The American acceptance of "popularity" as a necessity at school seems to stifle creativity, doesn't it?

Question

Britain always copies America in everything, eg. we have proms and Trick-or-Treat now, but I think the school system seriously affects your weirdos' ability to create the best comedy/art/music. I worry for young US creatives, in Britain we seem freer, though the US obviously rules drama, individuality is important in comedy, which may be why Rich Hall, Reginald D Hunter and Bill Hicks first broke in the UK. Maybe a Democrat government would help...

Answer 1

I have to say, there's a myth that school is all about popularity that I did not really see in high school (a little in Middle School, though.)

Basically, in my High School, there were no stereotypically popular kids. There were a couple people who everyone knew and liked, and these were usually because they were just nice, quiet, friendly people about whom there was nothing to dislike. Typically, everyone was part of one or two little cliques, and perhaps within a clique some people might be obsessed with popularity or think someone was especially popular, but once away from their own group that wouldn't be the case anymore. Basically, everyone in that school was a big ol' loser.

If you have ever seen the show "Daria" that used to run on MTV, I actually think that (in the first season or two) most accurately portrayed life in an American High School. Daria is not actively shunned by most people and in fact knows and spends time with several folks who would, classically, be inclined to abuse her more greatly.

If anything is stifling American creativity in the schools, it's the staff, who are more worried about zero tolerance policies and politics than in the students.