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And I also mention talented athletes.


Ironic, isn't it? It's okay to be fantastically good at sports in American society, but as a kid, not so well-respected with being fantastically smart? It's really a cultural thing. I guess b/c for the most part, there's no way for public accolades for being smart, except for winning contests, but they don't happen two or three times a week as school sporting events do. Also, varsity athletes are separated from the general PE classes, so no one feels badly if they don't compete at the same level (well, certainly kids feel badly when they don't make the team, but the gym teacher never says why can't you be like so and so?)