Self‐made nerd: The revenge of the nerds as a new myth of American social mobility.

The article discusses the American cultural phenomenon known as the revenge of the nerds, which is a myth of social mobility where smart kids excel in STEM fields and become successful while their peers end up in low-paying jobs. The narrative is a neoliberal revision of the self-made man, emphasizing intelligence and specialized skills over hard work. The revenge of the nerds narrative has evolved over time, with examples from films like "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Back to the Future" showcasing how nerds can achieve success in different ways. The article also explores modern adaptations of the revenge of the nerds narrative in films like "The Social Network" and biographies like Elon Musk's, highlighting the complexities and limitations of achieving success through this myth. [Extracted from the article]