The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth

Social networking sites are an apparently indispensable resource for socializing but can intensify social scrutiny. Teens are naturally bolder online than face-to-face. Social networking sites affect self-esteem and well-being, according to studies. Teenagers can become preoccupied with how they appear to others.

In the aftermath of Columbine, the homogenization of children in American schools was enforced all the more vehemently. In fact, the killers were popular. Psychologists have observed in studies that cliques tend towards bigotry.                       

Blue is outraged that conformists have the most friends. He accepts his challenge from Robbins, which is to become friends with another group.

Danielle’s grades are being dragged down by her reticence to speak up. Her challenge is therefore to make an effort to talk to people outside of her immediate friendship group.

Noah wins the district swimming tournament. He accepts Robbins’ challenge to rally students across clique boundaries through a recycling drive.

The “populars” leave Whitney out of activities. She readily accepts Robbins’ challenge to mingle with other groups.

Eli’s mother pushes him to wear more fashionable clothes. His challenge is to take an improv class, but he declines, unhopeful that his social life could change.

Joy reports the girls who have been bullying her to the principal, Mr. Cruz, who calls them all into his office. Mia, one of the bullies, has herself been bullied, and promises not to “sweat” Joy again (200). Joy understands that “most bullies were hurt at some point and don’t want people to see that they’re weak” (201). The story of Rachel Scott, the first student killed in the Columbine shootings in Colorado, triggers Joy’s memory of the shooting she experienced years prior. Her challenge from Robbins is to break the ice with students of various cultures through acts of kindness.

Regan works at an LGBT youth center and plans to teach English at a school in Bangladesh. She will resign at the end of the school year. Many of Regan’s colleagues are openly unsupportive of LGBT students. Regan attempts to use the Diversity Committee to start a Gay-Straight Alliance at the school as her challenge. She meets with resistance from staff members.