Biology Forums - Study Force

Not bashing nerds or anythin', heck I'm one ) it just seems nerds are so bright and intellectual, yet, I've known dozens and they do not know how to swim, or swim like rocks. I'm a nerd myself and the exception, but I know a lot of other nerds and none of them can swim at all. Can someone tell me why this is? Some are in their 20's, and they too cannot swim. Is this normal? I first assumed all nerds could swim because they are bright. In 2011 a guy I knew named Michael Hilling (19) drowned when he jumped/fell off a seawall to retrieve a water bottle his girlfriend had dropped. He could not swim and so he drowned. Was described as being very bright and matched all the characteristics of a nerd. I happened to know him.

There is not a valid scientific term "nerd". Therefore, the question cannot be answered.

Really?... Come on...

Being a nerd has nothing to do with not knowing how to swim. However, some "nerds" that I know aren't that fond of swimming because they just lack the interest in physical activity.

:p

Nerds, not knowing how to swim? What's happening here?!

hhehehe, as the other responder said, nerd is a label.
and you could say michael phelps is a nerd in swimming.
point is, almost everyone could swim if they take the time to put their books down and go to a large body of water and learn how to swim.

they say nerds are smart yet they consistently do not know how to swim. i used to know dozens of nerds. none could swim.

Who's 'they'?

I know this is an offtopic thread but isn't this a bit too off? o.o

''they' is themselves, and other people described him as being very bright.
What I don' t get is if nerds are allegedly very smart, how come they don't know how to swim (i know lots.. none can swim, and others agree with me) ? swimming is really simple.. and important..

Swimming is learned, it's not innately inscribed in our genes, like it is in other animals, such as dogs.

bipedal animals in general need to learn how to swim since animals walking on four legs dont have to use effort to re coordinate themselves while swimming and they just walk in the water to swim. chimps, gorrilas, etc cant swim naturally.

what i dont get is if 'nerds' are supposed to be very smart, why is it that most of them don't learn how to swim . it seems important.

That's a personal choice, don't you think?

yes but i dont understand why like 95% of them dont learn. its a very consistent thing ive observed

It's a poor correlation. Most children learn how to swim when they are very young, before they realize their intellectual potential. In some families, parents encourage their children to learn how to swim by signing them up for swimming lessons. IQ and swimming are two unrelated variables.

I read an article somewhere that said 30% of the US population can't swim. I know about 60 or so 'stereotypical nerds' and I know only 3 or 4 that can swim and they're usually the least ''nerdy'' of the nerds. The nerdiest ones would sink like rocks if they fell into deep water.

You should do a nation-wide study on this. Intellect versus ability to swim!

Correlation does not mean causation. Being a nerd does not have anything to do with swimming. A person will know how to swim if they have been taught.

it's not that "nerds" don't know how to swim...it's just that most "nerds", or say "book-worms" would rather spend more time studying or indoors than outdoor or any physical activities. but i know many smart studious ppl who can swim as well and are very active...i think you are not meeting enough ppl and basing all off on your personal experiences or stories heard lol

That's a pretty cool topic, most nerds would probably not have the time to engage in activities such as swimming because they are focused more around knowledge. It would be something worth researching more about.  ^-^

Are you actually encouraging this idea? I think (well, I hope) Padre was just kidding.

There's no correlation between nerds and swimming. If anything they should know how to calculate optimal hand and feet movements to ensure efficient swimming.  :P

I don't think there's any relation between being a nerd and not knowing how to swim..take a class at your local pool, it's lots of fun!

i wouldnt say all nerds. so people in general because i am not a nerd and i cannot swim.
this is why i dont go near the water, or too far in the deep end. haha

I don't think that "nerds" do not know how to swim. People have different weaknesses and strengths. I don't think it's fair to generalize people.

Obviously it's normal...

I think nerdiness has absolutely nothing to  do with your capability of swimming. You could definitely learn if your heart is there

Yes, its normal because they would rather play Disc golf, Dance Dance Revoluation, laser tag and Wii fitness. On their down time, they are reading comic books.

Don't hate. I consider that very physically active ok. They don't have to swim like fish to fit in.

I think children who take swimming lessons are able to swim and those who dont are not as strong swimmers?

Dont they do a program for swimming with babies, and dont know how to swim on their own normally? It is a skill we learned just from our genetics, and everyone should know how to swim.

They have adult swim classes at all kinds of places (like YMCA), etc. 

I'd say this is normal though, I consider myself to be a huge geek (disparity between nerd) and have thought about this for awhile.  :p 

The hardest part to my mind is unlearning bad habits learned from just treading water (read: not swimming efficiently).

Either they didn't have the choice/time/capacity to go swimming because of issues, or they chose not to. Why do some people dislike pizza?

Locking this stupid thread for good. Can't believe stuff like this gets attention in this community.