Nerdy kids just want to fit in. Unfortunately, the media is awash in misleading messages about obtaining popularity. Here are a couple common examples of television’s knavish campaigns of disinformation:

1- Magic!
What better social device than a cool magic trick to attract the attention of all the hot girls? How can any woman not swoon at the classic disappearing coin illusion or expertly executed slight-of-hand? You’ll be the hit of the party with your crowd-pleasing mind reading games! (”Go ahead and pick a card, then place it back in the deck. Remember your card, but don’t tell me what it is…”) If you’ve watched the NBC television specials, you’ve no doubt seen master magician David Copperfield woo the ladies with his steely gaze, his smart wardrobe, and his mischievous grin. What screams “sensual” more than sawing a person in half with a gigantic circular saw? Nothing!

2- Karate!
If Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), the formidable Karate Kid taught us anything, it was that skinny, awkward kids could pull cheap shots on bigger dudes and wind up with the gorgeous chick in the end. If you’re ever in a tight spot, remember the wax-on wax-off technique. Failing that, you might hazard a crane kick. Look eye, Daniel-san, always look eye!”