). A constructionist judge is a nerd about the Constitution. Now, liberal judges are also nerds, but about other stuff.Â
Also, Hodgman thinks that to actually understand the founding fathers intent is impossible. Well, that is rather stupid, because they told us, in writing, again and again, what they meant. This isn’t esoteric, 1776 wasn’t some secret Atlantian nation founded thousands of years ago. Yes, Hodgman is making “teh funny,” but I still felt compelled to point out his errors.
One last exit question remains. If “PCs” (as Hodgman plays the part of a “PC” in the Apple computer commercials) are nerds, are Apple users….. jocks?
