I've always been kind of a nerd. It surprised me how much they disliked nerds over there.
I can think of two reasons, maybe.
a) People think of nerds as annoying, know-it-all
b) Fear
It may sound silly at first, but many people feel unsafe, not to say being straight intimidated by people who seem smart.
Because, they know they have a hard time "winning" on a mental level.
That's why especially the simple-minded* may feel an aversion and anger against someone seemingly smart.
If they see a stronger person, it's not same kind of fear.
Because it's just physical strength that can be beaten somehow.
With a good escape plan, your school's bully can be defeated.
Competing with a smart person is like playing against the computer.
If you're an amateur chess player, your little C64 acting as an opponent suddenly becomes a monstrous creature with sharp teeth and claws.
Same goes for your average math teacher.
That person can scare you more than everything/everyone else.
(*Though there are also exceptions, like always.
People who're mentally disabled/different or have an unusual low IQ may act in another way.
They may act calm and very friendly, are not afraid of smart people/nerds).
"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel
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