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America Needs Its Nerds

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Submitted By chiqkisbere28
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Leonid Fridman, in his essay, “America Needs Its Nerds,” asserts his disgusted feelings towards the incorrect behavior to Americas intellectually curious “nerds” ( Fridman 3). Fridman’s purpose is to inform americans that we should value “nerds and geeks” (Fridman 29), instead of “athletes [being ] idolized” (Fridman 18). He adopts a disgusted and exaggerated tone in order to persuade Americans to change their ways, and shit their values before America falls apart, and for geeks and nerds to accept and stop being ashamed of themselves. Fridman begins his essay by validating the definition of the word “geek” (Fridman 4) from Websters New World Dictionary, and repeating the word throughout his essay. The dictionary defines greek as a “street performer who shocks the public by biting off heads of live chickens” (Fridman 6-7). Not only does Fridman define geek, but he also compares the definition to the way this term is used to call “intellectually curious and academically serious” (Fridman 4-5) Americans. “Nerds” (Fridman 29) and “anti-intellectualism” (Fridman 12) are other repetitive terms throughout Fridman’s essay that are used to establish his point, making his purpose broad. By repeatedly using the derogatory terms in a bitter tone, allows us to see to who he is speaking to, and how his point is emphasized that nerds need to stop being ashamed of themselves. In addition, Fridman ends his argument by placing it into the readers hand asking a rhetorical question towards the end. The rhetorical questions are not meant to be answered, but poner the purpose and points he established throughout his essay. Questions such as “How long can America remain in world-class power if we constantly emphasize social...and physical prowess over academic achievement…?,” (Fridman 53-55) show Fridman’s exaggeration when it comes to taking “nerds” (Fridman 29) into consideration

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