Nerdy geek-type intellectuals are at the BOTTOM of the totem pole in terms of respect and human worth in the 21st century. They are ostracized, bullied in school, most are awkward virgins (intellect is the anti-thesis when it comes to being a "womanizer" or "stud") and it's only getting worse as society progresses.
Those are just two of the people I've worked with.
And look around. The most popular movies are based on comics. The most popular books are fantasy (Harry Potter) or science fiction dystopia (Hunger Games). Video games often have budgets on par with blockbuster films. Where is the social stigma on being a "nerd"? Largely gone, or at least it seems to me.
Raw intelligence by itself, is scoffed at by the general population. Outside of your tight knit nerd-circle or a back office server room in Silicon Valley, nobody actually cares about your quirky radio-frequency system hobby. Not even your boss cares, he just wants you to bust your back to help turn a profit.
On a social level, athletes and high-school football jocks take higher precedence than you. Pop musicians take higher precedence than you. Actors take higher precedence than you. Your local handsome extroverted bartender who can't even operate a computer takes a higher precedence than you (especially in the eyes of ovulating women) That is what human-worth means, in the 21st century.
Sorry guys. The show is over. Perhaps in the near future high-IQ nerds will finally engineer fully immersive virtual world(s), because that will be only world they will ever get any respect.
I mean, if we're going to get along and have a basic understanding of being social, it would probably be nice if you didn't insult my social abilities right there in in your opening paragraph.
I was a nerd in high school and was picked on when I wasn't being out-right ignored. My college experience was noticeably better, but the stereotypical extroverted "jock" still had me and my friends beat in the dating pool and other social circles. By graduation I too would have agreed that "Your local handsome extroverted bartender who can't even operate a computer takes a higher precedence than you".
However, ten years later into a highly technical career, I am constantly amazed at how beautiful my coworkers' partners are and how much respect they command from their social circles. It turns out that by the mid-thirties intelligence, and the success that comes with it, are incredibly attractive qualities. Most of these coworkers were introverted outcasts like me in school, but it's hard to ostracize someone in the prime of their life with a beautiful spouse, intelligent children, and a six figure salary.
In an IT company, for instance, you will always find the project managers and even supervisors getting all the glory and respect whereas the programmers and architects are shunned on the side.