The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory, and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School

"The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth" will be a eye opener/oh s***! moment book for many people. This is because it addresses the old question of why K12 education sucks so much (for some people), what the deal is with the freakin rigged social hierarchy and bullies and why in the real world the former losers become winners (and vice versa).Robbins was moved to write the book after seeing the effects of bullying on youth (in worst cases leading to suicide or school shootings) and also seeing how the tables turned after school (with life often getting better for school outsiders). She claims that parents often tell their kids it gets better but they don't tell them why that is the case. That is where "The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth" comes to rescue and she presents her main idea of "Quirk Theroy" comes to play to explain why.Quirk Theory, according to Robbins, is the idea that many of the differences that cause a student to be excluded in school are the same traits or real-world skills that others will value, love, respect, or find compelling about that person in adulthood and outside of the school setting. So basically while these traits hurt a student and their social status in the closed of, conformist school culture they often lead them to great things outside of said environment. Meanwhile the traits that make people popular have quite the opposite effect as the drift of into the background while the outsiders thrive in the real world.Throughout the book Robbins follows different students (who for the most part are considered outsiders) in their struggles in school. Along with that she present her ideas and research on the in's and out's of quirk theory, outsiders, popularity, clique warfare, exclusion and more.The only real shortcomings I found where that the book is a bit long and I also wish that she spent more time on the ideas/life lessons of the book rather than the personal accounts of the people. Also of course the theory is not 100% true. There's popular people who become massive successful and non popular people who don't but those people are outliers and overall what Robbins says is true most of the time.Overall I enjoyed the book and all the way through it light bubles were going off in my head. Like "that's why that happnend" and "that's why things are the way they are". Most importantly the book really acted a as light at the end of the tunnel for me, and likely many others. Many people, especially those that are different, endured rough childhoods because of the way our schools are set up and even just becasuse humans are natural conformist/anti outsider social creatures. Knowing that their isn't actually anything wrong with you, actually quite the opposite their is many things right with you, gives people a much needed breath of fresh air and confidence boost.This book was one of the most imporant books I ever read in my life, quite literally helped save my life and really helped me get that inner self confidence and self worth that helped me relize my full potential. I wish I had read this in kindergarten, my life would have gotten better a lot sooner. In fact every child should have to read this book.I would recommend you check out the short paradoy video "It Doesn't Get Better" which speaks to the core concept in this book. Also the article "Why Nerds Are Unpopular" is a good read.5/5 Stars! Buy it, you won't regret it.

A must read for any educator or parent! You ever wonder why your kids do some of the things they do just to fit in? "Geeks" unpacks the baggage we have all tried to forget from middle school and high school. Quirk Theory is so simple, yet it still covers it all. You will think, "why didn't I write this book!?"For anyone who grew up on the fringe of the cafeteria, you will find yourself saying, "that was me! I wonder why those kids did that to me?" Well, Robbins answers those questions for you when she examines why popular kids are so mean. You will find some insight into those mean behaviors and possibly even begin to feel sorry for them. It's cheaper than therapy and might work just as well.Alexandra Robbins' "Geeks" is a case study of seven individuals who exemplify Robbins' Quirk Theory. Quirk theory states that the same characteristics that make students outcasts in school make them interesting, successful adults. As an educator and parent this book offers the valuable lesson of promoting a child's individuality and celebration of nonconformity. Robbins urges us to commend free thinkers and those that challenge high school norms. She pushed the adults who encounter these children, specifically parents and educators, to inspire these characteristics in all students. In hopes of diminishing the "us versus them mentality" that often dominates social interaction in high school.The book is interesting and easy to read as it reads more like a novel than the narrative research that it is. Each case study is a little story. The reader can't help but be captivated by these students' lives. No matter which "clique" you belonged to in high school, you will sympathize and relate to these characters.I would like to see this case study reviewed in 10 years to see where these individuals are and if their eccentric characteristics are now valued. The book offers examples of successful people who were outcasts in school such as Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie, Barbara Walters, and Einstein. However, it is not hard to find someone who is successful as an adult, and was also popular in high school. A follow up study would give her theory more weight.Each of the individual case studies is broken up into topic driven vignettes throughout the book. This allows the reader to struggle with each new concept by going back to examples based on familiar characters, which you begin to know like a member of the family. This style of alternating dense concepts with the often light hearted vignettes really helped with the speed of reading and the ease of understanding.Just as the book has you about to throw your hands in the air and declare "there is no hope," winter turns to spring. The characters begin discovering themselves and what works for them. Hope springs eternal and the future seems brighter, just like Quirk Theory suggests it will. The "Geeks" come into their own after school ends and they "shall inherit the earth."

A bit drawn out and repetitive at times. Great for any parent though. So many parents want their kids to conform. Individuality is far more important...but difficult to do through high school.

Really enjoyable book with a nice sociological slant. I read through it pretty fast and I thought it was well put together. Would recommend.